20 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2025 probably a big part of their legacy. The event showcases the beef genetics that are in the world and the elite livestock.” Bright Lights Shine Light on Connections Matt and Lacy Hebbert of Hebbert Charolais in Hyannis make the annual pilgrimage to the NWSS primarily for the sale, where they offer a pick of their breeding females. Every January, the family operation loads up the kids, who are the seventh generation on the ranch, and head west. The family has a long legacy of attending the NWSS. The family transitioned to a Charolais operation 43 years ago, but long before that, Matt’s grandparents, Mose and Merla Hebbert, took pens of feeder cattle to compete in the Yards. In 1980, they had the Grand Champion Pen of Feeder Calves. “There are some people that the only time we see them is at the Stock Show – good friends and other breeders,” Lacy says. “It’s just a good place to network and to meet new people. Very rarely do we walk into a pen of cattle or into their stalls and the people won’t come talk to you and just try to get to know you. And that applies to the sale ring, too. We have sold heifers that have gone all over Kansas, South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, and some stayed here in Nebraska. It’s just a great experience to make connections and see all of the hard work that people put into their cattle to go to the Stock Show.” They enjoy taking their two young sons, Dylan and Waylon, to the pen shows. “It is so fun to see the show through their eyes. It’s fun to watch them see a whole different side to the industry than what we’re used to,” Lacy adds. The connections made in the sale ring, in the Yards and on the Hill will last a lifetime. From livestock shows to rodeos to educational opportunities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For more information on the National Western Stock Show, which New construction and additions are popping up across the historic NWSS grounds. The National Western Stock Show grounds is getting a makeover. The most notable change is the addition of the National Western Center, which will be open year-round for events. The facility was built on the historic NWSS grounds and includes many of the original buildings that have been restored. The Colorado State University Spur is a three-building campus that will serve as an education center with focused topics including health, food and water, hoping to inspire future generations to explore a career in agriculture and related fields. NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 will be held January 11-26, 2025, visit www.nationalwestern.com. “It’s the brightest lights in the industry, and you get to go and get to see some extremely good cattle and really good cattlemen,” Rennert says. “I think the legacy is the Western heritage, the lifestyle, the meeting of the minds and the people that go there. It’s just a really great event.” ~NC~
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