March/April 2024 Sire Edition

have always believed that if you are going to chase after a dream or a goal, do it for the glorification of God. My name is Bradie Midcap, and I was fortunate to be the Junior College High Individual at the 2024 NWSS. I am the daughter of Nate and JoLynn Midcap. Originally from Wray, Colorado, I grew up on a Sim- Angus seedstock cow-calf operation and showed Simmental heifers, show steers and hogs. Currently, I am a sophomore on the livestock judging team at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas where I will be receiving degrees in Agriculture, Ag Business, and Liberal Arts. When I was 8 years old, I nervously entered my first Livestock Judging Contest through the Yuma County, Colorado 4-H program and I have found a burning passion for it ever since. I always loved showing heifers, steers, and hogs at county, state, and national levels, but livestock judging allowed me to pursue another side of the livestock industry. In my early

While showing at Simmental Junior Nationals, I met my future Coach Taylor Frank, and within that one conversation, I knew that Butler Community College needed to be on my short list for college visits. After my first visit to El Dorado, I knew Butler would be my home away from home and committing to livestock judging there led me to more opportunities than I thought were possible. I am grateful for everything I have learned while being at Butler, and the success that has come from the hard work instilled by Coach Taylor. Butler being named the High Team at the 2023 NAILE, has been the highlight of my time on the team High Individual at the National Western is a dream come true. I have been showing in Denver since I was 9 years old. The Superbowl of Stock Shows is “in our backyard.” My Great Grandfather, Don Norgren was a mainstay and a visionary that helped make the National Western famous, Denver holds a special place in my

heart. I started my show career in front of the iconic green chairs. It was humbling to be High Individual at such a profound place. I have the National Western to thank for continuously feeding my passion for the livestock industry. I’d like to thank my family, 4-H and Collegiate Coaches, teammates, and numerous community members for always pushing me and for the support throughout my judging career. I know that it is through God’s graces that I have this opportunity. After graduation from Butler Community College in May, I plan to continue my academic and judging career at Texas Tech University and major in Animal Science. Through my extended education, I plan to study cattle reproduction and start a herd of my own. I am excited for my next steps within the livestock industry, and to hopefully continue my passion for livestock judging and raising cattle throughout it. ●

253

4-H years, I did not have a steady coach or team, so I heavily relied on my dad and local successful livestock community members to help further my knowledge. These efforts bore fruit as I was the High Individual at the Colorado State 4-H contest in 2020 and again in 2022. Also in 2022, my final 4-H year, I was fortunate enough to join a great Colorado team, winning the Colorado State Team contest, and sending the team to the National 4-H contest in Louisville, Kentucky. With great coaching and even better teammates, the team was 3rd High Overall in Kentucky, and gladly accepted the opportunity to attend the Livestock Judging Contest in Edinburgh, Scotland at the Royal Highland Show.

Powered by