Many of the top names in the Texas Longhorn Industry brought their beautiful Millennium Futurity eligible Texas Longhorns from far and wide to this year’s show and sale.

This year events were held in the Watt Arena at the Will Rogers complex in Fort Worth, where there was plenty of room, air conditioning and lots of things to do..

Millennium Futurity Manager Bill Davidson, Chandler, OK, called the shots from the auction block at the Watt Arena.

For newcomers to the Millennium Futurity, it got a little confusing as the mechanics of showing and selling cows in one swoop but with a keen ear and a few clarifications offered by the veterans of the Futurity it was easy to witness what was occurring.

Joe Graddy, Cottonwood, AL, explains the” in’s and out’s” of the Futurity to the Trails Editor Brenda Cantrell

Then right after the Longhorns were paraded into the ring, the judges were allowed time to critique the animals and award points on their clipboards.

Judging for Bulls began at 2 pm on Friday afternoon. The Heifer Sale took place at 7 pm that night. In between events throughout the weekend event Charlie Munn, a friend of Bill Davidson with a voice with hints of Willie Nelson, played country songs on his guitar and sang requests from the audience.

A real country picker, Charlie Munn played songs and took requests in between shows and sales

The Honorable 2006 Millennium Futurity Judges: BACK: Gueary Taylor, Yorktown, TX: Joel Lemley, Blackwell, TX: FRONT: Anita Wappler, Austin, TX; Dr. Bob Kropp, Perry, OK; and Kim Richey, San Angelo, TX

The Heifer Sale commenced on Friday night and totaled close to $225,000 this year with the high lot 34, Wiregrass Love Forever, going for $19,500 – sold by Joe Graddy of Cottonwood, AL and bought by Robert Fenza of West Chester, PA.

The second highest lot EOT Outback Marlita 418 sold for $13,000 by Mike and Debbie Bowman, Benton, KS and bought by George and Laureen Gennin, Madison, VA.

An important note to remember is that when the heifers were sold, the ownership papers were transferred that night and the buyers benefited from the winnings if the heifer they bought placed in the show the very next day. So, if a buyer was keen enough and had a bit of luck, they could walk away with a prize-winning Texas Longhorn and an award all in one weekend.

Futurity Manager: Bill Davidson, Founder: Ben Gravett and Futurity Partner: Joe Munsch

On Saturday, the Heifer Judging commenced and the dinner and awards banquet shortly followed. Attendees were treated to Texas barbequed beef brisket and pork with southern green beans, browned potatoes…and scrumptious desserts!

The $150,000 heifer EOT Outback Beauty, owned by Bill and Judy Meridith, Wellington, KS, and bred by Mike and Debbie Bowman, Benton, KS, won first place in Class 14.

2006 Millennium Futurity Breeder of the Year Mike Bowman with all his awards

Paul and Mari-Kathryn Braswell, Forestburg, TX, entered their bull EOT Cherrypicker’s King 421 and won Class 6. This was the Braswells first award in the futurity and they we very pleased with their bull’s placing.

Ann Gravett and Mari-Kathryn and Paul Braswell accepting their award for their prize-winning Bull EOT Cherrypicker’s King 421.

But show and sale results weren’t the only thing to report about this year’s Futurity. Immediately after showing, Dylan’s Diego Star went into labor – and with the assistance of Justin Rombeck, Kansas City, MO, and Darlene Aldridge, Somerville, TX – she gave birth to AW Millie’s Angel Star, a black and white patched heifer calf. The proud momma cleaned her newborn calf while the owners, Terri and Ernie Noey, Gladewater, TX, decided on the calf’s name.

Dylan’s Diego Star cleans her newborn calf, AW Millie’s Angel Star.

As for the show results, Joe Munsch, Emory, TX, walked away with the Top Exhibitor award and Mike Bowman of Benton, KS received the Top Breeder award.

The Top Exhibitor Joe Munsch receives his awards from Marilyn Wood and her daughter Lesley Weems.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Millennium Futurity and look for detailed coverage in the August Trails.

Here are some extra pictures from the 2006 Millennium Futurity:

Joe Munsch, Emory, TX, with TLBAA’s SuzAnn Spindor and the Top Volume Buyer Bill Hudson, Hattiesburg, MS.

The office staff kept the numbers straight for the buyers.

From left to right: Kristy Huggins, Sarah Huggins,

Schelly Thompson and Nancy De La Rosa.

-Cole Dowden