It's Denver time again!

Once again, as Christmas approaches, that means the traditional beginning of the new Cattle Industry Year is about to begin: Denver's National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is right around the corner.

Beginning the second week of January, 2009, the National Western traditionally ushers in the new year in the cattle business. Always followed directly by first, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association annual convention--and the stock shows in Ft. Worth and then Houston--the die is usually cast for the rest of the year.

Denver is where the major players in the business gather first in the new year, each year. They'll see each other at the subsequent events, but the fresh, new wine comes out in Denver. The latest cattle styles are on display for the first time in the livestock shows, the latest industry chatter is still new at Denver time, and the prices that will carry over in the spring sales are first set in Denver.

They used to call the now defunct Mile High Kennel Club in Denver "the Big Store." The voter approval of casino gambling in the Colorado mountains drove the nails in the coffin of para-mutual dog and horse racing in the city, but the National Western has always been much more deserving of the Big Store designation anyway.

Not only the livestock on display and for sale, but the international power brokers who attend from 67 or more countries, come to Denver because that's where the first action is each year, where it all begins.

Read all about it in the Record Stockman's National Western Program Issue, enclosed as section two in this week's paper.

More importantly, in these challenging economic times, you don't want to miss being on the scene yourself, at the 2009 National Western, this year--of all years--to see the beef industry pull through one more time.

It will, and you certainly want to be a part, and not miss out on the fun.