The Cortez Elks Lodge was a sea of Stetsons and smiling women on Saturday night as over 350 members of the Southwest Colorado Livestock Association and their families gathered to celebrate and honor the area's ranching and farming industry.
"To do this and honor these people is amazing," said volunteer Jen McCabe. "The Cattleman of the Year is awesome, and they work their butts off every year to get this."
Rancher Wayne Goodall of Lewis was named Stockman of the Year and Tammy Russell of Lewis was named Cowbelle of the Year.
Goodall, born and raised in the Lebanon area, worked in the oil fields in his younger days and through his late-father developed a love for farming and ranching. Through his oil field work, he was able to purchase one Hereford cow each month with his earnings and eventually built his herd to 20 head of mother cows by the time he married and started his family. In 1967, Goodall and his wife purchased a small farm in Lewis. Over the course of a decade he grew his knowledge of the market as well as his herd. Today, Goodall raises Black Angus bulls, heifers as well as market beef. His herd today stands at 140 mother cows and the Livestock Association says the farm is known for its high quality Black Angus bulls.
"I was very surprised," said a smiling Wayne Goodall after the banquet, among a herd of fellow ranchers eager to congratulate him, shake his hand or pat him on the back.
Tammy Russell, Cowbelle of the Year, is a Dolores native who also lives in Lewis with her husband and family. Russell was praised for her love of farm life and fun personality. A story was told where Russell revived a near-death calf that couldn't walk, stand or drink by force feeding it milk, and nursing it back to wellness. Since, Russell has raised many doggie calves, as well as her own three children. She is also the grandmother of four. Russell has been involved with the Cowbelles for five years and has served as an officer, helped with the Blood Drive, Ag Expo, Home & Garden Show, bereavement outreach, among other efforts.
"She's just awesome," said Cowbelle Paula Neal. "She somebody who's always willing to help and is just so good."
Like Goodall, Russell was taken aback to be honored by her peers.
"I am so honored and so surprised," said Russell. "I love the Cowbelles and love what they stand for."
Another highlight of the evening was the auction of the Cowbelles brand quilt, a special quilt this year made from once-forgotten blocks of former member Jackie Wallace. After Wallace passed away, the blocks were discovered and the Cowbelle's decided to make a quilt honoring Wallace and her husband, as well as other 28 other ranching families.
"Many of these families are no longer with us," said Neal.
Auctioneer Larry Don Suckla got the bidding started at $1,200, and within minutes, hands shot up around the room and as the price tag rose to $5,400.
The winning bidder was Doug Aiken, executive vice president of Dolores State Bank.
For Aiken, the impetus to bid on the quilt was more than just contributing to the scholarship fund, it was about securing a piece of family history.
"My grandparents brand was on that quilt," Aiken said after the bid war.
Neal said that the $5,400 winning bid was a record for a Cowbelles quilt.
"We've never had a bid so high," she said.
