Gary Lake Elected President of Mountain States Affiliate
By Randy Witte
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Gary Lake
President, MSTLA
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Gary Lake was elected president of Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association at the MSTLA Christmas party and meeting in Palmer Lake, Colo., December 13. Gary has worked in the Longhorn industry for more than 35 years, beginning with the Dickinson Cattle Co. prior to the company's move to Ohio in 1997.
He is the man who trained the famous bull Zhivago to ride. Today he is a partner with Silverado Ranch / Searle Ranch, with Stan and Lorna Searle of Monument, Colorado. Gary is also well known throughout Longhorn circles for his expertise in livestock photography and for his entertaining and informative talks on "Predictable Genetics."
He continues to ram-rod crowd-pleasing Longhorn cattle drives through busy cities, and is respected as a cowboy who can always get the job done. He and his wife, Donna, live at Ellicott, Colo., east of Colorado Springs.
Other MSTLA officers and directors include Vice Pres. John Nelson of Wellington, Colo., Treasurer Darlene Nelson of Wellington, Secretary Katie Belle Miller of Peyton, Colo., plus directors, all Coloradans, Clyde Peek of Franktown, Art Caldwell of Canon City, Ron Jones of Salida, Josh Miller of Peyton, and J.R. Matott of Castle Rock.
The MSTLA is closely associated with Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association, the TLBAA affiliate. In fact most members belong to both affiliates. For that reason, both MSTLA and MPTLA presented a plaque of recognition and thanks to Gary Cole of Penrose, Colo., who is stepping back after a life-time of commitment to the Longhorn industry.
Gary recently sold his riding steers-familiar at Longhorn shows and parades for many years-and he and his wife, Kay, are in "retirement mode." The plaque was presented to Gary at the opening of the MSTLA meeting by out-going MSTLA Pres. Clyde Peek and current MPTLA Pres. Kenny Richardson of Greeley, Colorado.
Topics discussed at the meeting included the National Western Texas Longhorn Show in Denver, Jan. 23-24, and the High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale in Fort Collins, Colo., April 18.
Consignments for registered cattle in the sale are due February 15. Forms and more information are available on the website:www.highplainslonghornsale.com. Contact persons are John and Darlene Nelson, Cloverbloom Ranch, 51361 Weld Co. Rd. 17, Wellington, CO 80549; or Darlene @jdncos.com; ph. 970-897-2444.
As incoming president, Gary Lake spoke to the gathering and outlined his agenda for the year.
"I see my job as encouraging vision and cooperation throughout the membership toward providing opportunities that relate to Texas Longhorn cattle," he said. "We as an association need to encourage the expansion of the Longhorn market in our local areas, provide support for individual breeders to improve the quality and success of their operations, and to make/keep the MSTLA an organization that considers the historic values of the American West, faith, family, fairness and honesty in business, plus the care and proliferation of the Longhorn breed."
The expansion of the Longhorn market depends on several things, he said.
"First, we need the help of all Longhorn breeders new and old in the Rocky Mountain area, which will require each of us to promote membership in our association. Second, we must continue to promote the value of the Longhorn both as a valuable commodity in the beef industry and as the ultimate western heritage in the pasture," he continued.
"Breeder support should be the motto of any breed association.... MSTLA must provide opportunities for new breeders to grow in knowledge and appreciation for the Longhorn, and encourage long-time operations to continue doing what they do best. Co-op marketing, showcase events and quality meetings with valuable seminars are just a few things that can help.
"Certainly the most important aspect of MSTLA has been and always should be the value that it places on family, friendships and helping each other be successful," he concluded.
Gary's future plans, while directed at those attending the meeting, might deserve consideration in other affiliates. He intends to institute a Top Herd award at the end of the year. Anyone in the region who wishes to host one of six affiliate meetings-and provide six of their top animals for members to judge during the meeting-will be in the running for the award. The highest composite score over the year will win the Top Herd award.
"The result should be an encouragement to all breeders to be a part of the MSTLA," he said. "It will encourage individuals to be correct judges of cattle, theirs and others, which will result in herd improvement across the board."
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Gary Lake (left) posed with those who attended the December MSTLA meeting and Christmas party. Back row, from left, are Josh Miller, Jeff Widdows, Jordan Widdows, John Nelson, Clyde Peek, Kenny Richardson, Stan Searle, J.R. Matott and Norm Fillmore. Middle row, from left, are Katie Belle Miller, Barb Fillmore, Darlene Nelson, Karen Richardson, Kay Cole and Gary Cole. Seated, from left, are Donna Lake, Lana Pearson, Ginny Peek, Marsha Witte and Randy Witte.
You can find the bylaws which guide the Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association via the link below:
PLEASE CLICK HERE