Record-breaking low temperatures were reported during this year’s Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic, even as some events set record-high prices.

The bitterly cold temperatures were perfect for the show’s first-ever “Royal Ice” sale of frozen embryos, pregnancies, flushes and semen. A standing-room-only crowd paid an average of $2,215 for 36 lots of elite cattle seedstock. A prime rib dinner was served during this inaugural sale of frozen genetics.

Another standing-room-only crowd was reported at the Pen-of-Five Sale, where 25 sets of replacement heifers averaged $8,335 per pen. A record $18,000 was paid for John Anderson’s pen, from the Willow Creek Cattle Co. in Plainview.

The high-priced single animal was the $16,500 Champion Simmental heifer, sold by Gene Slama of Dorchester, to Grindstone Creek Farms, Columbia, Mo.

The 15th annual show, Feb. 21-26 in Kearney, showcased seedstock cattle from around Nebraska and the United States. The Supreme Heifer among the 14 breeds was a Chiangus shown by David and Jody Foster of Lockney, Texas. The buyer was T-T Cattle of Gresham. The Supreme Bull was sold by Nisley/Gana Shorthorn of Martell to Nate Kolterman of Seward.

Based on average sale prices, the top breed of heifers was Chiangus, which averaged $4,611, thanks to the $8,600 price on the Supreme Heifer. Chimaine heifers were not far behind, averaging $4,527.

Top bull money was also generated by Chiangus, averaging $3,894 per head, followed by Charolais bulls at $3,378.

The Classic’s second-annual working-dog show featured five dogs averaging $2,880.  At the equine sale, 26 horses sold for an average of $3,783 each. The Champion horse, consigned by A & B Cattle of Bassett, sold for $5,800 to Casey Seagren of Wellfleet. The Champion dog sold for $3,200 and the Reserve Champion sold for $3,600. Both were shown by Bryan Rice of Morrill.

The 2007 Classic will be held Feb. 20-25 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney.