2018 National Western Stock Show
& Annual Limousin Convention
Herdsman of the Year
Each year, Limousin exhibitors at the National
Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo.,
select one of their colleagues to receive the
prestigious Herdsman of the Year award. This is
an honor going to someone who shows pride
in his or her herd, prepares and displays cattle
for shows, is typically friendly to everyone, and
above all, hard working and loyal to the breed.
At the 2018 National Western Stock Show, Amber
Parkinson, Levelland, Texas, was named this
year’s Herdsman of the Year. The Limousin breed
is no stranger to Amber Lawrence Parkinson,
and she is no stranger to anyone in the breed.
Amber grew up in Anton, Texas, a small town
outside of Lubbock, on her parent’s large Limousin
ranch. She started showing her own heifers
when she was in third grade and still continues
today. Her dad, Bruce Lawrence, describes
Amber as someone who “was always great with
responsibilities, took pride in her showmanship,
and was always ready for a challenge.” Not only
was Amber a premier showman from the start, but
eventually went on to hold many leadership roles
within the breed. In her younger years, she served
as the last Texas Junior Limousin Association
Queen, president of the TJLA board, and was on
the NALJA board of directors for four years, serving
as president for one of the years. Amber has shown
at the National Western Stock Show since 1996
when she was 17 years old. In fact, at her first
National Western she stood last in her class then
went on to win the Fort Worth Junior Limousin
show with the same heifer two weeks later.
After graduating from Anton High School, she
went to Texas Tech University and graduated
with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Communications
and a minor in Animal Science. After college,
Amber went to work for the family farm along
with another ranch before pursuing a career as
a County Extension Agent for 16 years. During
this time, one would often see Amber at various
58 | MARCH 2018
2018 Limousin herdsman award winner: Amber Parkinson,
pictured with her husband, Johnny Parkinson, and sons, Tucker
and Colt.
stock shows, big and small, with numerous
kids from her county that she mentored and
trained to be as hard working and diligent as
she is. However, back in October, Amber made
the move back to working for Lawrence Family
Limousin to spend more time with her husband
and sons and help expand the LFL operation as
herdsman. She manages the show barn and assists
in all the cow side duties from registrations and
tattoos, to ultra sound and embryo transfers. She
currently serves on the TLA board of directors,
and with the help of her husband, has faithfully
served as the Texas Junior Limousin advisor
and does an amazing job organizing activities
and managing the TJLA state field day.
Earning the herdsman award has been a
goal of Amber’s since she began showing in
Denver many years ago; she comments, “Being
selected herdsman is a huge honor. There are
many deserving people and an elite group
that have won this award in the past. However,
it takes a crew for the cattle to look their best
and I am grateful for all the crew working
hard to make that happen.” Amber has been
married to Johnny Parkinson for 16 years and
they have two sons, Tucker and Colt. I