Congratulations to the 2023 Beef Empire Days Live Show Top Feedlots

On June 6, the Finney County Fairgrounds in Garden City, Kansas, hosted the highly anticipated 2023 Beef Empire Days Merck Animal Health Live Show. This one-of-a-kind industry event featured local feedlots competing for top honours in both the live and carcass exhibits.

On the morning of the event, fat steers and heifers arrived in town and were individually evaluated by a judge before travelling to the processor. The entries will compete in the carcass show later in the week after they have been processed.

This year's judge was Kelly Bruns, Director of Research and Extension Operations at the West Central Research and Extension Centre in North Platte, Nebraska. With a background as a professor of animal science at South Dakota State University and coaching experience in livestock judging and meat animal evaluation, Bruns brought extensive expertise to the event.

The following are the top ten winners in the live show category for 2023:

Steers:

1. Tag 570 steers are fed by Sublette Feeders and are owned by Arndt Farms and Max Barkley.
2. Tag 663 - HRC fed, Arndt Cattle, HRC, and Lee Mayo owned.
3. Sunbelt Feeders, owned by Mid America, feeds Tag 685.
4. Tag 702 - Owned by Grabbe Farms and fed by Irsik and Doll.
5. Midwest Feeders Inc., controlled by JCS, GP, and Frank Harper, feeds Tag 696.
6. Tag 723 - Fed by Triangle H, Skelton Beef Co.
7. Tag 717 - Fed by Beef Belt LLC, Skelton Beef Co.
8. Sunbelt Feeders, owned by Mid America, feeds Tag 689.
9. Foote Cattle Co. owns Tag 680, which is fed by Lane County Feeders.
10. Tag 708 - Fed by Reeve Cattle Co., owned by Reeve Cattle Co.

Heifers:

1. Tag 527 is fed by Triangle H and is owned by Melvin Neugebauer.
2. Tag 493 is fed by Sunbelt Feeders and is owned by Mid America.
3. Tag 492 is fed by Sunbelt Feeders and is owned by Mid America.
4. Tag 490 - Fed by Turon Feedyard, owned by Turon Feedyard.
5. Tag 502 - Fed by Midwest Feeders Inc.
6. Tag 489 - Fed by Turon Feedyard, owned by Turon Feedyard.
7. Tag 528 - Fed by Triangle H, owned by Jess Whiteman
8. Tag 528 - Fed by Triangle H, owned by Jess Whiteman
9. Tag 481 - Fed by HRC, owned by Schurr, Schurr, and Krier
10. Tag 486 - Fed by Turon Feedyard, owned by Turon Feedyard

The Beef Empire Days Live Show not only showcases the impressive livestock from local feedlots but also recognizes the dedication and expertise of the participants. The event serves as a platform to celebrate excellence in the industry while fostering healthy competition and community engagement.

Photo Credit: GettyImages-SteveOehlenschlager