By Scout Nelson
The 94th Annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show brought together 4-H and FFA members from across the state to compete in market and breeding livestock events. Exhibitors showcased their skills and animals in cattle, swine, sheep, and goat divisions.
In the cattle competition, Brecken Bergkamp of Reno County exhibited the grand champion market steer, while Dax Seibert of Pawnee County earned reserve grand champion honors. The breeding heifer division was led by Stetson Moubry of Russell County, with Aubree McCurry of Reno County claiming reserve supreme champion recognition.
Moubry also topped the bred-and-owned breeding heifer division. Josie Beltz of McPherson County earned reserve supreme bred-and-owned honors with a Hereford heifer.
The swine division featured strong competition among market hog and breeding gilt exhibitors. Kate Heikes of Johnson County exhibited the grand champion market hog, while Kelltyn Grasser of Rice County showed the reserve grand champion.
Creo Spears of Dickinson County earned supreme champion breeding gilt honors, with Gentry Ward of Miami County securing reserve supreme recognition. Anah Higbie of Franklin County led the bred-and-owned gilt division, and Kannon Reiss of Wallace County earned reserve supreme honors.
In the sheep division, Cole Flower of Rooks County exhibited the grand champion market lamb, and Quinlyn Yoho of Woodson County earned reserve grand champion honors. Brecken Nelson of Greeley County exhibited the supreme champion breeding ewe.
Nelson also captured the top spot in the bred-and-owned ewe division. Colyer Williams of Reno County earned reserve supreme bred-and-owned honors with a Hampshire ewe.
The goat competition saw Ella Hoeltzel of Riley County exhibit the grand champion market goat, while Kodi McComb of Pratt County earned reserve champion honors. Avery Franklin of Reno County showed the supreme champion commercial doe, and Sadie Eggers of Woodson County claimed reserve supreme recognition.
The Kansas Junior Livestock Show continues to provide young livestock exhibitors with opportunities to develop leadership, animal husbandry, and showmanship skills through 4-H and FFA programs. The event also recognizes excellence in livestock production while supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Industry support remains an important part of the show's success, with sponsorship from organizations including Innovative Livestock Services, Cargill, Kansas State University, Kansas Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Trans Ova, and several other agricultural partners.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Kansas, Education, Livestock