Live Stocker Show Results Announced

By Scout Nelson

The Flint Hills Beef Fest in Emporia announced its 2025 award results, with grand awards determined by the best combined finish in the grass futurity and the live stocker show. The program showcased pasture performance, ring evaluation, and gains achieved from late April through mid-August.

In the live stocker show, the grand award steers placed first among pens. A second-place pen from Emporia followed, and a third-place pen from Spring Creek Ranch of Cassoday rounded out the division. In the heifer division, the grand award pen of three earned first place, with Spring Creek Ranch taking second and Lazy S Ranch of Matfield Green placing third. Judges emphasized structure, muscle, condition, and projected red meat yield across classes.

Grass futurity results highlighted disciplined management and favorable grazing conditions. All entries were on pasture from late April through mid-August and were ranked by adjusted gain on grass. Sharps Creek Ranch of Cottonwood Falls entered the champion steers in this division, recording an average daily gain of 2.88 pounds. The grand award steer entry placed second at 2.86 pounds per day, followed by RNL Farms of LeRoy at 2.79 pounds per day.

The heifer grass futurity was led by the grand award pen at 2.58 pounds of average daily gain. Lazy S Ranch placed second at 2.46 pounds per day, and Haun Ranch of Fall River earned third at 2.36 pounds per day. Combined with live ring rankings, these metrics determined the overall champions and offered a clear view of cattle that excel both on grass and in projected cutability.

The event underscored how metrics from pasture and live evaluations offer a fuller picture of value. The grass futurity recognizes efficient gain, while the live show benchmarks phenotype and expected cutout. Together, they reward cattle that convert forage into saleable red meat.

The awards guide future breeding, nutrition, and marketing plans. Attendees also heard about the hosting ranch’s facilities, including development lots and the calving barn, and were encouraged to review the official proceedings for complete results. The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Huvepharma sponsored the event.

Photo Credit:kansas-livestock-foundation