The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) hosted more than 70 youth exhibitors and their families at the 29th annual North Dakota Junior Beef Expo (NDJBE) June 21-22 at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, N.D.
“The Junior Beef Expo was started to get more youth interested and involved in the beef industry,” said NDJBE Chairman Trey Klain. “I enjoyed watching the relationships and skills fostered throughout the contests over the weekend.”
On Friday, exhibitors participated in a beef trivia cornhole tournament. The objective was to provide beef education in a fun, yet competitive, game. Caleb and Ethan Schwab of Englevale, N.D., made up the champion cornhole team. The reserve champion cornhole team was Cutler Schaunaman of Ashley, N.D. and Layne Korgel of Minot. The third place honors went to Kindle Carlson of Finley, N.D. and Brady Haugen of Hannaford, N.D.
The cattle show began Saturday morning. Seventy-three heifers representing 10 breeds, one commercial cow-calf pair and 13 market animals were exhibited, followed by the pee wee, junior and senior showmanship competitions.
Tyler Schaefer of Des Lacs, N.D., exhibited the supreme champion female, MPJ GDL Ellie 329, an April 25, 2023, daughter of Colburn Primo 5153, which was first the champion Angus female. Zane Lodoen of Westhope, N.D., exhibited the reserve champion female, GBSF I Love Lucy 2307L, a Feb. 2, 2023, daughter of SO Remedy 7F, which was first the champion Sim-influence female. Kodi Alford of Plaza, N.D., exhibited the champion market animal, a steer weighing 1,280 pounds on show day. Calli Schaunaman of Ashley exhibited the reserve champion market animal, a steer weighing 1,233 pounds on show day. Elizabeth Hanson of Velva, N.D., exhibited the champion cow-calf pair, Koda, with a Jan. 3, 2024, heifer calf, Mabel, at her side.
Other heifer breed champions included the following:
Champion American Aberdeen Female: Kyle Best of Watford City, N.D.;
Champion Charolais Female: Bennett Mrnak of Bowman, N.D.;
Champion Commercial Female: Macey Miller of Minot;
Champion Hereford Female: Ellis Mrnak of Bowman;
Champion Lim-Flex Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva;
Champion Mainetainer Female: Bergen Bullinger of Dickinson, N.D.;
Champion Red Angus: Colbie Furstenau of Cavalier, N.D.; and
Champion Simmental Female: Carter Sys of Douglas, N.D.
In the showmanship competitions, Bennett Mrnak of Bowman won pee wee showmanship, Layton Mrnak of Bowman won the junior showmanship division and Sydnee Johnson of Zap, N.D., won the senior division. Reserve champion showmen were Vance Mrnak of Bowman Connor Petersen of Bowbells, N.D., and Anna Petersen of Bowbells in the pee wee, junior and senior divisions, respectively.
Addie Schnabel judged the show. Schnabel is a native of Venturia, N.D., where he grew up on his family’s diversified livestock operation raising pigs, sheep, goats and cattle. Schnabel now resides in Medina, N.D., and is a farm tax accountant for AgCountry Farm Credit Services while working alongside his family on their operation.
Another NDJBE highlight included the Hardest Worker Award, which was presented to the Sys family of Douglas, Lilly Solemsaas of Sherwood, N.D., won another prestigious award, the NDSA Member Award, and $100 cash in the drawing. All NDSA-member exhibitors were eligible.
The NDJBE Planning Committee was composed of Haley Anderson of Lisbon, N.D., Trey Klain of Ruso, N.D., Cord LaPlant of Binford, N.D., Jayd Novak of Minot and Hope Willson of Wimbeldon, N.D.
“The Junior Beef Expo is just one example of how the NDSA focuses on young beef leaders and works to encourage youth as they become the next generation of agriculturists,” said Klain. “It is an excellent place for youth to participate, learn about the livestock industry and have some fun.”
Next year’s show is scheduled for June 28-29, 2025.
For more information about the NDJBE, contact NDSA Special Projects Director Jade Koski at (701) 223-2522 or jkoski@ndstockmen.org.
The NDJBE is a project of the NDSA Seedstock Council.
