HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Youth from across the state came to Hutchinson to compete for cash premiums and scholarships during the 91st Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS), September 29-October 1. The event featured 648 4-H and FFA members exhibiting 1,347 head of livestock.
Molly Gilliland from Cheyenne County led the grand champion market steer, a 1,320 lb. crossbred entry. Her steer bested a field of 109 in the show, which was sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Pre-determined cash premiums were awarded to the top five animals in both the market and breeding shows for all four species. Gilliland received a $4,000 premium for her steer. The reserve champion steer, weighing 1,360 lbs., came from the Charolais division and was owned by Kinsley Gillig of Marshall County, who received a $2,000 premium for her steer. Third overall, worth $1,000, went to the champion Maine-Anjou steer owned by Grady Vance from Scott County. Placing fourth overall and earning a $750 premium was the reserve champion crossbred exhibited by Dax Seibert of Pawnee County. Fifth went to the champion Chianina steer owned by Jansen Gerstner from Marshall County. Gerstner earned $500 for her steer. Jacob Wendland of Riley County led the reserve champion Charolais steer. Dax Seibert from Pawnee County entered the reserve champion Maine-Anjou. The reserve champion Chianina steer was exhibited by Jody Mead of Reno County. James Hoffman from Atchison County showed the champion Angus steer, with Eli Atkisson of Rooks County owning the reserve. Dustin Denton from Marshall County exhibited the champion Hereford steer. The reserve Hereford steer was shown by Drew Ballard of Reno County. The champion Limousin steer was owned by Brig Corwine of Osage County. Levi Schumacher from Ellis County led the reserve champion Limousin. Cassidy Dalquest of Morris County showed the champion Shorthorn steer. The reserve champion was led by Chloe Daniels of Allen County. The champion Shorthorn Plus steer was exhibited by Grace Meier of Marion County. Reece Ferguson from Franklin County showed the reserve champion Shorthorn Plus. The champion Simmental steer was led by Brek Colantonio of Stevens County, with reserve going to an entry from Laura Wingert of Franklin County. Bella Kratzer of Grant County owned the champion all-other-breeds (AOB) steer. The reserve was exhibited by Tara Mueller from Lincoln County.
Teagan Deyoe of Grant County led her Mainetainer female to supreme champion honors in the breeding heifer show, sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Deyoe was awarded a $1,000 premium. Reserve supreme champion, worth a $750 premium, went to a Percentage Simmental heifer owned by Kinley Stoughton from Russell County. There were 231 heifers entered in the show. Third overall, which earned $500, went to the champion Angus heifer shown by Kelsey Theis of Leavenworth County. Dustin Denton from Marshall County showed the fourth overall heifer, which was the champion commercial and earned $400. Fifth overall, worth $300, was the champion AOB heifer exhibited by Molly McCurry of Reno County. The reserve champion in the Mainetainer division was led by Cole Flower from Rooks County. Emma Karst of Russell County owned the reserve Percentage Simmental. The reserve Angus was shown by Jody Mead from Reno County. Lindsey Scheck from Ellis County exhibited the reserve commercial heifer. The reserve AOB heifer was owned by Baylor Deyoe of Grant County. The champion Charolais was led by Lincoln Martin of Ford County, with the reserve being shown by Kirbie Koons from Kearny County. The champion Percentage Charolais heifer was exhibited by Cole Flower of Rooks County. Kimber McCormick from Ford County led the reserve champion. The champion Chianina heifer was shown by Blake LaPean of Johnson County. Isom Marston from McPherson County owned the reserve champion. Cody Brown from Geary County exhibited the champion Gelbvieh/Balancer heifer. The reserve went to an entry from Kaycee Brown of Geary County. Dustin Denton from Marshall County led the champion Hereford heifer. The reserve was owned by Jase Beltz from McPherson County. The champion Limousin heifer was shown by Sadie Eggers of Woodson County. Ashley Schrag from McPherson County led the reserve champion. The champion Maine-Anjou heifer was exhibited by Harper Conine of Scott County. Brecken Bergkamp from Reno County owned the reserve champion. The champion Red Angus heifer was shown by Camden Rietcheck from Johnson County. Liam Hermann-Kesinger of Marion County led the reserve champion. Garnering champion honors in the Shorthorn division was an entry from Cami Miller of Butler County, with Ciera Steinlicht of Jefferson County owning the reserve. Harper Conine from Scott County exhibited the champion Shorthorn Plus heifer. The reserve was shown by Kaley Chambers of Clay County. The champion Simmental heifer was owned by Kirbie Stroup from Linn County. Tyra Meyer of Lincoln County led the reserve Simmental heifer.
In the senior beef showmanship division, Hayden Englert of Washington County was champion. Reserve went to Rylie Meinhardt from Pottawatomie County. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Cady Pieper, Rooks County; Jody Mead, Reno County; and Cami Miller, Butler County. In the intermediate division, Avery Mullen from Grant County was named champion showman. Maylee Reece from Kearny County was reserve. Completing the top five, in order of finish, were Torbin LaPean, Johnson County; Jaylynn Birk, Woodson County; and Dalton Pattimore, Johnson County. The champion showman in the junior division was Molly McCurry of Reno County. Reserve was awarded to Devyn Frost from Jewell County. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Chase Jones, Pottawatomie County; Hallie Mullen, Grant County; and Braelynn Reed, Miami County.
Jenna DeRouchey of Pottawatomie County guided her 282 lb. dark crossbred to the grand champion market hog title, which earned her $2,000. A 286 lb. dark crossbred owned by Allayna Moore from Douglas County was reserve grand champion hog of the 143-head show. Moore’s hog garnered a $1,500 premium. Third overall, worth $1,000, went to Gentry Ward of Miami County, with her champion light AOB barrow. Kyser Nemecek from Allen County owned the reserve champion light AOB that placed fourth overall and earned $750. Fifth overall, earning a $500 premium, was the champion Berkshire exhibited by Jenna DeRouchey from Pottawatomie County. The reserve Berkshire was shown by Anah Higbie of Franklin County. Jacob McVey from Montgomery County drove the champion Duroc, with Corinne Nelson of Greenwood County owning the reserve. The champion Hampshire was guided by Jacob DeRouchey from Pottawatomie County. Alexis Hummel, also of Pottawatomie County, exhibited the reserve Hampshire. In the Poland China division, Tucker Goss from Ellsworth County owned the champion, while Alec Williams of Gray County showed the reserve. Ryan Mongeau from Rooks County drove the champion Spot and the reserve was exhibited by Jaxson Bogdahn of Elk County. The champion Yorkshire went to an entry from Reed Hurt of Neosho County, with reserve exhibited by Kambrin Newberry of Harper County. Carly Dreher from Allen County showed the champion light crossbred barrow. The reserve was owned by Brady Hurt of Neosho County.
An entry from the commercial division, owned by Lincoln Martin of Ford County, was named supreme champion in the 202-head gilt show. Martin received a $750 premium for the gilt. Taylor Baetz from Osborne County exhibited the reserve supreme, a commercial gilt worth $600. Third overall and earning $500 was the champion light AOB gilt owned by Addison Allen from Johnson County. In fourth was the Berkshire champion, which garnered $350 and was exhibited by Jacob DeRouchey from Pottawatomie County. Marley Sutton from Bourbon County guided the fifth overall gilt, which was the reserve champion light AOB. The gilt earned a $250 premium. The reserve champion in the Berkshire division was exhibited by Kyser Nemecek of Allen County. Travis Oliver from Finney County drove the champion Duroc, with Tayte Leck of Wilson County owning the reserve. In the Hampshire division, Brogan Stamm from Wabaunsee County exhibited the champion gilt. The reserve champion was owned by Gracie Bailey from Leavenworth County. Champion honors in the Poland China division went to an entry from Alexis Hummel of Pottawatomie County, with the reserve being guided by Kenzi Martinez of Scott County. Bentley Ellis from Franklin County owned the champion Spot gilt, while McKenna Bueker of Miami County exhibited the reserve. The champion Yorkshire was shown by Kate Heikes from Johnson County. Hadley Huseman of Ellsworth County drove the reserve. Wyatt Dorr from Coffey County guided the champion dark AOB gilt, with Kasen Stramel from Wallace County owning the reserve.
Kyser Nemecek of Allen County was named champion in senior swine showmanship. The reserve champion was Mary Caenen from Leavenworth County. Completing the top five, in placing order, were Jacob DeRouchey, Pottawatomie County; Wyatt Requa, Harvey County; and Taylor Baetz, Osborne County. In the intermediate division, Gavin Smith of Grant County was awarded the champion title. Reserve was Kate Heikes from Johnson County. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Harvick Sowers, Finney County; Ty Ebert, Ottawa County; and Cheyanne Davis, Shawnee County. Kinley Heikes of Johnson County was named champion in the junior division. The reserve champion was Ella Smith from Grant County. Completing the top five, in placing order, were Matthan Oltman, Greenwood County; Emersyn Chapman, Miami County; and Mason Ebert, Ottawa County.
Allyson Rietcheck from Johnson County exhibited the grand champion market lamb, a 161 lb. entry from the blackface division that earned a $2,000 premium. The reserve grand champion market lamb, a 147 lb. blackface, was shown by Colyer Williams of Reno County. The lamb earned $1,000. Third overall, also from the blackface division, was owned by Lakin Nash from Labette County, and garnered $900. The market lamb earning fourth overall and a premium of $600 was a blackface led by Emery Yoho of Woodson County. Rounding out the top five was another lamb from the blackface division, which garnered $300 and was exhibited by Carter Watson of Douglas County. The champion Dorset lamb was shown by Quinlyn Yoho from Woodson County. Morgan Harvey of Butler County led the reserve. Macey Lewis from Allen County owned the champion Hair lamb. The reserve was exhibited by Henry Hays of Douglas County. In the Southdown division, Ty Jones of Wabaunsee County owned the champion, with reserve going to an entry from Avery Franklin of Reno County. The champion Speckled lamb was led by Quinlyn Yoho of Woodson County. Carter Nash from Labette County showed the reserve. The market lamb show, which featured 175 head, was sponsored by Cargill.
The supreme registered breeding ewe, garnering a $500 premium, was the champion Dorset shown by Emery Yoho from Woodson County. The reserve supreme champion ewe was the champion Dorset Advantage led by Alice Hill of Dickinson County, who received a $300 premium for the ewe. Third overall, worth $200, was the champion AOB ewe owned by Brecken Nelson from Greeley County. The champion Hampshire and fourth overall registered breeding ewe, earning $100, was shown by Carter Watson of Douglas County. Kacey Butler from Geary County led the reserve Dorset that finished fifth overall and received a $50 premium. Aidan Cunningham of Miami County owned the reserve Dorset Advantage lamb. The reserve Hampshire was exhibited by Brecken Nelson of Greeley County. Emery Yoho from Woodson County showed the reserve AOB. The champion Southdown was led by Esmeralda Franklin of Linn County. Mary Habjan from Leavenworth County owned the reserve Southdown. The champion ewe from the Suffolk division was exhibited by Brayden Robinson of Finney County, with Colten Abeldt from Dickinson County exhibiting the reserve Suffolk. There were 63 head shown.
A ewe led by Karli Neher from Ellis County bested 129 others to take supreme champion honors in the commercial breeding ewe show. Neher’s ewe garnered a $500 premium. Owning the reserve supreme, worth $400, was Esmeralda Franklin of Linn County. The third overall commercial ewe, earning $300, was exhibited by Keitra Edwards of Marion County. A ewe led by Kinley Pfannenstiel from Ellis County claimed fourth overall and earned $200. Fifth overall was a commercial ewe exhibited by Carter Nash of Labette County, who received a $100 premium. Cargill sponsored both breeding ewe shows.
In the senior sheep showmanship division, Esmeralda Franklin from Linn County was named champion. Reserve champion was Keitra Edwards of Marion County. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Karli Neher, Ellis County; Jordan Sylvester, Pottawatomie County; and Allyson Rietcheck, Johnson County. Brecken Nelson of Greeley County took home top honors in the intermediate division. Reserve went to Colyer Williams from Reno County. Rounding out the top five, in placing order, were Kinley Pfannenstiel, Ellis County; Brynn Boggs, Reno County; and Katie Aubert, Wabaunsee County. In the junior division, Harper Gouldie of Reno County was named champion showman. Laytynn Boggs from Reno County took home reserve. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Cole Flower, Rooks County; Hadley Jones, Wabaunsee County; and Graham Williams, Reno County.
Brig Corwine of Osage County received grand champion honors and a $2,000 premium for his 98 lb. entry in the 150-head market goat show, sponsored by Cargill. Kodi McComb from Pratt County showed the reserve grand champion market goat, which weighed 110 lbs. and earned $1,000. Third, worth $750, went to a goat shown by Lakyn Rookstool of Pottawatomie County. Dyson Winfrey from Haskell County showed the fourth-place market goat and earned $500. Fifth overall was an entry from Cedar Caruso of Linn County that brought $400.
Jaci Falkenstien from Labette County showed the supreme champion and reserve supreme champion commercial does. Her entries bested 141 others to claim the honor and earn $750 and $500, respectively. Third overall went to an entry from Kodi McComb of Pratt County, which was worth $400. Chosen for fourth was a commercial doe also owned by Kodi McComb that earned $300. Fifth overall, worth $200, was a doe shown by Reece Ingvoldsen of Cowley County. Cargill also sponsored the commercial doe show.
Reece Ingvoldsen was the top showman in senior goat showmanship. Jaci Falkenstien of Labette County was reserve. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Karli Neher, Ellis County; Kodi McComb, Pratt County; and Dyson Winfrey, Haskell County. In the intermediate division, Lakyn Rookstool of Pottawatomie County was champion. Abigail Morales from Finney County was awarded reserve. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Brecken Nelson, Greeley County; Avery Franklin, Reno County; and Braden Gillespie, Anderson County. Graham Williams of Reno County was named champion in the junior division. Heidi Mengarelli from Crawford County was awarded reserve. Following grand and reserve, in placing order, were Pyper Ferris, Dickinson County; Bo Doll, Washington County; and Lainey Hager, Miami County.
KJLS presented $23,450 in scholarships to 13 exhibitors. Those receiving $2,500 scholarships were Parker Dicks of Barton County and Laura Wingert from Franklin County. Two students were awarded $2,200 scholarships, including Jordan Sylvester, Wabaunsee County, and Cally Miller, Butler County. Brady Hoffman of Sedgwick County and Baylor Deyoe from Grant County each received a $2,000 scholarship. Three exhibitors awarded $1,750 stipends were Ashley Ward, Miami County; Noah Goss, Ellsworth County; and Kaylen Langhofer, Meade County. Those receiving $1,200 scholarships included Kylie Rogers, Miami County; Bryce Hatfield, Franklin County; Wyatt Fechter, Elk County; and Jalyn Davis, Wabaunsee County. Since the inception of the KJLS scholarship program 30 years ago, a total of 385 exhibitors have been awarded $554,550.
The LEAD Challenge allows exhibitors to learn about current industry issues and apply that information in a competitive environment. All those who entered the challenge participated in the LEAD Listen & Learn, showmanship, skills stations and interviews. Exhibitors placing first through fifth in the senior division were Noah Goss, Ellsworth County; Addison Green Russell, Smith County; Lane Higbie, Franklin County; Ashley Peters, Marion County; and Brady Hoffman, Sedgwick County. First through fifth in the intermediate division were, in order of finish, Grayson Maxwell, Pawnee County; Nell Goss, Ellsworth County; Kealie Bryant, Finney County; Molly Hill, Douglas County; and Kennan Murrell, Finney County. In the junior division, first through fifth were Hallie Mullen, Grant County; Audrey Bryant, Finney County; Mason Ebert, Ottawa County; Evelyn Flory, Franklin County; and Cooper Acheson, Harvey County.
A team from Oklahoma State University (OSU) won the senior college competition at the Mid-America Classic Judging Contest, held in conjunction with KJLS. Kansas State University placed second. Jentry Squires with OSU was the top scoring senior college individual. Squires was followed by OSU teammate Pace Mittelstaedt. Redlands Community College (RCC) won the sophomore division in the junior college contest, with Blinn College finishing second. High individuals in the junior college sophomore contest were Reed Hedrick with Butler Community College (BCC) in first and Jack Habjan with RCC in second. A team from BCC won the freshman division, while another team from RCC placed second. Lane Hogan with Blinn College outscored all other freshmen. The second-place freshman was Destyn Emerson with RCC.
In addition to Cargill and Merck Animal Health, other sponsors included Evergy, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Huvepharma, ICT Great Plains, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, the Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas State University. In addition to these groups, volunteers from across the state also help organize and put on the show.
— Kansas Junior Livestock Show
