“The Junior Beef Expo was started to provide an opportunity for youth to gain interest and involvement in the beef industry,” said Expo Chairman Kiley Kvamme, a Turtle Lake agriculture education teacher, in a news release. “Beyond the competition, the event provides valuable opportunities for exhibitors to learn, connect with fellow cattle enthusiasts and develop lifelong skills.”

On Saturday, exhibitors participated in a beef trivia scavenger hunt. The activity combined beef education with friendly competition. The winning team included Hudson, Hayes and Hoyt Dukart of Richardton and Asher and Bergen Bullinger of Dickinson.

At the cattle show Sunday, 52 heifers, representing 10 breeds, and 17 market animals were exhibited, followed by the pee wee, junior and senior showmanship competitions.

Evelina Jacobson of Watford City exhibited the supreme champion female, which also was first the champion Angus female. Drew Erickson of Plaza exhibited the reserve champion female, which was also the champion Simmental female. Nora Weidert of Des Lacs exhibited the champion market animal, a steer weighing 1,410 pounds on show day. Vance Mrnak of Bowman exhibited the reserve champion market animal, a heifer weighing 1,245 pounds on show day.

Submitted Photo Elizabeth Hanson of Velva shows her champion beef at the North Dakota Stockmen’s Junior Beef Expo.

Other heifer breed champions included:

– Champion Charolais Female: Bennett Mrnak of Bowman

– Champion Chi-Influence Female: Dakota Hystad of Great Falls, Montana

– Champion Hereford Female: Hayes Dukart of Richardton

– Champion Limousin Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva

– Champion Maine Female: Ashtyn Erickson of Plaza

– Champion Red Angus Female: Sawyer Brossart of Rugby

– Champion Sim-Influence Female: Ashtyn Erickson of Plaza

– Champion Commercial Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva

In the showmanship competitions, Ainsley Johnson of Upham won the peewee showmanship division; Vance Mrnak won the junior showmanship division; and Ashton Smeltzer of Glendive, Montana, won the senior showmanship division.

Reserve champion showmen were Everett Hynek of Ross, Dakota Hystad and Lilly Solemsaas of Sherwood in the peewee, junior and senior divisions, respectively.

John Hogberg judged the show. Hogberg is a native of Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada. He and his family own Bar-H Land & Cattle, a Hereford and Angus operation. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and was a member of its 2020-2021 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.

Another expo highlight included the Hardest Worker Award, which was presented to Dakota Hystad. Carson Sys of Douglas won another prestigious award, the NDSA Member Award, and $100 cash in the drawing. All NDSA-member exhibitors were eligible for the latter prize.