The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) hosted 60 youth exhibitors and their families at the 27th annual North Dakota Junior Beef Expo (NDJBE) June 24-25 at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot.

“The Junior Beef Expo was started to get more youth interested and involved in the beef industry,” said NDJBE Vice Chairman Jayd Novak. “I enjoyed watching the integrity and sportsmanship shine through the junior exhibitors as they competed throughout the weekend.”

On Friday, exhibitors participated in beef trivia cornhole tournament. The objective was to encourage beef education while giving the participants a fun, yet competitive, game to play. Zane Lodoen, Westhope, and Braden Bailey, Towner, made up the champion cornhole team. Carter Sys, Douglas, was one of the consolation champions.

The cattle show began Saturday morning. Fifty-four heifers, representing 12 different breeds and 15 market animals were exhibited, followed by the junior and senior showmanship competitions.

Graci Alford, Plaza, exhibited the reserve champion market animal, a steer weighing 1,271 pounds on show day.

Other heifer breed champions from the local area included the following:

Champion Commercial Female: Blaize Hanson of Des Lacs.

Champion Hereford Female: Emily Merck of Granville.

Champion Limousin Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva.

Champion Maine Anjou Female: Sydnee Johnson of Zap.

Champion Shorthorn Plus Female: Nevaeh Johnson of Zap.

Champion SimInfluence Female: Megan Schaefer of Des Lacs.

Champion Simmental Female: Drew Erickson of Plaza.

In the showmanship competitions, Addison Neshem of Granville came out on top in the junior division. Sydnee Johnson of Zap won reserve champion showman in the senior division.

Tyler Melroe of Britton, South Dakota, judged the show. Melroe serves as a senior beef nutritionist with Hubbard Feeds, focusing on customer business in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana.

The Hardest Worker Award was presented to the Sys family of Douglas.

The NDJBE Planning Committee is comprised of Jaime Friesz of New Salem and Colby Hennessy of Des Lacs, the show chairmen, and Trey Klain of Ruso, Jayd Novak of Minot and Cord LaPlant of Binford, the show vice chairmen.

“The Junior Beef Expo is just one example of how the NDSA places emphasis on young beef leaders and works to encourage youth as they become the next generation of agriculturists,” said Hennessy. “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 23-24, 2023.