The Minnesota Beef Expo welcomed more than 1,100 cattle producers and 700 youth livestock exhibitors to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Oct. 17-20, 2024. This four-day event, celebrating and promoting the beef industry, is the largest all-breed beef show in Minnesota. The 2024 Expo included youth contests, cattle sales, a trade show, educational seminars and a junior show where 1,136 head of cattle were exhibited.
During Saturday and Sunday’s highly competitive junior shows, 1,136 cattle were sorted by Josh Cribbs of South Dakota and Tyler Cates of Indiana. Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer honors went to the Champion Foundation Simmental exhibited by Austin Laufenberg of Humbird, Wis. Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer went to the Champion Red Angus exhibited by Brooke Polzin of Darwin, Minn. Madison Mattson of Albert Lea, Minn., and Jon Roehl of Northfield, Minn., had the Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion Prospect Calves, respectively. Scott Swanek of Dexter, Minn., exhibited the Supreme Champion Market Beef, and Katie Johnson of Independence, Iowa, showed the Reserve Supreme Champion Market Beef.
After an intensive application process, participants in the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program (MYBEP) were awarded heifers on Saturday afternoon. Each winner is responsible for raising, breeding and maintaining complete records on care of the animal, while providing monthly progress reports to the original owner and the Minnesota Beef Expo. The breeders who donated heifers will also serve as mentors to the respective winners.
The 2024 MYBEP heifer recipients are:
- Troy Clemenson of Zumbrota, Minn., received an Angus heifer donated by Stehr Farm, Derek Stehr of Zumbrota, Minn., on behalf of the Minnesota Angus Association.
- Oriana Jewison of Waseca, Minn., received a Charolais heifer donated by Polzin Cattle, Chris, Leslie, Brooke, Desirae and Colton Polzin of Darwin, Minn., on behalf of the MN/WI Charolais Association.
- Avery Stark of Cannon Falls, Minn., received a Hereford heifer donated by Pressnall Family Farms of Randolph, Minn., on behalf of the Minnesota Hereford Breeders.
- Samantha Bender of Howard Lake, Minn., received a Maine Anjou heifer donated by D-K Hawkins Cattle, Dan, Kimberly, Connor, Emma, Andrew and Caleb Hawkins of Garfield, Minn.
- Alivia Uhlenkamp of Green Isle, Minn., received a Red Angus heifer donated by Compeer Financial. She will be mentored by Steve Pomerenke.
- Trevin Dicke of Goodhue, Minn., received a Shorthorn heifer donated by Mulberry Lane Shorthorns, Cathy & Dennis Hoffbeck of Morgan, Minn., on behalf of the Minnesota Shorthorn Association.
- Tatym Travis of Greenwood, Wis., received a Simmental heifer donated by Oak Meadow Farms, Dr. Lynn, Barb, Matt, Jessica, Hunter and Garrett Aggen of Harmony, Minn., on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association.
- Riley Rickford of Barnesville, Minn., received a Simmental heifer donated by St. Germain Simmentals, Adam and Theresa St. Germain of Winnebago, Minn., on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association.
- Madison Holtz of Little Falls, Minn., received a South Devon heifer donated by K&M Cattle, Matt & Kindra Wayrynen of McGregor, Minn., on behalf of the Northern States South Devon Association.
- Olivia Matchey of Independence, Wis., received a Speckle Park heifer donated by Hay Creek Speckle Park, Brad & Lacey Sonnentag and family of Boyd, Wis., on behalf of the American Speckle Park Association.
- Audrey Hendricksen of Truman, Minn., received a heifer awarded during the MYBEP Ideas & Insights Symposium donated by the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. She will be mentored by Mark Pesek.
Due to construction of the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, there will not be an Expo in 2025. The Minnesota Beef Expo will return to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in October 2026.
Minnesota State Fair news release
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