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11 youth get beef industry kick-start with donated heifers

Over the 20-year history of the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program, 180 heifers have been awarded.

November 1, 2024

2 Min Read
3 people and heifer in show ring
GETTING A START: Adam St. Germain (left) and Theresa St. Germain (right) of Winnebago, Minn., are helping Riley Rickford of Barnesville move ahead in the cattle industry with the donation of a Simmental heifer through the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program. Rickford was one of 11 youths to receive a heifer this year. Courtesy of Linde's Livestock Photography

Eleven youth were the latest to be awarded heifers as part of the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program during the recent Minnesota Beef Expo.

Cattle producers from across the region donate heifers to youth interested in getting a start in the cattle business.

This year’s recipients are:

  • Troy Clemenson of Zumbrota received an Angus heifer donated by Stehr Farm: Derek Stehr of Zumbrota, on behalf of the Minnesota Angus Association.

  • Oriana Jewison of Waseca received a Charolais heifer donated by Polzin Cattle: Chris, Leslie, Brooke, Desirae and Colton Polzin of Darwin, on behalf of the MN/WI Charolais Association.

  • Avery Stark of Cannon Falls received a Hereford heifer donated by Pressnall Family Farms of Randolph on behalf of the Minnesota Hereford Breeders.

  • Samantha Bender of Howard Lake received a Maine Anjou heifer donated by D-K Hawkins Cattle: Dan, Kimberly, Connor, Emma, Andrew and Caleb Hawkins of Garfield.

  • Alivia Uhlenkamp of Green Isle received a Red Angus heifer donated by Compeer Financial. She will be mentored by Steve Pomerenke.

  • Trevin Dicke of Goodhue received a Shorthorn heifer donated by Mulberry Lane Shorthorns: Cathy and Dennis Hoffbeck of Morgan, on behalf of the Minnesota Shorthorn Association.

  • Tatym Travis of Greenwood, Wis., received a Simmental heifer donated by Oak Meadow Farms: Lynn, Barb, Matt, Jessica, Hunter and Garrett Aggen of Harmony, on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association.

  • Riley Rickford of Barnesville received a Simmental heifer donated by St. Germain Simmentals: Adam and Theresa St. Germain of Winnebago, on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association.

  • Madison Holtz of Little Falls received a South Devon heifer donated by K&M Cattle: Matt and Kindra Wayrynen of McGregor, 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 and Lacey Sonnentag and family of Boyd, Wis., on behalf of the American Speckle Park Association.

  • Audrey Hendrickson of Truman received a heifer awarded during the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience ProgramIdeas & Insights Symposium donated by the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. She will be mentored by Mark Pesek.

From a pool of 77 applicants, each recipient was selected based on their passion for agriculture, commitment to raising a heifer, financial need and willingness to learn. Recipients are responsible for raising, breeding and maintaining records on the care of the animal, while providing progress reports to their mentor, breed representative and Minnesota Beef Expo staff. Donors of the heifers will serve as mentors to MYBEP recipients. Since the start of the program 20 years ago, MYBEP has awarded a total of 180 heifers.

The recipients will compete for the MYBEP Achievement Award at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. For further information on the Minnesota Beef Expo and MYBEP visit mnbeefexpo.com.

Source: Minnesota State Fair

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