The Kansas Junior Livestock Show got its start in November 1933, drawing 500 exhibitors and more than 1,000 head of livestock to the Wichita (Kan.) Forum.

Since then, the 90-year-old event has stayed true to its heritage by continuing to be the largest youth livestock show in the state. This year, more than 700 exhibitors entered 1,422 animals in the show, which was held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.

Scholarships

KJLS presented $20,500 in scholarships to 13 exhibitors. Those receiving $2,000 scholarships were Carissa Dalquest, Morris County; Kaylee Lukert, Wabaunsee County; Nissa Olsen, Riley County; and Weston Schrader, Ottawa County. Five students were awarded $1,500 scholarships, including Kennedy Coffin, Jefferson County; Preston Dunn, Stafford County; Tyree Figge, Pottawatomie County; Ethan Hatfield, Franklin County; and Emily Miser, Chase County. Students receiving $1,250 stipends were Jack Habjan, Leavenworth County; Rachel Hendricks, Elk County; Aaron Morales, Finney County; and Karli Neher, Ellis County. Since the KJLS scholarship program began in 1993, a total of 372 exhibitors have been awarded $531,100.

Market steers

Ty Wood from Leavenworth County led the grand champion market steer, a 1,420-pound crossbred entry. His steer bested a field of 98 in the show, which was sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Predetermined cash premiums were awarded to the top five animals in both the market and breeding shows for all four species. Wood received a $4,000 premium for his steer.

The reserve champion steer, weighing 1,447 pounds, came from the Charolais division and was owned by Rilee McGraw of Finney County. She received a $2,000 premium for her steer. 

Breeding heifers

Grace Schmeidler of Ellis County led her Angus female to supreme champion honors in the breeding heifer show, sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Schmeidler was awarded a $1,000 premium. Reserve supreme champion, worth a $750 premium, went to a Mainetainer heifer owned by Lauren Aust from Linn County. There were 260 heifers entered in the show.

Beef showmanship

In the senior beef showmanship division, Dustin Denton of Marshall County was champion showman. Reserve went to Josi Schrader from Ottawa County. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Jody Mead, Reno County; Rylie Meinhardt, Pottawatomie County; and Weston Schrader, Ottawa County.

In the intermediate division, Bradyn Greenwood from Wabaunsee County was named champion showman. Brek Colantonio from Stevens County was reserve champion. Completing the top five, in order of finish, were Cami Miller, Butler County; Aubree McCurry, Sedgwick County; and Torbin Lapean, Johnson County.

The champion showman in the junior division was Josie Beltz of McPherson County. Reserve was awarded to Devyn Frost from Jewell County. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Hallie Mullen, Grant County; Eli Atkisson, Rooks County; and Corbin Fink, Pottawatomie County.

Market hogs

Abi Lillard of Dickinson County guided her 260-pound dark crossbred to the grand champion market hog title, which earned her $2,000. A 265-pound dark crossbred owned by Corbin Fink of Pottawatomie County was reserve grand champion hog of the 135-head show, sponsored by Seaboard Foods. Fink’s hog garnered a $1,500 premium.

Gilts

An entry from the commercial division, owned by Kate Heikes of Johnson County, was named supreme champion in the 217-head gilt show, also sponsored by Seaboard Foods. Heikes received a $750 premium for the gilt. James DeRouchey from Pottawatomie County exhibited the reserve supreme, a Berkshire gilt worth $600.

Swine showmanship

Kason Ramsey of Finney County was named champion in senior swine showmanship. The reserve champion was Kyleigh Heikes from Johnson County. Completing the top five, in placing order, were Braeden Grasser, Rice County; Kyser Nemecek, Allen County; and Carly Dreher, Allen County.

In the intermediate division, Anah Higbie of Franklin County was awarded the champion title. Reserve was Kate Heikes from Johnson County. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Lilly Wilson, Wabaunsee County; Gentry Ward, Miami County; and Hadley Huseman, Ellsworth County.

Ella Smith of Grant County was named champion in the junior division. The reserve champion was Cheyanne Davis from Shawnee County. Completing the top five, in placing order, were Elim Higbie, Franklin County; Korah Wendland, Riley County; and Carson Vering, Marshall County.

Market lambs

Mason Rookstool from Pottawatomie County exhibited the grand champion market lamb, a 165-pound entry from the blackface division that earned a $2,000 premium. The reserve grand champion market lamb, a 135-pound blackface, was shown by Raine Garten of Dickinson County. The lamb earned $1,000.

Breeding ewes

The supreme registered breeding ewe, garnering a $500 premium, was the champion AOB (any other breed) shown by Brecken Nelson from Greeley County. The reserve supreme champion ewe was the champion Dorset Advantage led by Aidan Cunningham of Miami County who received a $300 premium for the ewe.

A ewe led by Raine Garten from Dickinson County bested 139 others to take supreme champion honors in the commercial breeding ewe show. Garten’s ewe garnered a $500 premium. Owning the reserve supreme, worth $400, was Hannah Whetstone from Elk County.

Sheep showmanship

In the senior sheep showmanship division, Emery Yoho from Woodson County was named champion. Reserve champion was Landon Roberts of Marion County. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Hannah Whetstone, Elk County; Tate Crystal, Bourbon County; and Kodi McComb, Pratt County.

Kynlee Dressler of Douglas County took home top honors in the intermediate division. Reserve went to Carter Watson, also from Douglas County. Rounding out the top five, in placing order, were Brynn Boggs, Reno County; Lakyn Rookstool, Pottawatomie County; and Brecken Nelson, Greeley County.

In the junior division, Colyer Williams of Reno County was named champion showman. Jentry Palmer of Bourbon County took home reserve. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Edward Taylor, Labette County; Laytynn Boggs, Reno County; and Quinlyn Yoho, Woodson County.

Market goats

Jack Gilliam of Washington County received grand champion honors and a $2,000 premium for his 82-pound entry in the market goat show, sponsored by Cargill. A total of 159 head were shown. Lakyn Rookstool from Pottawatomie County showed the reserve grand champion market goat, which weighed 92 pounds and earned $1,000.

Doe show

Cedar Caruso from Linn County showed the supreme champion commercial doe. Her entry bested 122 others to claim the honor and earn $750. Jera Schoenfeld of Thomas County exhibited the reserve supreme champion doe, worth $500. Cargill also sponsored the commercial doe show.

Goat showmanship

Jera Schoenfeld from Thomas County was the top showman in senior goat showmanship. Erin Johnson of Butler County was reserve. Finishing the top five, in placing order, were Karli Neher, Ellis County; Reese Ingvoldsen, Cowley County; and Kodi McComb, Pratt County.

In the intermediate division, Brecken Nelson of Greeley County was champion. Eleanor Thimmesch from McPherson County was awarded reserve. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Maylee Reece, Kearny County; Anna McCurry, Sedgwick County; and Ella Neher, Ellis County.

Andrew Morales of Finney County was named champion in the junior division. Graham Williams from Reno County was awarded reserve. Following grand and reserve, in placing order, were Mya Neher, Ellis County; Cannon Vajnar, Ellis County; and Avery Franklin, Reno County.

In addition to Cargill, Merck Animal Health and Seaboard Foods, other sponsors included Evergy, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, Friends of KJLS, Huvepharma, ICT Great Plains, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, Kansas State University and the Kansas Livestock Association. In addition to these groups, volunteers from across the state also help organize and put on the show.

Source: Kansas Livestock Association