Six Iowa youth were recognized with Iowa Beef Heifer Awards for their achievements with their purebred breeding heifer projects during the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

The Iowa Beef Heifer Award evaluates the applicants' leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities as well as responsibilities and growth within their project. All 4-H, FFA and junior association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the Iowa State Fair are eligible to enter. The award is coordinated by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, and is sponsored by the Iowa State Fair and the beef breeds associations.

Six Iowa youth received the Iowa Beef Heifer Awards at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. The award honors their achievements with purebred breeding heifer projects. Winners and cattle breeds they qualified with are (from left): Keiffer Sexton, Ainsworth (Shorthorn); Kourtney Grimm, Audubon (Maine-Anjou); Trey Jass, Garner (Simmental); Kaleb Miller, Lacona (runner-up Maine-Anjou); Heather Schnitker, Alden (Chianina); Matt Deppe, ICA CEO; and Maggie Vogl, Adair (runner-up Shorthorn).

Finalists in each breed area were interviewed during the Iowa State Fair. The winners of each breed division received a certificate for the purchase of a registered female beef animal. Show halters, sponsored by Kent Feeds, were presented to runners-up.

This year's Iowa Beef Heifer Award winners (listed first) and runners-up, by breed, are:

Chianina – Heather Schnitker, Alden (no runner-up)

Maine Anjou - Kourtney Grimm, Audubon; Kaleb Miller, Lacona

Shorthorn - Keiffer Sexton, Ainsworth; Maggie Vogl, Adair; and

Simmental - Trey Jass, Garner; (no runner-up)

All 4-H, FFA and junior association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the Iowa State Fair are eligible to enter the competition for this annual award. Applicants may participate in one of the following breed divisions: Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn or Simmental. For additional information, contact Kellie Carolan at 515-296-2266 or email [email protected].

About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association:  The Iowa Cattlemen's Association represents about 9,500 beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa's beef industry. ICA's mission is "Grow Iowa's beef business through advocacy, leadership and education."