Five National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members have been nominated for the prestigious Junior Herdsman of the Year award presented annually at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). Exhibitors at the 2023 JNHE will be able to vote for one nominee via an emailed link. Voting will close Thursday, July 13 at 11:59 p.m. The Herdsman will be selected prior to the owned female show champion drive on Friday, July 14. The following are this year’s candidates:

Cassie Allscheid
Cassie Allscheid, Waterloo, Ill., is the daughter of Eric and Cindie Allscheid. Allscheid graduated from Missouri State University in May 2023 and will begin her professional career this fall with ShowMe Genetic Services, Strafford, Mo. She is a third generation Hereford breeder and has been actively involved in the NJHA and Illinois Junior Hereford Association.

“It is a great honor to conclude my junior career by being nominated for the Herdsman of the Year award,” Allscheid says. “After years invested in the breed, the beef industry and Association, I am humbled to be recognized amongst a great set of candidates.”

Sara Harfst
Sara Harfst, Sheridan, Wyo., is the daughter of Robbie and Danette Harfst. Harfst is a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in agribusiness with a pre-law and finance option. She plans to become a certified financial advisor. Harfst is a fifth generation Hereford breeder and credits the opportunities provided through the Association to her development as a young breeder.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized as a herdsman candidate,” Harfst says. “I want to thank everyone who has mentored me over the years as well as thank the American Hereford Association (AHA) and NJHA.”

Dylan Kottkamp
Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind., is the son of Dale and Lesli Kottkamp. Kottkamp is a senior at Oklahoma State University majoring in agribusiness with a pre-law option. Kottkamp is the third generation in his family to raise Hereford cattle. This summer is the Kottkamp family’s 27th JNHE and Dylan’s 22nd.

After graduation, Kottkamp is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in international agriculture and continuing his involvement within the Hereford breed. “It is a great honor and privilege to not only be apart of this organization, but to also to be surrounded by like-minded people with the same goals and interests as mine,” Kottkamp says. “Winning the junior herdsman award is a goal I set for myself at a young age and it would be an honor to earn as I close out my final JNHE.”

Chesney Effling
Chesney Effling, Highmore, S.D., is the daughter of Chris and Kristi Effling. Effling is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in animal sciences and industry with an animal products option. When she became interested in attending JNHE, Effling began raising Herefords at a young age to exhibit across the country.

After graduation, Effling plans to continue her education with a focus on meat science. She enjoys learning more about the end-product of the animals she raises. “I am honored to be a candidate again this year for the prestigious herdsman award at my last JNHE,” Effling says. “I credit my passion for the beef industry to the National Junior Hereford Association.”

Ryan Rogers
Ryan Rogers, Worley, Idaho, is the son of Mark and Nikki Rogers. Rogers is currently employed by Colyer Herefords, Bruneau, Idaho, and enjoys the opportunity to work in the cattle industry. Rogers also helps manage Rogers Herefords alongside his father.

Rogers credits his passion for the Hereford breed to his involvement in the NJHA. Additionally, the people he has met over the years have helped mold his career. “It is truly a humbling experience to be selected as a Herdsman of the Year candidate and to have my dedication noticed by others,” Rogers says.