Top finalists in both the senior and junior division from left, Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., Jayne Blume, Pierre, S.D., Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas. Not pictured is junior finalist, Hardy Edwards, Winterville, Ga.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Now in its fifth year, the National Junior Hereford Association’s (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout contest teaches juniors about the opportunities and challenges of the cattle feeding industry. In the 2021 contest, 41 members from 15 states entered 133 steers in the program. This year’s winners received nearly $20,000 in scholarships and awards from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and premier partner, BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The young cattle feeders took center stage and were recognized for their efforts Oct. 22 at the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Contestants collected actual feedyard performance and carcass data on their pen of three and individual entries of Hereford and commercial Hereford-influenced steers, while gaining comprehensive industry knowledge on topics such as animal health, nutrition and marketing. All steers were fed at HRC Feed Yards, Scott City, Kan., and through a generous sponsorship from Texas Stardance Cattle, steers were hauled to and harvested at National Beef Packing Co. in Dodge City, Kan., as candidates for the Certified Hereford Beef® brand. Industry partners such as Merck Animal Health, Allflex Livestock Intelligence and Neogen played a vital role in the success of the program.

Additionally, contestants entered performance portfolios from data reports they received throughout the feeding period and answered short answer questions summarizing what they learned throughout the program. The top three contestants, in both the junior and senior divisions, were selected from the submitted portfolios and had the opportunity to compete for the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Contestant of the Year titles. The selected contestants presented a short speech followed by a panel interview about what they learned during the contest and how they can apply this knowledge in the beef industry.

After completing their performance portfolios and a rigorous interview and presentation process in front of a distinguished panel of judges, Jarrell Worrell from Mason, Texas was named the contestant of the year in the junior division and Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., earned the contestant of the year title in the senior division.

This year’s award winners are:
Contestant of the Year – Top Three Finalists – Junior Division:

Jayna Blume, Pierre, S.D.
Hardy Edwards, Winterville, Ga.
Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas – Junior Contestant of the Year

Contestant of the Year – Top Three Finalists – Senior Division:

Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill.
Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill.
Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., Senior Contestant of the Year

Overall Champion Steer – Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis.
Champion Pen of Three Purebred Steers – Jayna Blume, Pierre, S.D.
Reserve Champion Pen of Three Purebred Steers – Kora Hawkins, Jane Lew, W.Va.
Champion Individual Purebred Steer – Macy Reed, Green Ridge, Mo.
Reserve Champion Individual Purebred Steer – Katherine Krauss, Russell, Kan.
Champion Pen of Three Commercial Steers – John Dauer, Panhandle, Texas
Reserve Champion Pen of Three Commercial Steers – Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas
Champion Individual Commercial Steer – Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis.
Reserve Champion Individual Commercial Steer – Judd Daniels, Dalhart, Texas

Special recognition awards go to:
Highest Marbling Score Purebred Division – Bailey Morrell, Willows, Calif.
Highest Marbling Score Commercial Division – Elizabeth Pribil, Hennessey, Okla.
Highest Average Daily Gain Purebred Division – Katherine Krauss, Russell, Kan.
Highest Average Daily Gain Commercial Division – Katherine Krauss, Russell, Kan.
Largest Ribeye Area Purebred Division – Katherine Krauss, Russell, Kan.
Largest Ribeye Area Commercial Division – Jake Drost, Klamath Falls, Ore.

###

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the largest, strongest and most active junior cattle programs in the country. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success. The NJHA, through its extensive educational programs, continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders. The traditions of the past coupled with the energy of today’s board of directors have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus.