The National Junior hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors takes great pride in the caliber of judges selected to sift the prestigious Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) each summer. For more information about the JNHE and additional details for the Grand Daddy of ‘Em All, follow the link below.
Dr. Mark Hoge grew up with a diversified livestock background showing cattle, hogs and sheep. Mark pursued his interest in animal science and livestock judging throughout college; he attended Black Hawk East and then the University of Illinois. While at both institutions, he was very active on the livestock judging teams. From there he attended Iowa State University (ISU) to attain his master’s degree in animal breeding. While at ISU, Mark coached the livestock judging team, advised students and taught animal science classes. He found an interest in teaching and research and then decided to pursue his Ph.D. in animal breeding at Michigan State University.
Mark has been an associate professor of agriculture at Western Illinois University for 20 years. He teaches three to four classes a semester, is the faculty manager to the swine and sheep units, coach of the livestock judging team and advisor to the Hoof and Horn Club. Mark has had the opportunity to serve as a judge of all four species for many national shows across the country.
Mark, his wife, Katie, and their kids, Carter, Nolan and Nora, own and operate Hoge Livestock in Good Hope, Ill. They are an active stock show family that live by the motto: Life is better in the barn.
Clayton Boyert hails from Seville, Ohio, where he owns and operates Boyert Show Cattle with his brothers, Jared and Jake. A progressive operation that’s “committed to the experience,” the business is focused on providing a top-notch experience while helping their customers achieve goals. Boyert Show Cattle runs multiple sales a year, selling many breeds of elite show prospects and genetic packages. Clayton also assists with the family business, Boyert’s Greenhouse, and farm. Through this, he has seen them importance of creating strong partnerships while giving back to the community.
Clayton attended Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University (WIU) where he was a member of the livestock judging team. At WIU, Clayton was mentored by and judged under Mark Hoge, Ph.D., where he learned not only how to evaluate livestock, but also the importance of faith, family, friendship and farming. Clayton was a member of the WIU Hoof and Horn Club and strived to provide opportunities to those that came after.
Past American Hereford Association director, Kevin Jensen, Courtland, Kan., owns and operates Jensen Bros. Herefords, along with his wife, Sheila. Today, the couple runs 450 cows. Jensen Bros. holds four sales annually, sells 100 bulls each spring and supports the Hereford Youth Foundation of America’s Foundation 1 Campaign during their spring-born female sale.
Kevin and Sheila have three grown children — Brady, Brooke and Ben — who are all active in Jensen Bros. Herefords. The siblings took part in the state and national associations and participated in the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) for 21 years, serving in leadership roles and competing in events. Kevin and Sheila served as junior Hereford advisors and look forward to their grandchildren, Kelly, Kirbe and Keaton, participating in JNHE.
The family successfully presents their cattle at the national level, and Kevin’s judging has taken him to Australia, Argentina and Canada on numerous occasions. He has sorted nearly every beef breed junior nationals — some multiple times — as well as Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, American Royal, Louisville and Denver.
Brady Jensen resides in Courtland, Kan., with his wife, Allie, and two daughters, Kelly and Kirbe. He currently serves as an STgenetics beef regional manager. Previously, Brady was on faculty at South Dakota State University from 2017-2022, where he served as a lecturer and the livestock judging team coach.
Brady completed his master’s degree at Kansas State University (KSU) in animal sciences and industry, focusing on the genetic component of feet and leg structure in Red Angus cattle. Before graduate school, he attended Butler Community College and KSU where he was awarded All-American status at both levels in livestock judging. In his collegiate coaching career, he was on the coaching staff for three high-point individuals at the national contest in Louisville and coached the 2021reserve national champion team.
Currently, Brady and Allie assist with the family seedstock operation, Jensen Bros. Herefords, in Courtland.
Brigham Stewart is a sixth-generation stockman from Washington, Kan., where he was born and raised. He attended Butler Community College on a livestock judging scholarship and continued his education at Kansas State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry. He was a member of both schools’ livestock judging teams and ended his judging career by winning high-point individual at Louisville.
He now resides on the family farm and ranch. He works alongside his wife, Dr. Megan Collison, and his parents, Gregg and Debbie, on the operation. The family operates a diversified farm and a large cow-calf operation, better known as Mid Continent Farms and Jones Stewart Angus Ranch, which runs 1,000 head of cows and registers cattle in seven different breeds. The Stewarts have produced numerous state fair and major show champions.
Jake and Kami Scott live in Gordon, Neb., and work alongside each other and their two daughters, Payton and Harper, on their family ranching operation, Krebs Ranch. Krebs Ranch is a purebred Angus program located in the Nebraska Sandhills that produces 400 bulls annually for registered and commercial ranches across America.
Jake graduated from Connors State College and Oklahoma State University where he was a member of the livestock judging teams. He has judged major breed and jackpot shows across the country and is very grateful to be part of this event.
Sam and Morgan Wallace reside in Stotts City, Mo., with their son, Beau, and another son on the way. Sam and Morgan met showing Simmental cattle and married in 2018. During their junior careers, the couple topped the National Junior Simmental Show showmanship contest. Sam was involved with the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and placed third in the 2014 NJAA showmanship contest. Morgan was raised in Maysville, Ky., on her family’s Simmental operation and was an active member of the American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA). She served as AJSA board chair in 2016.
Today, the couple operate Wallace Cattle Co. with Sam’s parents. They focus on selling Angus and Simmental show heifer prospects. Sam serves as an independent contractor through Genex where he operates Wallace AI Service, and Morgan works for Farm Credit as a loan officer. Sam and Morgan are grateful for their involvement in junior programs and plan to raise their sons with the same experiences.
Melissa Grimmel Schaake owns and operates Grimmel Schaake Cattle Co., Manhattan, Kan. alongside her husband, Shane, where they breed and raise Hereford and Simmental cattle.
Melissa grew up in Maryland on her family’s grain farm as a first-generation cattlewoman and had a successful junior show career. She graduated from Kansas State University with dual degrees in agricultural communications and animal sciences and industry.
Melissa and Shane built their herd, focusing on reputable cow families, structural integrity and maternal characteristics. They’ve been named premier Hereford breeder at both the 2022 and 2023 American Royal and raised division champions at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo, American Royal, North American International Livestock Exposition, Cattlemen’s Congress and most notably the reserve grand champion polled female at both the 2020 and 2023 National Western Stock Show. Most recently, Melissa was named the 2024 Hereford Herdsman of the Year.
Melissa also owns a livestock marketing business. With both cattle and creative work, she takes pride in using her talents and experiences to help others succeed.
