Kansas Junior Livestock Show
TOPEKA – Youth from across Kansas, including Ellis County, have entered 1,889 animals in the 88th Kansas Junior Livestock Show, which will take place October 2-4 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. A total of 784 exhibitors from 95 counties have entered 135 market steers, 368 breeding heifers, 228 market hogs, 260 breeding gilts, 280 market lambs, 277 breeding ewes, 175 market goats and 176 commercial does. This event is the largest youth show in the state.
Reno County leads the state with the most exhibitors at 36. The largest number of total livestock entries is Douglas County, with 83. Youth from Douglas County also have entered the most market lambs, 21, and breeding gilts, 11. The largest number of steers entered is Butler County with eight. Franklin County has the most market hog entries at 11. Pottawatomie County and Reno County are tied with the largest number of heifers entered at 24. In addition, Pottawatomie County competitors have entered the most market goats, 12. Dickinson County has the largest number of breeding ewes entered with 12. Finney County has the most commercial doe kid entries at 11.
KJLS will award cash to exhibitors of the top five animals in both market and breeding shows in all four species. Direct cash payouts will range from $4,000 to $500 for steers; $1,000 to $300 for heifers; $2,000 to $500 for market hogs; $750 to $250 for breeding gilts; $2,000 to $300 for market lambs; $500 to $50 for registered ewes; $500 to $100 for commercial ewes; $2,000 to $400 for market goats; and $750 to $200 for commercial doe kids.
In addition, KJLS will present several scholarships during the show to exhibitors who have excelled academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. This is the 28th year for the scholarship program, which has awarded a total of $472,900 to 337 KJLS exhibitors since 1993. Last year, a total of $22,000 was presented to 14 individuals.
Separate from the selection of species champions, a showmanship contest will be held. The top showman in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions of each species will receive a silver belt
buckle. Prizes also will be awarded for second through fifth place in each division.
KJLS will again offer the LEAD Challenge, which is an educational and advocacy event that provides an opportunity for exhibitors to learn about current industry issues and apply that information in a competitive environment. Exhibitors will be divided into three age divisions: junior, intermediate and senior. All will participate in the LEAD Listen & Learn, showmanship, skills stations and an interview. There are 31 juniors, 52 intermediates and 37 seniors entered in this year’s challenge.
In conjunction with KJLS, the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) will sponsor a club calf show and sale. Steer and heifer prospects from some of the top club calf producers in the Midwest will be consigned. The event will take place October 3. Sale commission proceeds will go toward KLF Youth in Agriculture scholarships.
The Mid-America Classic Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest will be held October 2 in conjunction with the show. This event, which has been held for more than 30 years, provides competitors the opportunity to sharpen their livestock evaluation skills; develop their critical thinking and decision-making abilities; and refine their public speaking skills.
KLA and Kansas State University are major sponsors of the show, along with Cargill, Merck Animal Health, Seaboard Foods, American AgCredit, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Friends of KJLS.
Ellis County entrants are:
Metzler, Dakota Ellis, Market Barrow
Metzler, Dakota Ellis Commercial Gilt
Neher, Ella Pfeifer Meat Goat
Neher, Ella Pfeifer Commercial Doe
Neher, Esther Pfeifer Commercial Doe
Neher, Karli Pfeifer Market Lamb
Neher, Karli Pfeifer Meat Goat
Neher, Karli Pfeifer Commercial Doe
Neher, Karli Pfeifer Commercial Doe
Neher, Mya Pfeifer Commercial Doe
Pfeifer, Konnor Ellis Commercial Gilt
Pfeifer, Konnor Ellis Commercial Gilt
Pfeifer, Kylee Ellis Market Barrow
Pfeifer, Kylee Ellis Commercial Gilt
Pfeifer, Kylee Ellis Commercial Gilt
Robben, Dalton Victoria Commercial Heifer
Robben, Dalton Victoria Meat Goat
Robben, Maddie Victoria Meat Goat
Rupp, Quentin Hays Commercial Heifer
Sack, Jacob Hays Meat Goat
Sack, Kimberly Hays Meat Goat
Scheck, Heather Gorham Market Steer
Scheck, Heather Gorham Maintainer Heifer
Scheck, Lindsey Gorham Market Steer
Scheck, Lindsey Gorham Commercial Heifer
Schmeidler, Faith Hays Simmental Pct Heifer
Schmeidler, Grace Hays Simmental Pct Heifer
Schmeidler, Grace Hays Simmental Pct Heifer
Schumacher, Levi Hays Market Steer
Schumacher, Levi Hays Commercial Heifer
Weber, Kaleigh Ellis Market Barrow
Weber, Kaleigh Ellis Market Barrow
Weber, Kaleigh Ellis Commercial Gilt