Winning exhibitors at the 87th Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) earned cash premiums, while others were presented scholarships for excelling academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. The largest youth livestock show in Kansas featured 644 showmen from 94 counties, which exhibited 1,396 head of livestock. The statewide event was held September 27-29 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.

Baylor Deyoe of Ulysses led the grand champion market steer, a 1,374 lb. Charolais entry. His steer bested a field of 103 in the show, which was sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Pre-determined cash premiums were awarded to the top five animals in both the market and breeding shows for all four species. Deyoe received a $4,000 premium for his steer. The reserve champion steer, weighing 1,335 lbs., came from the crossbred division and was owned by Cooper Henson from Holcomb, who received a $2,000 premium for his steer. Third overall, worth $1,000, went to the reserve crossbred steer owned by Heather Scheck of Gorham. Placing fourth overall and earning a $750 premium was the champion Maine-Anjou exhibited by Sydnee Shive from Mount Hope. Fifth went to the champion Chianina owned by Lauren Aust of La Cygne, who earned $500 for her steer. The reserve Charolais was led by Amanda Emmerson of Fort Scott. Martin Beikman of Saint Francis owned the reserve Maine-Anjou steer. The reserve Chianina steer was owned by Thade Combs of Hutchinson. The champion Angus steer was exhibited by Aubree McCurry of Burrton, with the reserve owned by Macey Lewis of Douglass. Champion Hereford went to an entry owned by Katherine Krauss of Russell. The reserve Hereford was led by Jessica Jensen of Courtland. The champion MaineTainer steer was shown by Ava Combs of Hutchinson, with the reserve owned by Jacob Hanen of Buhler. In the Shorthorn division, the champion steer was exhibited by Lindsey Scheck of Gorham, with the reserve led by Blake Jones of Wamego. The champion Shorthorn Plus steer was shown by Kilby Meyer of Sylvan Grove and the reserve was exhibited by Jody Mead of McPherson. Champion Simmental went to an entry from Wyatt Lange of Clifton. The reserve Simmental was owned by Teagan Deyoe of Ulysses.

Grace Aust of La Cygne led a Simmental Percentage female to supreme champion honors in the breeding heifer show, sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Aust was awarded a $1,000 premium. Reserve supreme champion, worth a $750 premium, went to a commercial heifer led by Abby Wood of Leavenworth. There were 245 heifers entered in the show. Third overall, which earned $500, went to the MaineTainer heifer shown by Parker Schwarz of La Cygne. McKenna Richardson from Eureka led the fourth overall heifer, which was the champion Limousin and earned $400. Fifth overall, worth $300, was the Angus heifer, exhibited by Ethan Dickerson of Paradise. Emma Aufdemberge of Leavenworth led the reserve champion Simmental Percentage heifer. The reserve champion commercial heifer was shown by Jase Beltz of Canton. The reserve MaineTainer heifer was owned by Madison Vaught of McLouth. McKenna Richardson of Eureka exhibited the reserve champion Limousin heifer. Kelsey Theis of Leavenworth owned the reserve champion heifer in the Angus division. The champion Charolais heifer was led by Josi Schrader from Wells. The reserve champion Charolais was owned by Jayce Dickerson of Paradise. The champion Charolais Percentage heifer was shown by Weston Schrader from Wells. The reserve Charolais Percentage heifer was led by Kolby Phipps of Delphos. The champion Chianina heifer was owned by Parker Schwarz of La Cygne. Kael Lange of Clifton showed the reserve champion Chianina heifer. Gabrielle Hammer of Wallace exhibited the champion Gelbvieh heifer. The reserve champion Gelbvieh heifer was owned by Kaycee Brown of Dwight. The champion Hereford heifer was exhibited by Cady Pieper of Zurich. Jase Beltz of Canton owned the reserve Hereford heifer. The champion Maine-Anjou heifer was exhibited by Finley Rieke from McLouth, with the reserve champion Maine-Anjou heifer being shown by Heather Scheck of Gorham. Ethan Dickerson from Paradise showed the champion Red Angus heifer. The reserve champion Red Angus heifer was owned by Addison Green Russell of Downs. Aden Grathwohl from Hiawatha exhibited the champion Shorthorn heifer. The reserve champion Shorthorn heifer was owned by Carissa Dalquest from Wilsey. Sophia McCune of Benton exhibited the champion Shorthorn Plus heifer. The reserve champion Shorthorn Plus was led by Desiree Littlechild from Wakeeney. The champion Simmental heifer was exhibited by McKellen Rains from Oakley. The reserve champion Simmental heifer was shown by Abby Wood of Leavenworth. The champion all-other-breeds (AOB) heifer was led by Easton Shenk of Dodge City. Tyra Meyer from Sylvan Grove owned the reserve champion AOB heifer.

In the senior beef showmanship division, Abby Wood of Leavenworth was champion showman. Reserve went to Cady Pieper from Zurich. Rounding out the top five, in placing order, were Thade Combs, Hutchinson; Ethan Dickerson, Paradise; and Wesley Denton, Blue Rapids. In the intermediate division, Jody Mead of McPherson was named champion showman. Josi Schrader from Wells was reserve. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Cohen Navinsky, Winchester; Ava Combs, Hutchinson; and Jase Beltz, Canton. The champion showman in the junior division was Aubree McCurry from Burrton. Reserve was awarded to Jensen Vandike from Wallace. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Levi Schumacher, Hays; Jaylynn Birk, Yates Center; and Ruby Hill, Baldwin City.

Landon Roberts of Hillsboro guided his 232 lb. dark crossbred to the grand champion market hog title, which earned him $2,000. A 288 lb. dark crossbred owned by Chase Lillard from Abilene was selected as reserve grand champion hog of the 146 head show, which was sponsored by Seaboard Foods. Lillard’s hog garnered a $1,500 premium. Third overall, worth $1,000, went to the champion Duroc shown by Ashley Ward of Paola. Lane Higbie from Quenemo owned the champion Berkshire that placed fourth overall and earned $750. Fifth overall, earning a $500 premium, was the champion Yorkshire exhibited by Hadley Huseman from Ellsworth. The reserve Duroc was guided by Cord Dodson of Liberty. The reserve Berkshire was shown by Preston Landoll of Marysville. Lily Anderson of Caney owned the reserve Yorkshire. The champion Hampshire was exhibited by James DeRouchey of Wamego, with the reserve being owned by Kyser Nemecek of Iola. The champion Spot barrow was shown by Quinlan Simon of Spearville. The reserve Spot was exhibited by Jayden Torres of Dodge City. The champion dark AOB was owned by Chase Lillard of Abilene. Danica Davis of Maple Hill exhibited the reserve dark AOB.  Brody Nemecek of Iola showed the champion light AOB, with Kyser Nemecek of Iola owning the reserve. The champion light crossbred barrow was shown by Cedar Caruso from LaCrosse. Taylor Hoskinson of Hutchinson exhibited the reserve light crossbred.

An entry from the commercial division, owned by Marley Sutton of Uniontown, was named supreme champion in the 174-head gilt show, also sponsored by Seaboard Foods. Sutton received a $750 premium for her gilt. Kinley Morrison from Yates Center exhibited the reserve supreme, a commercial gilt worth $600. Third overall and earning $500 was the champion Yorkshire gilt owned by Zephry Landoll from Marysville. In fourth, was the champion Berkshire, which garnered $350 and was exhibited by Kami Moore of Baldwin City. Calla Higbie from Quenemo exhibited the fifth overall gilt, which was the reserve champion Berkshire. The gilt earned a $250 premium. The reserve champion Yorkshire gilt was guided by Gabe Oltman of El Dorado. The champion in the Duroc division was exhibited by Kierstyn Hartman of Holcomb. The reserve Duroc was owned by Paxton Huseman of Ellsworth. The champion Hampshire was guided by Brody Nemecek of Iola, with reserve going to an entry from Kierstyn Hartman of Holcomb. In the Poland division, Gage Kilgore from Lyndon exhibited the champion gilt. The reserve champion Poland gilt was owned by Bryson Schull of Parker. Champion Spot honors went to a gilt shown by Ashley Ward of Paola. The reserve Spot was shown by Kaden Stroup of Parker. The champion dark AOB gilt was owned by Aaron Maxwell of Paola, with Jake Sollner of Cottonwood Falls exhibiting the reserve. The champion light AOB gilt was owned by Kyser Nemecek of Iola and the reserve was exhibited by Sarah Sergeant of Lebo.

Braden Mai from Russell was named grand champion senior in the showmanship competition. The reserve was James DeRouchey from Wamego. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Brody Nemecek, Iola; Cord Dodson, Liberty; and Abi Lillard, Abilene. In the intermediate division, Brooklynn Kerr from Dodge City was awarded the grand champion title. In reserve was Jenna DeRouchey from Wamego. Rounding out the top five, in order of finish, were Kyser Nemecek, Iola; Jacob DeRouchey, Wamego; and Chase Lillard, Abilene. In the junior division, Anah Higbie of Quenemo was named grand champion. The reserve champion went to Kami Moore from Baldwin City. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Gabe Oltman, El Dorado; Marley Sutton, Uniontown; and McKinley Sutton, Uniontown.

Kalen Dressler of Eudora exhibited the grand champion market lamb, a 157 lb. entry from the blackface division that earned a $2,000 premium. The reserve grand champion market lamb, a 133 lb. blackface, was shown by Grady Allen of Gardner. The lamb earned $1,000. Third overall, also from the blackface division, was owned by Jillian Keller of Piqua, and garnered $900. Another blackface lamb exhibited by Shailyn Zenger of Washington was chosen as fourth overall and brought $600. Kaitlynn Godsey from Gaylord exhibited the fifth overall market lamb, also from the blackface division, earning $300. The champion Dorset was led by Becca Paine from Hutchinson. Carter Stansbury from Lorraine exhibited the reserve champion Dorset. Charlesey Coffin from McLouth led the champion Hair lamb. The reserve champion Hair lamb was exhibited by Mary Habjan of Linwood. Hayden Englert from Washington led the champion Southdown. The reserve champion Southdown lamb was exhibited by Becca Paine of Hutchinson. Ava George from Oswego owned the champion Speckled lamb. The reserve champion Speckled lamb was exhibited by Rachel Hendricks of Howard. A total of 216 lambs were shown. The market lamb show was sponsored by Cargill.

The supreme registered breeding ewe, garnering a $500 premium, was the champion Hampshire, shown by Clay Brillhart of Fort Scott. The reserve supreme champion ewe was the champion all-other-breeds led by Raine Garten of Abilene who received a $300 premium for the ewe. Third overall, worth $200, was a Dorset ewe owned by Emery Yoho of Yates Center. The reserve champion Hampshire and fourth overall registered breeding ewe, earning $100, was shown by Dillon McNickle of Mound Valley. Becca Paine from Hutchinson led the champion Southdown ewe, which finished fifth overall and received a $50 premium. Reserve AOB was shown by Hannah Dechant from Goodland. The reserve Dorset was owned by Dillon Knepp of Lincolnville. The reserve Southdown was shown by Judd Nelson from Soldier. Champion Shropshire was led by Jerilyn Nelson from Soldier, with the reserve shown by Kashen Nelson from Tribune. The champion Suffolk was led by Brayden Robinson from Garden City and Tyra Meyer from Sylvan Grove exhibited the reserve. There were 76 head shown.

A ewe led by Clay Brillhart of Fort Scott bested 149 others to take supreme champion honors in the commercial breeding ewe show. Brillhart’s ewe garnered a $500 premium. Owning the reserve supreme, worth $400, was Raine Garten of Abilene. The third overall commercial ewe, earning $300, was exhibited by Jillian Keller of Piqua. A ewe led by Brynn Boggs from Buhler claimed fourth overall and earned $200. Fifth overall was exhibited by Carson Keller of Piqua, who received a $100 premium. Cargill sponsored both breeding ewe shows.

In the senior division of sheep showmanship, Becca Paine of Hutchinson was named grand champion. Reserve champion was Kaitlynn Godsey from Gaylord. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Jaden Jones, Healy; Clay Brillhart, Fort Scott; and Raine Garten, Abilene. In the intermediate division, Emery Yoho from Yates Center took top champion honors. The reserve champion award went to Darla Fesmire of Bartlett. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Breckyn Rush, Geneseo; Hayleigh Wempe, Baldwin City; and Carter Watson, Baldwin City.  In the junior division, Brecken Nelson of Tribune was named the champion showman. Kami Hemphill from Byers took home reserve champion showman honors. Finishing out the top five, in placing order, were Brynn Boggs, Buhler; Chloe Cannon, Overbrook; and Hitch Soyez, Marion.

Jack Gilliam from Washington received grand champion honors and a $2,000 premium for his 99 lb. entry in the market goat show, sponsored by Cargill. A total of 160 head were shown. Kenna Cooley from Louisburg showed the reserve grand champion market goat, which weighed 72 lbs. and earned $1,000. Third place, worth $750, went to a goat shown by Brynn Boggs from Buhler. Kara Riffel of Westmoreland showed the fourth place market goat and earned $500. Fifth overall was an entry from Hagen Draper-Egea from Louisburg that received $400.

Laramie Bruce of Caney showed the supreme champion commercial doe. Her entry bested 125 others to claim the honor and earn $750. Becca Paine of Hutchinson exhibited the reserve supreme champion doe, worth $500. Third overall went to an entry from Brooklyn Hilton of Eureka, which was worth $400. Chosen for fourth was a doe owned by Kodi McComb of Pratt that earned $300. Fifth overall, worth $200, was a doe shown by Kenna Cooley from Louisburg. Cargill also sponsored the commercial doe show.

In senior showmanship, the champion showman award went to Becca Paine from Hutchinson and Raine Garten from Abilene claimed reserve. Finishing out the top five, from third to fifth, were Brody Nemecek, Iola; Clay Brillhart, Fort Scott; and Aidan Yoho, Yates Center. Kenna Cooley from Louisburg won intermediate showmanship, with Kodi McComb from Pratt followed in reserve. Rounding out the intermediate division, in third through fifth, were Kyser Nemecek, Iola; Kayla Fox, Marquette; and Esmeralda Franklin, Hume. In junior showmanship, Emeri Deters from St. George was awarded champion and Kaine Rush from Geneseo was reserve. Following, in order, from third to fifth, were Abigail Morales, Garden City; Brynn Boggs, Buhler; and Brecken Nelson, Tribune.

KJLS presented $22,000 in scholarships to 14 exhibitors. Earning $2,500 stipends were Gabrielle Hammer of Wallace and Rylee Olson from Olsburg. Those receiving $1,750 scholarships were Wesley Denton, Blue Rapids; Jerilyn Nelson, Soldier; Lukas Sebesta, Wilson; and Sarah Sergeant, Lebo. Kady Figge, Onaga; Jessica Jensen, Courtland; and Brody Nemecek, Iola, each received $1,500. Scholarships for $1,000 were presented to Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown; Lindsey Ascher, Milford; and Hannah Dechant, Goodland. Since the inception of the KJLS scholarship program in 1993, a total of 337 exhibitors have been awarded $472,900.

The LEAD Challenge allowed exhibitors to learn about current industry issues and apply that information in a competitive environment. All those entered in the challenge participated in the LEAD Listen & Learn, showmanship, skills stations and interviews. Exhibitors placing first through fifth in the senior division were Ashley Chandler, Neodesha; Lauren Frederick, Sterling; Sarah Sergeant, Lebo; Rachel Sebesta, Wilson; and Kassidy Schumann, Lecompton. First through fifth in the intermediate division, in order of finish, were Calla Higbie, Quenemo; Addison Green Russell, Downs; Noah Goss, Kanopolis; Jase Beltz, Canton; and Kyser Nemecek, Iola. In the junior division, first through fifth were Anah Higbie, Quenemo; Gabe Oltman, El Dorado; Kami Moore, Baldwin City; Emery Mills, Grenola; and Hadley Huseman, Ellsworth.

A team from Kansas State University won the senior college competition at the Mid-America Classic Judging Contest, held in conjunction with KJLS. Butler Community College (BCC) won the sophomore division in the junior college contest. A team from South Plains College (SPC) won the freshman division. Second place in the senior competition went to a team from Oklahoma State University (OSU). A team from Northern Oklahoma College finished second in the sophomore division. BCC placed second in the freshman division. 

Adrian Austin from K-State was the top scoring senior college individual. She was followed by Hadley Schotte with K-State. High individuals in the junior college sophomore contest were Chad Hibdon with BCC in first and Mattie Haynes from Northeastern Oklahoma in second. In the freshman division Caden Arnold from SPC outscored all other freshmen followed by Baylor Bonham with Redlands Community College.

The Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas State University serve as major show sponsors. In addition to Cargill, Merck Animal Health and Seaboard Foods, other sponsors included Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, Friends of KJLS, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and American AgCredit. In addition to supporters, volunteers from across the state also help organize and put on the show.

KLA news release