The 84th annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS), sponsored by Cargill, again will set a record for entries, with 798 youth from 90 counties entering 2,063 animals. This is the largest number of livestock entered in more than 25 years, increasing by 200 head over last year’s record numbers. The total includes 141 market steers, 329 breeding heifers, 293 market hogs, 278 breeding gilts, 326 market lambs, 298 breeding ewes, 240 meat goats and 158 commercial doe kids. The statewide event will be held September 30 to October 2 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
For the third consecutive year, Douglas County leads the state with the most exhibitors, 41, and the largest number of total livestock entries, 110. Youth from Douglas County also have entered the most market hogs, 16; breeding gilts, 16; market lambs, 21; and breeding ewes, 22. Coffey County has entered the most steers at 12. The largest number of heifers, 26, was entered by Pottawatomie County. Bourbon County competitors have entered the most meat goats, 14. Butler County has the most commercial doe kid entries at 15.
KJLS will award cash for the top five 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 $400 for lambs and market goats; and $750 to $200 for ewes and commercial doe kids.
Immediately following Saturday evening’s exhibitor barbecue, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, KJLS will present scholarships to exhibitors who have excelled academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. This is the 24th year for the scholarship program, which has awarded a total of $390,500 to 294 exhibitors since 1993. Last year, a total of $21,800 was awarded to 13 exhibitors.
“The responsibility of preparing for and showing at this event provides a great learning experience for Kansas youth,” said KJLS President Dale Lanham of Yates Center. “We are glad we can reward some of these hard-working young people through scholarships.”
Separate from the selection of species champions, a showmanship contest will be held. The top showman in both junior 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.
New this year, KJLS will be offering the LEAD Challenge, which is an educational and advocacy event that provides an opportunity for exhibitors to learn about current industry issues. Exhibitors in the senior division will compete in showmanship, go through an interview process and take a written examination. Juniors will compete in showmanship and be interviewed. There are 59 seniors and 92 juniors entered in this year’s challenge.
The Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) again will sponsor a club calf show and sale during KJLS. Steer and heifer prospects from some of the top club calf producers in the Midwest will be consigned. The event will take place October 1. Sale commission proceeds will go toward KLF Youth in Agriculture scholarships.
The Mid-America Classic Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest also will be held October 1 in conjunction with KJLS. 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.
The Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas State University and the Agri-Business Council of Wichita serve as major show sponsors. In addition to Cargill and Merck, other sponsors include Seaboard Foods, Ag Choice/MFA, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, Friends of KJLS, Elanco Animal Health, Syngenta and the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Hundreds of volunteers from across the state also help organize and put on the show.