HUTCHINSON – More than 800 youth from 93 counties have entered 2,026 head of livestock in the 86th annual Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS). The total includes 125 market steers, 363 breeding heifers, 245 market hogs, 313 breeding gilts, 308 market lambs, 294 breeding ewes, 203 market goats and 175 commercial doe kids. The statewide event will be held Oct. 5-7 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
For the fifth consecutive year, Douglas County leads the state with the most exhibitors, 34, and the largest number of total livestock entries, 90. Youth from Douglas County also have entered the most breeding gilts, 20, and market lambs, 20. Douglas and Montgomery counties are tied for the most market hog entries at 17. Linn County has entered the most steers, six. The largest number of heifers, 27, was entered by Pottawatomie County. Miami County competitors have entered the most market goats, 14, and the largest number of breeding ewes, 16. Elk County has the most commercial doe kid entries at nine.
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.
KJLS will present scholarships during the show to exhibitors who have excelled academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. This is the 26th year for the scholarship program, which has awarded a total of $431,000 to 313 exhibitors since 1993. Last year, a total of $20,000 was awarded to eight exhibitors.
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 23 juniors, 47 intermediates and 31 seniors 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 Oct. 6. Sale commission proceeds will go toward KLF Youth in Agriculture scholarships.
The Mid-America Classic Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest will be held Oct. 5 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.
KLA and Kansas State University serve as the major sponsors of the show. Additional sponsors include Cargill, Merck Animal Health, Seaboard Foods, Kansas Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services, Friends of KJLS, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and American AgCredit.
Youth from Barton County entered in the show:
Great Bend: Steele Brack, Market Lamb, Commercial Ewe, Meat Goat, Commercial Doe, Sheep Showmanship, Goat Showmanship; Dalton Dicks, Chianina Heifer, Beef Showmanship; Parker Dicks, Maintainer Heifer, Chianina Heifer, Beef Showmanship
Pawnee Rock: Dylan Ferguson, Commercial Heifer, Beef Showmanship; Sierra Ferguson, Commercial Doe, Goat Showmanship
