Applications now being accepted for the
2011 Iowa Beef Heifer Awards

The Iowa Beef Heifer Award program is designed to honor outstanding youth and future leaders of the beef industry. This program was created to increase the interest and participation in the beef breeding heifer project by allowing youth to earn a certificate for the purchase of a breeding female. The program evaluates leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities as well as responsibilities and growth within their project.

All 4-H, FFA and junior association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the Iowa State Fair are eligible to enter. Applicants may participate in one of the following breed divisions: Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine- Anjou, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn or Simmental.

Finalists for each breed will need to participate in a personal interview to be held on Monday, August 15, 2011, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with a panel of judges. Winners will be announced during the selection of the Grand Champion 4-H breeding heifer on August 16, 2011. The winner of each breed division will receive a certificate for the purchase of a registered female sponsored by the Iowa State Fair and the respective state breed association. Show halters are presented to runner-ups and are sponsored by Kent Feeds, Inc. of Muscatine.

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) coordinates the application process. Program guidelines and applications can be found on the ICA Web site at www.iacattlemen.org or by calling Kellie Carolan at (515) 296-2266. Applications are due to the ICA office in Ames no later than July 1, 2011.


2011 Iowa Beef Heifer Application*

Local Youth Recognized at 2010 Iowa State Fair

Twelve Iowa youth from 10 counties were recognized for their achievements with their purebred breeding heifer projects this week at the 2010 Iowa State Fair.

The Iowa Beef Heifer Award is designed to honor outstanding youth and future leaders of the beef industry. This program evaluates leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities as well as responsibilities and growth within their project.

All 4-H, FFA and junior association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the Iowa State Fair are eligible to enter. Applicants may participate in one of the following breed divisions: Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn or Simmental.

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) coordinates the application process and breed representatives along with an outside judge serving as the selection committee. They review all applications and conduct personal interviews with each of the applicants at the fair.

Winners of each breed division receive a certificate for the purchase of a registered female sponsored by the Iowa State Fair and Beef Breed Associations. Show halters are presented to runner-ups and are sponsored by Kent Feeds, Inc. of Muscatine, Iowa.

2010 Iowa Beef Heifer Award Winners and Runner-ups

Angus - Lauren Barker* of Monticello, Ben Offenburger of Chariton

Charolais – Cody Butler* of State Center

Hereford – Colin Johnson of Iowa Falls, Peyton Schmitt* of Nichols, Blake Solsma of Sanborn

Maine Anjou – Sarah Butler of State Center, Kalab Miller of Lacona, Makayla Smith* of Charter Oak

Shorthorn – Chad Obrecht* of Oakland, MaKarlie Smith of Charter Oak

Simmental – Tyler Long* of Creston

*Denotes this years breed winner.

The Iowa Beef Heifer award is an annual event. For additional information on this event please contact the ICA at 515-296-2266 or email kellie@iabeef.org.