RESULTS OF THE 2025 TCFA BEEF SHOWCASE EVENT
Three hundred twenty feedyard employees, allied industry, students and the public joined TCFA for the 2025 Beef Showcase on Thursday at West Texas A&M University. Attendees participated in three educational contests and had the opportunity to learn from beef industry experts during the Value of Beef panel moderated by the Texas Beef Council. Additionally, Tyler’s Barbeque provided dinner for the reception. The Beef Showcase would not be possible without TCFA’s Allied Industries Committee members and TCFA sponsors.
In the contest, participants determined the quality and yield grade criteria of 10 live steers via video and were then asked to match them to 10 carcasses displayed in the fabrication room. Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 were awarded to the winners in each division. The winners of the Video/Carcass Match Contest in each division are as follows:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Owen Sanders, Texas A&M University
2nd Place — Helene Keiser, West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Beau Johnson, West Texas A&M University
Public Division
1st Place — Eddie Behrends, New Mexico Livestock
2nd Place — Allie Martin, Telus Ag
3rd Place — Bryan Bernhard, Zoetis
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Laphe LaRoe, Smith Cattle Co.
2nd Place — Ben Fort, Dean Cluck Feedyard Inc.
3rd Place — Dave Venhaus, Cactus Feeders
The second competition mimicked a beef skillathon. Participants put their knowledge to the test with an exam covering bovine anatomy, industry history and more. However, this year’s knowledge and skills exam came with a twist. The top eight test scorers competed in a quiz bowl round, and the top eight competitors split a purse of $1,500.
Beef Industry Knowledge & Skills Contest Awards:
1st Place — Spencer Walahoski, West Texas A&M University
2nd Place — Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Blake Foraker, Texas Tech University
4th Place — Justin Gleghorn, Cactus Feeders
5/6th Place — Megan Eckhardt, West Texas A&M University & Kelby Cowley, Merck
7/8th Place — Helene Keiser, West Texas A&M University & Clayton Stevenson, West Texas A&M University
Exclusive to TCFA feedyard members, the final portion of the contest was the Beef Showcase Steer Awards. Each participant fed one steer to be graded on carcass attributes with a total of 24 steers entered. Winners include:
Beef Showcase Steer Awards
Grand Champion Steer — Dimmitt Feedyard
Reserve Grand Champion Steer — Cobalt Cattle Company, Tulia
Third Overall Steer — Frontera Feedyard
Proceeds of the Beef Showcase go to TCFA’s Education Foundation to award scholarships to graduate, Ph.D. and DVM students from New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University who want to pursue careers in the fed beef industry. This year’s event raised a total of $24,000.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Beef Showcase. Be on the look-out for more information on the 2026 Beef Showcase.
Three hundred twenty feedyard employees, allied industry, students and the public joined TCFA for the 2025 Beef Showcase on Thursday at West Texas A&M University. Attendees participated in three educational contests and had the opportunity to learn from beef industry experts during the Value of Beef panel moderated by the Texas Beef Council. Additionally, Tyler’s Barbeque provided dinner for the reception. The Beef Showcase would not be possible without TCFA’s Allied Industries Committee members and TCFA sponsors.
In the contest, participants determined the quality and yield grade criteria of 10 live steers via video and were then asked to match them to 10 carcasses displayed in the fabrication room. Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 were awarded to the winners in each division. The winners of the Video/Carcass Match Contest in each division are as follows:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Owen Sanders, Texas A&M University
2nd Place — Helene Keiser, West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Beau Johnson, West Texas A&M University
Public Division
1st Place — Eddie Behrends, New Mexico Livestock
2nd Place — Allie Martin, Telus Ag
3rd Place — Bryan Bernhard, Zoetis
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Laphe LaRoe, Smith Cattle Co.
2nd Place — Ben Fort, Dean Cluck Feedyard Inc.
3rd Place — Dave Venhaus, Cactus Feeders
The second competition mimicked a beef skillathon. Participants put their knowledge to the test with an exam covering bovine anatomy, industry history and more. However, this year’s knowledge and skills exam came with a twist. The top eight test scorers competed in a quiz bowl round, and the top eight competitors split a purse of $1,500.
Beef Industry Knowledge & Skills Contest Awards:
1st Place — Spencer Walahoski, West Texas A&M University
2nd Place — Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Blake Foraker, Texas Tech University
4th Place — Justin Gleghorn, Cactus Feeders
5/6th Place — Megan Eckhardt, West Texas A&M University & Kelby Cowley, Merck
7/8th Place — Helene Keiser, West Texas A&M University & Clayton Stevenson, West Texas A&M University
Exclusive to TCFA feedyard members, the final portion of the contest was the Beef Showcase Steer Awards. Each participant fed one steer to be graded on carcass attributes with a total of 24 steers entered. Winners include:
Beef Showcase Steer Awards
Grand Champion Steer — Dimmitt Feedyard
Reserve Grand Champion Steer — Cobalt Cattle Company, Tulia
Third Overall Steer — Frontera Feedyard
Proceeds of the Beef Showcase go to TCFA’s Education Foundation to award scholarships to graduate, Ph.D. and DVM students from New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University who want to pursue careers in the fed beef industry. This year’s event raised a total of $24,000.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Beef Showcase. Be on the look-out for more information on the 2026 Beef Showcase.
RESULTS OF THE 2024 TCFA BEEF SHOWCASE EVENT
Three hundred individuals from the beef community attended the TCFA Beef Showcase contest at West Texas A&M University on Sept. 12. The event was open to feedyard employees, college students and the public and included three educational contests. Attendees also learned how to cook the perfect restaurant steak from Chef Robert Hale of the Texas Beef Council and watched a beef harvest and fabrication presentation. Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 were awarded to all winners in each category. This event would not be possible without the support of the TCFA Allied Industries Committee and Sponsors.
In the contest, participants determined the quality and yield grade criteria of 10 live steers via video and were then asked to match them to 10 carcasses displayed in the fabrication room. The winners of the Video/Carcass Match Contest in each division are as follows:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Jayce Meyring – Texas Tech University
2nd Place — Emerson Dean – West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Dakota David – Texas Tech University
Public Division
1st Place — Bryan Bernhard – Zoetis
2nd Place — Blake Foraker – Texas Tech University
3rd Place — Austin Adams – Clarendon College
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Justin Gleghorn – Cactus Feeders
2nd Place — Will Cantu – CanTex Feeders
3rd Place — Zach Brown – Friona Industries
The second competition mimicked a beef skillathon. Participants put their knowledge to the test with an exam covering bovine anatomy, industry history and more. Winners of the Beef Industry Knowledge & Skills Contest include:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Cole Petit – West Texas A&M University
2nd/3rd Place — Megan Eckhardt, Ryan Heitschmidt, Helene Keiser – West Texas A&M University
Public Division
1st Place — Bryan Bernhard – Zoetis
2nd Place — Austin Adams – Clarendon College
3rd Place — Blake Foraker – Texas Tech University
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Justin Gleghorn – Cactus Feeders
2nd Place — Tanya Stevenson – Frontera Feedyard
3rd Place — Cutter Smith – Tascosa Feedyard
Exclusive to TCFA feedyard members, the final portion of the contest was the Beef Showcase Steer Awards. Each participant fed one steer to be graded on carcass attributes with a total of 28 steers entered. Winners include:
Beef Showcase Steer Awards
Grand Champion Steer — CanTex Feeders
Reserve Grand Champion Steer — Cobalt Cattle Company, Tulia
Third Overall Steer — Cactus Feedyard
Proceeds of the Beef Showcase go to TCFA’s Education Foundation to award scholarships to graduate, Ph.D. and DVM students from New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University who want to pursue careers in the fed beef industry. This year’s event raised a total of $18,000.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 Beef Showcase. Be on the look-out for more information on the 2025 Beef Showcase.
Three hundred individuals from the beef community attended the TCFA Beef Showcase contest at West Texas A&M University on Sept. 12. The event was open to feedyard employees, college students and the public and included three educational contests. Attendees also learned how to cook the perfect restaurant steak from Chef Robert Hale of the Texas Beef Council and watched a beef harvest and fabrication presentation. Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 were awarded to all winners in each category. This event would not be possible without the support of the TCFA Allied Industries Committee and Sponsors.
In the contest, participants determined the quality and yield grade criteria of 10 live steers via video and were then asked to match them to 10 carcasses displayed in the fabrication room. The winners of the Video/Carcass Match Contest in each division are as follows:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Jayce Meyring – Texas Tech University
2nd Place — Emerson Dean – West Texas A&M University
3rd Place — Dakota David – Texas Tech University
Public Division
1st Place — Bryan Bernhard – Zoetis
2nd Place — Blake Foraker – Texas Tech University
3rd Place — Austin Adams – Clarendon College
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Justin Gleghorn – Cactus Feeders
2nd Place — Will Cantu – CanTex Feeders
3rd Place — Zach Brown – Friona Industries
The second competition mimicked a beef skillathon. Participants put their knowledge to the test with an exam covering bovine anatomy, industry history and more. Winners of the Beef Industry Knowledge & Skills Contest include:
Collegiate Division
1st Place — Cole Petit – West Texas A&M University
2nd/3rd Place — Megan Eckhardt, Ryan Heitschmidt, Helene Keiser – West Texas A&M University
Public Division
1st Place — Bryan Bernhard – Zoetis
2nd Place — Austin Adams – Clarendon College
3rd Place — Blake Foraker – Texas Tech University
Feedyard Division
1st Place — Justin Gleghorn – Cactus Feeders
2nd Place — Tanya Stevenson – Frontera Feedyard
3rd Place — Cutter Smith – Tascosa Feedyard
Exclusive to TCFA feedyard members, the final portion of the contest was the Beef Showcase Steer Awards. Each participant fed one steer to be graded on carcass attributes with a total of 28 steers entered. Winners include:
Beef Showcase Steer Awards
Grand Champion Steer — CanTex Feeders
Reserve Grand Champion Steer — Cobalt Cattle Company, Tulia
Third Overall Steer — Cactus Feedyard
Proceeds of the Beef Showcase go to TCFA’s Education Foundation to award scholarships to graduate, Ph.D. and DVM students from New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University who want to pursue careers in the fed beef industry. This year’s event raised a total of $18,000.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 Beef Showcase. Be on the look-out for more information on the 2025 Beef Showcase.