Students from across the state made their way to the campus of West Texas A&M University on Friday, July 24, to showcase their skills and knowledge at the 2020 TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge.
 
This annual contest gives third-12th grade students the opportunity to gain industry knowledge and practical experience in commercial cattle feeding. Students feed a pen of three steers, take a written test and compete in interviews and oral presentations. Cattle performance points are also figured into the score to determine the winners.

Students compete for a combined $20,000 in college scholarships along with trophy buckles and plaques. ​

​​The Senior Overall Champion of the contest and winner of a $5,000 scholarship was Luke Bludau of Hallettsville. Senior Reserve Champion and winner of a $3,000 scholarship was Macy Lawrence of Canyon. The First Runner-Up and winner of a $2,000 scholarship was Grant Kubala of Schulenburg.

In the Junior Division, Emma Stevenson of Earth was named the Overall Champion and received a $350 scholarship.

​Senior Division: Best Written Exam 
3rd Place Written Exam – Macy Lawrence, Canyon
2nd Place Written Exam – Gavin Kubala, Schulenburg; Grant Kubala, Schulenburg
1st Place Exam and winner of a $500 prize – Luke Bludau, Hallettsville

​Senior Division: Best Interview 
3rd Place Interview – Hayden Holwick, McLean ; Kade Lawrence, Canyon
2nd Place Interview – AnneMarie Metzler, Cotton Center
Best Interview and winner of a $500 prize – Macy Lawrence, Canyon

​Senior Division: Best Individual Carcass 
3rd Place Individual Carcass – AnneMarie Metzler, Cotton Center;  Clayton Stevenson, Earth 
2nd Place Individual Carcass – Shelby Berckenhoff, Hallettsville; Brayden Smith, Blair
Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $500 prize – Clayton Stevenson, Earth

Senior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 
3rd Place Carcass Pen – James Golla, College Station; Lane Golla, New Braunfels
2nd Place Carcass Pen – Clayton Stevenson, Earth
Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $500 prize – Brayden Smith, Blair

Senior Division: Top Rookie Award 
3rd Place Rookie – Jett Long, Yoakum
2nd Place Rookie – Hayden Holwick, McLean
Top Rookie and winner of a $500 prize – Brayden Smith, Blair

Junior Division: Best Written Exam
3rd Place Written Exam – Alexandra Kelley, New Braunfels
2nd Place Written Exam – Kaydence Hood, Stratford
1st Place Exam and winner of a $250 prize – Jake Ressler, Hallettsville; Emma Stevenson, Earth

Junior Division: Best Presentation
3rd Place Presentation – Jenna Stevenson, Earth
2nd Place Presentation – Levi Golla, New Braunfels; Kaydence Hood, Stratford;
​Alexandra Kelley, New Braunfels
Best Presentation and winner of a $250 prize – Emma Stevenson, Earth

Junior Division: Best Individual Carcass 
3rd Place Individual Carcass – Jenna Stevenson, Earth
2nd Place Individual Carcass – Landon Koehne, Hallettsville; Abby Ressler, Hallettsville; 
Walton Marshall, Midland; Virginia Stevenson, Bushland
Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $250 prize – Levi Golla, New Braunfels; 
​Lexi Golla, New Braufels; Luke Golla, New Braunfels;  Jenna Stevenson, Earth

Junior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 
3rd Place Carcass Pen – Alexandra Kelley, New Braunfels
2nd Place Carcass Pen – Jenna Stevenson, Earth
Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $250 prize – Levi Golla, New Braunfels; Lexi Golla, New Braunfels;  Luke Golla, New Braunfels

Junior Division: Top Rookie Award 
2nd Place Rookie – Landon Koehne, Hallettsville
Top Rookie and winner of a $250 prize – Kaydence Hood, Stratford

Suzy Hicks and Cindy Shipp can be best described as a dynamic duo. The pair has worked together for almost 20 years at Dawn Custom Cattle Feeders.

Hicks, office manager, began working at the feedyard when it opened its doors. She’s often the first person to greet customers when they walk through the front door. She also keeps track of every transaction made at the feedyard.

“Whatever they do today, I'll put in my computer tomorrow,” Hicks says. “Medicine, feed, anything pertaining to the cattle, I keep track of it.”

In an office three feet from Hick’s front desk, Shipp, controller, manages the feedyard’s financials. Everything from payroll to receivables. “No day is the same in a feedyard,” Shipp says. “It's all different. It’s a new world every day.”

Suzy and Cindy attribute their loyalty to the people they work with. “We've got a great crew who gets along really well,” Hicks says, “which makes it easy to come to work every day.”

Shipp says there is an understanding amongst the employees that everyone gets to work and does their job. “We all know our jobs here,” Shipp says. “You work hard, get it done, and people show you respect.”

When asked what they like most about their jobs, both are quick to acknowledge one another and their ability to work well together. “You know, I can tell when Cindy's got a lot on her plate,” Hicks says. “We both know when to let each other work, but we also know when to chat and have a cup of coffee.”

​Both women exhibit gracious cooperation and hard work, two characteristics necessary for success at a feedyard.