 Students from across the TCFA region made their way to West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas on Friday, July 26 for the 2024 Junior Fed Beef Challenge. Over 55 contestants, who are in third through twelfth grade, delivered phenomenal performances in categories such as the written exam, junior presentations, senior interviews, top carcass and others. The goal of the contest is to expose youth to the ins and outs of feeding cattle and build the next generation of cattle feeders. Youth who participate in the contest are tasked with feeding a pen of steers, taking a written exam and participating in interviews and oral presentations. The performance of their cattle is also factored into their overall score. The 2024 Junior Fed Beef Challenge prizes were sponsored by 2024 TCFA Sponsors. In the Junior Division, the Overall Champion received a $350 prize and a trophy buckle. The overall winner was Jenna Stevenson. In the Senior Division, the First Runner-Up received a $2,000 scholarship and trophy buckle. First Runner-Up went to Quannah Dudley. The Reserve Champion received a $3,000 scholarship and trophy buckle. The Reserve Champion went to Ryan Janak. The Senior Division Overall Champion received a $5,000 scholarship and a trophy buckle. The overall winner was Kade Lawrence. Junior Division Results
Best Written Exam 3rd Place Written Exam – Tate Fritsch 2nd Place Written Exam – Crockett Guenther 1st Place Exam and winner of a $250 prize – Jenna Stevenson Best Presentation 3rd Place Presentation – Tatum Fritsch 2nd Place Presentation – Virginia Stevenson Best Presentation and winner of a $250 prize – Crockett Guenther Best Individual Carcass 3rd Place Individual Carcass – Bailey Kubecka and Clint Kubecka 2nd Place Individual Carcass – Trinity Hernandez and Jenna Stevenson Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $250 prize – Kennedy Wilhelm and McKinley Wilhelm Best Pen Steer Points 3rd Place Carcass Pen – Trinity Hernandez and Jenna Stevenson 2nd Place Carcass Pen – Baiden Beavers Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $250 prize – Kennedy Wilhelm and McKinley Wilhelm Top Rookie Award 2nd Place Rookie – Tate Fritsch Top Rookie and winner of a $250 prize – Bailey Kubecka and Tatum Fritsch Senior Division Results Best Written Exam 3rd Place Written Exam – Jake Ressler and Logan Kainer 2nd Place Written Exam – Emma Stevenson 1st Place Exam and winner of a $500 prize – Kade Lawrence Best Interview 3rd Place Interview – Ryan Janak 2nd Place Interview – Kade Lawrence Best Interview and winner of a $500 prize – Emma Stevenson Best Individual Carcass 3rd Place Individual Carcass – Cason Cribbs, Quannah Dudley and Ryan Janak 2nd Place Individual Carcass – Kade Davis and Ryan Janak Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $500 prize – Logan Kainer, Pierce Wilhelm and Kade Zinnate Best Pen Steer Points 3rd Place Carcass Pen – Ryan Janak 2nd Place Carcass Pen – Cason Cribbs and Quannah Dudley Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $500 prize – Pierce Wilhelm Top Rookie Award 3rd Place Rookie – Macey Putska 2nd Place Rookie – Logan Kainer Top Rookie and winner of a $500 prize – Ryan Janak
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Texas Cattle Feeders Association members are invited to join any of the following webinars, presented by the TCFA Finance and Taxation Committee. You can register here. If you have questions, please contact Josh Winegarner at [email protected] or Savanna Barksdale at [email protected]. Past Webinars Purchasing and Selling Cattle John Massouh, Attorney, Sprouse, Shadar, Smith PLLC David LeBas, Attorney, Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee PLLC Protecting Your Feedyard When Lending John Massouh, Attorney, Sprouse, Shadar, Smith PLLC David LeBas, Attorney, Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee PLLC Tax Relief Incentives
Mike Johanns, Chairman of Agriculture, alliantgroup and Former Secretary of Agriculture Tyler Noesser, Technical Director, alliantgroup
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 
The following is a status update on TCFA events in light of concerns surrounding COVID-19. Please know that the health and safety of participants is our number one priority. This list is subject to change as we learn more. Canceled TCFA Fed Beef Challenge - Originally scheduled for April 8 TCFA Feedyard Tech, Spring Semester - Originally scheduled for April 14-16 and 21-23 TCFA Spring Safety Seminar TCFA Feedyard Camp - Originally scheduled for June 23-26 On Schedule TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge - Contest day July 24 TCFA Convention - October 4-10, Grapevine, Texas
The TCFA 2019 Annual Convention has come and gone, and we wish we could go back. The Convention was a success with an estimated 450 in attendance.
The Opening General Session, sponsored by Farm Credit, kicked off with Levi Berry’s chairman’s address. Berry opened by sharing his appreciation for the opportunity to serve as chairman and commended TCFA members for their hard work, passion and dedication to the industry over the years.
“The day-in and day-out work of each of you is what provides people across the world with beef,” Berry said. “This is no small accomplishment.”
Berry talked about partnerships TCFA has with NCBA, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Texas Beef Council, and how those partnerships have benefited the entire beef industry. “I can’t tell you enough what your investment in the beef checkoff does for our product,” he said. “Your investment helps promote the beef industry, not just here in Texas or in the United States, but all over the world. Every dollar you invest in the national checkoff returns almost $12. Couple that with the dollar invested into the state checkoff, and that is significant added value to beef.” Berry thanked his family, volunteer leaders, the TCFA staff and membership for all they do to for the industry. “I could go on and on about the good and bad challenges facing the cattle feeding industry in 2019 — what we’ve accomplished and overcome this year alone could fill hours,” he said in closing. “What I can say is that you have remained focused and determined, and it’s those characteristics that will carry our industry successfully into the future.”
NCBA President Jennifer Houston followed with an update on federal legislative and regulatory challenges the industry will face in the coming year, and how TCFA’s partnership with NCBA is crucial to successfully navigate policy changes in the future.
Karl Rove and Jim Messina followed and spoke about how new-day media effects today’s politics. An expert consumer panel moderated by Shalene McNeill addressed red meat in a healthy diet in conjunction with nutrition improvement and weight management. Miss Texas 2019 Chandler Foreman presented awards during the annual TCFA award lunch. That evening, the Lindsey Lane Band kicked off the Cattle Feeders Get Together. The successful BEEF-PAC live auction was a highlight of the evening followed by the announcement of the first Sweepstakes winner. Tuesday’s Closing General Session covered everything from demographics and politics to an entertaining perspective on perfecting your skill for the greater good of a team. Ken Gronbach discussed how demographics impact America’s buying decisions and political choices, and Kenny Aronoff closed the session with an exciting and interesting view of individual perfection.
Thank you to everyone for attending and making the 2019 Convention a huge success. Mark your calendars for the 2020 Convention, October 4-6 in Grapevine. To see pictures from TCFA Convention, visit our Facebook or Instagram (@txcattlefeeders).
For a chance to win a new TCFA cap, take this short survey.  Students from across the state made their way to the campus of West Texas A&M University on Friday, July 26, to showcase their skills and knowledge at the 2019 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 Leroy Stavinoha of Eagle Lake. Senior Reserve Champion and winner of a $3,000 scholarship was Will Hauerland of Columbus. The First Runner-Up and winner of a $2,000 scholarship was Macy Lawrence of Canyon. In the Junior Division, Kade Lawrence was named the Overall Champion and received a $350 scholarship.  Senior Division: Best Written Exam 3rd Place Written Exam – Luke Bludau 2nd Place Written Exam – Emily Heitschmidt 1st Place Exam and winner of a $500 prize – Leroy Stavinoha Senior Division: Best Interview 3rd Place Interview – J’Cee Faith Petty 2nd Place Interview – Clayton Stevenson Best Interview and winner of a $500 prize – Macy Lawrence Senior Division: Best Individual Carcass 3rd Place Individual Carcass – Lane Golla, Will Hauerland, Leroy Stavinoha, Annemarie Metzler, J’Cee Faith Petty, Justin Schumacher, David Schoenemann and Kady Weatherford 2nd Place Individual Carcass – Shelby Berckenhoff and Luke Bludau Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $500 prize – Winston Stevenson Senior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 3rd Place Carcass Pen – Annemarie Metzler 2nd Place Carcass Pen – J’Cee Faith Petty and Justin Schumacher Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $500 prize – Winston Stevenson Senior Division: Top Rookie Award 3rd Place Rookie – Edwin Alexander Valicek 2nd Place Rookie – Annemarie Metzler Top Rookie and winner of a $500 prize – J’Cee Faith Petty Junior Division: Best Written Exam 3rd Place Written Exam – Kade Lawrence 2nd Place Written Exam – Kilian Leheska 1st Place Exam and winner of a $250 prize – Grant Kubala Junior Division: Best Presentation 3rd Place Presentation – Emma Stevenson, Grant Kubala, Hope Gleghorn 2nd Place Presentation – Brett Heitschmidt Best Presentation and winner of a $250 prize – Kade Lawrence Junior Division: Best Individual Carcass 3rd Place Individual Carcass – Cydney Kirkland and Samantha Unruh 2nd Place Individual Carcass – Alexandra Kelley and Ty Rogers Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $250 prize – Jake Ressler Junior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 3rd Place Carcass Pen – Cydney Kirkland 2nd Place Carcass Pen – Alexandra Kelley Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $250 prize – Ty Rogers Junior Division: Top Rookie Award 2nd Place Rookie – Samantha Unruh Top Rookie and winner of a $250 prize – Reese Wilson
The 2019 Junior Fed Beef Career and Leadership Program better known as "Feedyard Camp" wrapped up June 28 at West Texas A&M University. Hosted with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension and WTAMU, the four-day camp is designed for high school juniors and seniors with an interest in pursuing a career in the fed beef industry.
Students went through an application process to be selected to participate in the program. This year’s program consisted of 19 students from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and South Dakota.
Throughout the four-day program, students observed a necropsy, visited a feedyard, toured a beef processing facility, received media training, toured the WTAMU Research Feedlot and Nance Ranch, gained knowledge from a feedyard industry professional panel and more.
“Feedyard camp gives students with an interest in agriculture a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” said Brady Miller, TCFA director of market and membership. “The Amarillo area has a strong and diverse beef community, which makes it ideal for a camp like this. With feedyards, research and beef processing facilities all right here, we can give students interested in the beef industry a comprehensive learning experience that they will never forget.”
The 2019 Fed Beef Challenge was a big success, with 43 pens of cattle represented by TCFA member feedyards at the Amarillo Livestock Auction. Individuals traveled from all over to view the best fed cattle around and to participate in the live evaluation contest and the TCFA Education Foundation Calcutta. With the generous support from Feedyard Members, sponsors and TCFA supporters, $2,000 was raised in the Calcutta to go toward the TCFA Education Foundation, which is used to award scholarships to graduate students with a future in the fed beef industry. Additionally, participating feedyards graciously donated 7 head to the High Plains Food Bank’s beef fund. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s event. TCFA will announce the winners of the Fed Beef Challenge in the coming weeks. The 2019 TCFA Fed Beef Challenge results are as follows: Grand Champion Carcass Hartley Feeders Score: 117.15  Heifer Division First Place: Hartley Feeders Score: 309.26 Second Place: CanTex Feeders Score: 284.53 Third Place: Kirkland Feedyard Score: 280.75 Fourth Place: Bovina Cattle Company Score: 261.00  Mexican Steer Division First Place: F-Troop Feeders Score: 320.07 Second Place: F-Troop Feeders Score: 303.63 Third Place: Dawn Custom Cattle Feeders Score: 289.18 Fourth Place: Friona Feedyard Score: 267.69  Steer Division First Place: F-Troop Feeders Score: 298.69 Second Place: Dawn Custom Cattle Feeders Score: 270.22 Third Place: Randall County Feedyard Score: 261.93 Fourth Place: Dawn Custom Cattle Feeders Score: 253.37  Shane Barnett with F-Troop Feeders won a custom handmade saddle in the Feedyard Evaluation Contest. The trophy saddle will be presented at the 2019 TCFA Convention in Fort Worth. Dave Link of Friona Feedyard won a Kenneth Wyatt painting in the Managers “Judge Your Own” Contest. Jon DeClerck of Lubbock won first place in the Public Evaluation Contest followed by Johnny Treichel of Clarendon in second. Maddy Ainsley of Texas Tech University won first in the Collegiate Evaluation Contest followed by Austin Walter in second and Collin Cass in third — also of Texas Tech University. Thank you to all who were able to participate in the contest and congratulations to the winners. Also, a big thanks to all the TCFA sponsors who help make this event possible, especially to those sponsors who provided the meal and helped at the event. TCFA would not be successful without you. For more on contest results, please contact Brady Miller at (806) 358-3681 or [email protected].
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