Last Sunday, 4-H beef project enthusiasts packed the Jerauld-Buffalo County 4-H grounds on a beautiful, fall day on November 12, 2023, to participate in the 15th Annual Springs Showdown Calf Show. Over seventy youth from South Dakota and Minnesota exhibited 106 heifers and 52 market steers and heifers. The show also included a 4-H livestock skill-a-thon for youth to demonstrate their livestock knowledge.
Joe Epperly, the director of genetics and sales for Wagonhammer Ranches in Bartlett, NE, evaluated the breeding heifers. Reed Parker, herd manager for Landgren Ranch in Bartlett, NE, judged the market ring. Steer and heifer shows ran simultaneously which allowed participants to capitalize on the daylight. Both judges worked together to judge the showmanship contests. For more pictures check out the Springs Showdown Facebook group.
“As a non-profit show, sponsors play a huge role in the success of this show, and we couldn’t do it without their support. Over $10,000 in sponsorships and entry fees were paid back to youth in attendance,” said Erin Yost, Springs Showdown committee treasurer. “On behalf of the committee, thank you to all who support the Springs Showdown!” Awards
Top five overall breeding heifers included: Champion, Kiarra Lambert, Highmore, SD, with an Foundation Simmental heifer; Reserve Champion, Kerstynn Heim, Wessington Springs, SD, with a MaineTainer heifer; third, Creighton Werning, Emery, SD, with an AOB heifer; fourth, Oaklyn Plamp, Mitchell, SD with a Commercial heifer; fifth, Kianna Hazel, Beresford, SD, with an Angus heifer.
Top five overall market beef included: Champion, Cannon Reimann, Ree Heights, SD, with a X-bred steer; Reserve Champion, Kaebry Woodin, Wessington Springs, SD, with a Market heifer; third, Makynna Heim, Wessington Springs with a Chianina steer; fourth, Tucker Micheel, Cavour, SD with a Chianina steer; and fifth, Ty Bergh, Florence, SD, with a X-bred steer.
Showmanship
Top five beginner showmanship winners: Champion, Palmer Nielson, Arlington, SD; Reserve Champion, Thatcher Werning, Emery, SD, third, Harper Torgerson, Artesian, SD; fourth, Scarlett Radke, Mitchell, SD; fifth, Baylor Pazour, Pukwana, SD.
Top five junior showmanship winners: Champion, Creighten Werning; Reserve Champion, Jennings Pazour, Pukwana, SD; third, Kianna Hazel, Beresford SD; fourth, Kane Grace, Humbolt, SD; fifth, Croix Reimann, Ree Heights, SD.
Top five senior showmanship winners: Champion, Kerstynn Heim, Wessington Springs, SD; Reserve Champion, Taylor Harriman, Parker, SD; third, Kyla Peskey, Iroquois, SD; fourth, Payton Beare, Ree Heights, SD; fifth, Ashlyn Roudabush, Mitchell, SD.
4-H Skill-a-thon Contest Eighty youth competed in the livestock skill-a-thon contest. The knowledge test included breed identification, meat identification, parts identification, feed identification and livestock math. Top Five Beginners: First place, Pasor Plamp, Sanborn County; second, Remi Yost, Jerauld-Buffalo County; third, Lily Cody, Minnehaha County; fourth, Abigail Kemner, Union County; fifth, Scarlett Radke, Sanborn County. Top Five Juniors: First place, Lyla Bothe, Brookings County; second, Jessie Coyle, Hand County; third, Hollis Fawcett, Hand County; fourth, Hunter Heezen, Jerauld-Buffalo County; fifth, Jennings Pazour, Brule County. Top Five Seniors: First Ryann Grussing, Brule County; second, Harlee Heim, Jerauld Buffalo County; third, Ashlyn Roudabush, Davison County; fourth, Charlie Cody, Minnehaha County; fifth tie, Hannah Heezen and Carissa Scheel, Jerauld-Buffalo County.
