Cattle Concepts Illinois Beef Expo Issue #19

#19

Show Results

Top 5 Market Animals - Ring A

Judge: Chad Holtkamp

Grand: Nalaney Guyer (XBred)

Reserve: Kade Gensini (Maine)

Third: Sam Nighitingale (XBred)

CATTLE CONCEPTS

Fourth: Brinlee Hodel (Simmental)

Fifth: Nolan Hoge (Angus)

Top 5 Market Animals - Ring B

Judge: Nick Fitzsimmons

Grand: Nalaney Guyer (XBred)

Reserve: Kade Gensini (Maine)

Third: Cole Caldwell (XBred)

Fourth: Sam Nightingale (XBred)

Fifth: Nolan Hoge (Angus)

Top 5 Breeding Heifers - Ring A

Judge: Nick Fitzsimmons

Grand: McKlay Gensini (Maine)

Reserve: Avery Seys (Maine)

Third: Breckyn Bloomberg (%Simmental)

Fourth: Kade Roeder (%Simmental)

Fifth: Chloe Boitnott (Angus)

Top 5 Breeding Heifers - Ring B

Judge: Chad Holtkamp

Grand: McKlay Gensini (Maine)

Reserve: Avery Seys (Maine)

Third: Breckyn Bloomberg (%Simmental)

Fourth: Nalaney Guyer (Maine-Angus)

Fifth: Ellie Drach (Simmental)

2024 ILLINOIS BEEF EXPO

Two years ago, I had no idea what the Illinois Beef Expo entailed, when or where it happened, or who was involved. Today, I sit here with two Expos under my belt, which according to the age-old phrase, “this ain’t my first rodeo,” I should be a pro by now. Albeit, two rodeos, or in our case expos, doesn’t seem like a lot of rodeos/expos, but I come off the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo proud and completely fulfilled in being a part of such an incredible event. The four days of Expo this year were blessed with beautiful weather and even better cattle and stockmen from across the state.

After continuous growth in recent years, the expo board and staff were faced with the struggle of squeezing in three sales, two junior contests, and a junior show all into one weekend – a good problem to have no doubt. Thus, came about this year’s schedule change, adding a third show day.

by Devin Bollman

We started our junior show of over 750 entries with our Market Animal show on Friday, alleviating so much pressure on showman, cattle, and our judges as the weekend continued into Saturday and Sunday’s junior show. Prior to our junior show, the 2024 Beef Expo brought the return of the Illinois Multi-Breed Female Sale and “The Collection” Genetics Sale for the second year, with of course the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale put on by the University of Illinois Beef Extension. Cattlemen from across the state, and out of state gathered and placed bids in-person and online to capture their chance at some of the most elite genetics Illinois has to offer. Beyond the showring, junior members have so many opportunities during the Illinois Beef Expo to be involved and partake in events. Black Hawk East’s livestock judging team hosts the judging contest, which packed the

Illinois Beef Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Junior Scholarship Recipients

Aubrey Wagner, Onarga

Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound

Drew Mickey, Taylorville

Ella Thacker, Walnut

Cimeron Frost Video

We were honored to share a video memorializing the late Cimeron Frost at the IBA Booth during the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo. View the video on Illinois Beef’s Youtube page.

Sales Report

Kramer Farms Breed: Angus

Multi-Breed Female Sale Springfield, IL | Feb. 23

Head: 41

Average: $4,634

High Selling Lot: Lot 10 - $16,500

Consinor: Circle S Farms

Lot Type: Purebred Simmental Heifer

The Collection - Genetics Sale Springfield, IL | Feb. 23

Lots: 137

Embryo Average: $1,156

Semen Average: $962

High Selling Lot: $35,000

Consinor: Richland Farms Lot Type: Clone

Obernagel Livestock Center! FFA and 4-H groups traveled into Springfield from all over, even Chicago, to take part in the livestock judging contest. Dr. Eric Fugate and the Illinois SkillA-Thon team host a separate event, the Skill-A-Thon that all juniors had the opportunity to compete in as well. Both events bring such a huge crowd of young ag and beef enthusiasts to the Illinois Beef Expo.

As someone who comes from the industry, I take pride in knowing how much an event like the Illinois Beef Expo provides to all generations of cattlemen and women. From the sales to the junior show, the contests to the tradeshow, and the friends in the barns, there are thousands of memories made. Illinois’ beef industry has something so special here with the Illinois Beef Expo, and I am so grateful to share a piece of myself, and the IBA with our industry.

Top Ten Exhibitors IJBA Points Show Program

2023 Top Ten Steer Exhibitors

Lyla Mollett, Mulberry Grove

Myah Little, Murrayville

Madeline Nightingale, Orion

Kinley Stolte, Nokomis

Dash Simpsen, Downs

Lilly Gillespie, Toulon

Kinlynn Dryer, Merna

Maddox Reedy, Tuscola

Kylie Gillespie, Toulon

Parker Lewis, Salem

2023 Top Ten Heifer Exhibitors

Lizzie Schafer, Owaneco

Maddox Reedy, Tuscola

Paige Lemenager, Hudson

Ashlyn Mool, Lexington

Jemma Dorsey, Moro

Brody Ingram, Winchester

Konnor Campbell, Carrolton

Brenna Bartlow, Monticello

Megan Mollett, Mulberry Grove

Claire Dorsey, Moro

Senior Scholarship Recipients

Katelyn Engel, Galesburg

Lilie Perry, Paris

Natalie Evans, Jacksonville

Reese Anderson, Chrisman

Cimeron Frost Memorial

Cimeron Frost Memorial Grand Champion Heifer Ring B McKlay Gensini, Hennepin