THE LAND — NOVEMBER 3, 2017
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
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Youth become cattle producers when they receive heifers By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer ST. PAUL, Minn. — Each October at the Minnesota Beef Expo, the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program awards heifer calves to young people so they can achieve their dreams of entering the beef business. Katie Fitzgerald, 2016 winner of an Angus heifer donated by Purfeerst Farms, summed up being a MYBEP winner this way: “Over the course of our time together, Eli, my heifer, has become one of my best friends and always puts a smile on my face.” Young people ages 12-16 involved in FFA, a junior breed association or 4-H from the five-state area of Minnesota and surrounding states are eligible. Recipients also get an Andis clipper, two straws of semen from Select Sires, a show stick, a clipper bag, halter and neck rope, and 200 pounds of grain from Purina. This year almost 90 individuals applied for one of the 11 MYBEP heifers. Claudine Goodrich is MYBEP coordinator. She said, “This program very effectively helps young people fulfill their dreams to become beef people and helps advance their goals to someday become part of this essential and great industry.” Applicants must meet certain criteria including a commitment to agriculture, defined goals, financial need and a proper setting to raise the animal. They write a letter of intent and garner two recommendations. Judges review applications. Getting a heifer calf is a big responsibility. Each recipient is responsible for raising and breeding the heifer. They must maintain records and provide reports, prepare a scrap book of highlights, compete in several shows and communicate with the coordinator and mentor several times a month. The idea for this program grew from Minnesota Beef Expo board members. They realized each had a mentor who helped guide them in raising cattle. Therefore, the board members wanted to generate a program that provided a heifer to a young person and encouraged the young person to connect with a knowledgeable cattleperson. “Some great examples of the impact of MYBEP on recipients are Matthew Pearson and Adam Anderson. Pearson of Pearson Cattle received a Simmental heifer in 2005 from Gramms Farm, and now 12 years later is giving a heifer to Grace Britton. Adam Anderson of Sleepy Eye Creek Farm won an Angus heifer donated by Joe Hammel of Freeburg Ridge Farm in 2008. Now nine years later, Adam is donating a heifer to Kodi Bunderman. These two young men are unselfishly paying it forward,” said Goodrich. The motto of MYBEP is “inspiring youth in agriculture by helping dreams come true.” Goodrich estimated at least 90 percent of the participants stay in agriculture. Another feature is the MYBEP Achievement Award. One winner is selected from the youth who
Photo by Dick Hagen
Claudine Goodrich is Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program coordinator.
received a free heifer the previous year. This winner returns to the expo with their bred heifer and competes in showmanship and interview. The winner of this award receives a $750 check from Minnesota Farmers Union, an embroidered gift from Sanctified Designs and a 2017 Achievement Award belt buckle. A previous Achievement Award winner was Valerie Earley, who won an Angus heifer donated in 2012 by Bruce and LeeAnn Waugh. Earley is currently one of the six National FFA officers. She has been on the road for over 300 days, visiting 33 states, inspiring youth to pursue agriculte. She went to the White House, speaking to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding the future of agriculture. The 2017 heifer donors and recipients are: Adrienne Lipinski, Eden Valley, received the Charolais heifer sponsored by the Minnesota/Wisconsin Charolais Association and the mentor will be the Chad Zehender family. Ezra Buck, Owatonna, received the Charolais heifer sponsored by RJB Cattle, Rodney and Jolen Balvitsch, Cassy and Caleb Buch, and Cole Balvitsch from Ellendale of the Minnesota/Wisconsin Charolais Association. Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, received the Hereford heifer sponsored by JMF Herefords and SimAngus, Jared, Makayla, Jaelyn, Tayton, and Ty Flower from Holloway of the Minnesota Hereford Breeders. Julia Biscoe, Cottage Grove, received the Limousin heifer sponsored by Wulf Cattle from Morris of the Minnesota Limousin Association. Bryce Skiba, North Branch, received the Red Angus heifer sponsored by Compeer Financial and mentored by Steve Pomerenke of Compeer Financial. Abby Thompson, Grove City, received the Shorthorn heifer sponsored by Auburnview Farms, Dan, Trisha, Kyle, Zack, Zoe and Jase Wanous from Glencoe, of the Minnesota Shorthorn Association.
Grace Mortenson, Danvers, received the Simmental heifer sponsored by double E Cattle Company, Ed and Ethanie Schmidt and family from Tracy, of the Minnesota Simmental Association. Grace Britton, Janesville, received the Simmental heifer sponsored by Pearson Cattle, Neil and Sheila Pearson and Matt and Brianna Pearson, Grove City, of the Minnesota Simmental Association. Aliana Chute, Aitkin, received the South Devon heifer sponsored by Valley Hill Farm, Todd Leonard and Lance Brantner, Ellsworth, Wis., and members of the Northern States South Devon Association. Kodi Bundermann, Alexandria, received the Angus heifer sponsored by Sleepy Eye Creek Angus, Jay and Adam Anderson, Springfield, and the Minnesota Angus Association. On Oct. 19, MYBEP hosted the Beef Ideas and Insights Symposium, featuring Kevin Oschner, host of RFD TV Cattlemen to Cattlemen, at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The workshop covered nutrition, breeding, handling, financial needs, transportation and breed profiles. Industry and educational professionals and leading cattle producers conduct these sessions. The final heifer, sponsored by Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, was awarded that evening. Gavin Rohner was the lucky 14-year old from Pennock who received the Simmental heifer purchased earlier at the Beef Expo sale. His mentor will be Dar Giess and Ashley Kohls. v
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