Spencer, Dorsey exhibit grand champion heifers at Illinois Beef Expo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Fifteen breed champions vied for the Grand Champion Heifer title at the 2022 Illinois Beef Expo.

Reece Thoreson, Knoxville, Iowa, led his Angus heifer to the banner in Ring A. Claire Dorsey, Moro, led her Champion Percentage Simmental heifer to the banner in Ring B.

A total of 494 breeding animals were exhibited in the junior heifer show.

There was a two-ring show format to allow exhibitors to show cattle twice in one weekend. Ring A was open to both in-state and out-of-state exhibitors, while Ring B was only open to in-state exhibitors.

Zack Butler, Milton, Tennessee, evaluated the entries in Ring A, and judge Miles Shout, Yukon, Oklahoma, evaluated Ring B.

Butler selected Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer by Wade Spencer, Logan, Iowa, as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring A. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Maine-Angus Heifer shown by Emma Preston, Reynolds.

Lillian Unger, Chebanse, exhibited her Champion Simmental Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Champion Polled Hereford Heifer shown by Stetson Storey, Stockton.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Heifer title in Ring A:

• Champion Commercial Heifer exhibited by Brenna Bartlow, Monticello.

• Champion Horned Hereford Heifer exhibited by Houston Stapleton, Clinton.

• Champion Chianina Heifer exhibited by Mackenzie Neal, New Lebanon, Ohio

• Champion Limousin Heifer exhibited by Kesler Collins, Flanagan.

• Champion Maine Heifer exhibited by Avery Seys, Coal Valley.

• Champion Mainetainer Heifer exhibited by William Miller, Gridley.

• Champion Red Angus Heifer exhibited by Paige VanDyke, Louisville.

• Champion Shorthorn Heifer exhibited by Kesler Collins, Flanagan.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer exhibited by Miranda Reed, Cambridge.

Shout selected Champion Angus Heifer shown by Paige Lemenager, Hudson, as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring B. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Maine-Angus Heifer exhibited by Emma Preston, Reynolds.

Carter Hoge, Good Hope, exhibited his Champion Simmental Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Champion Commercial Heifer shown by Jess Hawk, Earlville.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Heifer title in Ring B:

• Champion Horned Hereford Heifer exhibited by Stetson Storey, Stockton.

• Champion Polled Hereford Heifer exhibited by Stetson Storey, Stockton.

• Champion Chianina Heifer exhibited by McKlay Gensini, Hennepin.

• Champion Limousin Heifer exhibited by Kesler Collins, Flanagan.

• Champion Maine Heifer exhibited by Charlee Jones, Gridley.

• Champion Mainetainer Heifer exhibited by Nolan Hoge, Good Hope.

• Champion Red Angus Heifer exhibited by Paige Van Dyke, Louisville.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer exhibited by Wyatt Dryer, Merna.

• Champion Shorthorn Heifer exhibited by Kesler Collins, Flanagan.

The title sponsors of the 2022 Illinois Beef Expo included Compeer Financial, Earlybird Nutrition, Show-Rite, Stephens Trailer Sales, Travs Ova Genetics and Western Illinois University.

In addition, Elanco and Unbarger Show Feeds were platinum sponsors of the event, while Bar QH Simmentals, Bloomberg Cattle, Dearwester Grain Services, Farm Credit of Illinois, Interglobe Sire Service, Keller Veterinary Service, Kent Feeds, SC Online Sales and Zoetis served as gold sponsors.

Silver sponsors included Four Corners Farms, United Producers Inc., Hopedale Agri-Center Inc., Agri-King, Maurer-Stutz, Head Brothers, ADM, Huber Farms Show Cattle and Vytelle at Timbercrest.