view archived news articles
Posted 07/02/2026
For immediate release:
July 1, 2026
For more information, contact:
Jade Koski, NDSA special projects director: (701) 223-2522 • jkoski@ndstockmen.org
Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org
Elizabeth Hasenwinkel, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • ehasenwinkel@ndstockmen.org
Youth compete at 31st North Dakota Junior Beef Expo
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) welcomed nearly 60 youth exhibitors and their families to the 31st annual North Dakota Junior Beef Expo (NDJBE) June 27-28 at the McKenzie County Ag Expo in Watford City, N.D.
“The Junior Beef Expo was started to provide an opportunity for youth to gain interest and involvement in the beef industry,” said NDJBE Chairman Kiley Kvamme, a Turtle Lake, N.D., agriculture education teacher. “Beyond the competition, the event provides valuable opportunities for exhibitors to learn, connect with fellow cattle enthusiasts and develop lifelong skills.”
On Saturday, exhibitors participated in a beef trivia scavenger hunt. The activity combined beef education with friendly competition. The winning team included Hudson, Hayes and Hoyt Dukart of Richardton, N.D., and Asher and Bergen Bullinger of Dickinson, N.D.
The cattle show began Sunday morning. Fifty-two heifers, representing 10 breeds, and 17 market animals were exhibited, followed by the pee wee, junior and senior showmanship competitions.
Evelina Jacobson of Watford City, N.D., exhibited the supreme champion female, SFC LSC Frontier 541, an April 12, 2025, daughter of SCC SCH 24 Karat 838, which was first the champion Angus female. Drew Erickson of Plaza, N.D., exhibited the reserve champion female, BR DREAMER 5524N, an April 12, 2025, daughter of SO REMEDY 7F, which was first the champion Simmental female. Nora Weidert of Des Lacs, N.D., exhibited the champion market animal, a steer weighing 1,410 pounds on show day. Vance Mrnak of Bowman, N.D., exhibited the reserve champion market animal, a heifer weighing 1,245 pounds on show day.
Other heifer breed champions included the following:
Champion Charolais Female: Bennett Mrnak of Bowman, N.D.;
Champion Chi-Influence Female: Dakota Hystad of Great Falls, Mont.;
Champion Hereford Female: Hayes Dukart of Richardton, N.D.;
Champion Limousin Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva, N.D.;
Champion Maine Female: Ashtyn Erickson of Plaza, N.D.;
Champion Red Angus Female: Sawyer Brossart of Rugby, N.D.;
Champion Sim-Influence Female: Ashtyn Erickson of Plaza, N.D.; and
Champion Commercial Female: Elizabeth Hanson of Velva, N.D.
In the showmanship competitions, Ainsley Johnson of Upham, N.D., won the peewee showmanship division; Vance Mrnak of Bowman, N.D., won the junior showmanship division; and Ashton Smeltzer of Glendive, Mont., won the senior showmanship division. Reserve champion showmen were Everett Hynek of Ross, N.D.; Dakota Hystad of Great Falls, Mont.; and Lilly Solemsaas of Sherwood, N.D., in the peewee, junior and senior divisions, respectively.
John Hogberg judged the show. Hogberg is a native of Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada. He and his family own Bar-H Land & Cattle, a Hereford and Angus operation. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and was a member of its 2020-2021 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.
Another NDJBE highlight included the Hardest Worker Award, which was presented to Dakota Hystad of Great Falls, Mont. Carson Sys of Douglas, N.D., won another prestigious award, the NDSA Member Award, and $100 cash in the drawing. All NDSA-member exhibitors were eligible for the latter prize.
The NDJBE Planning Committee was composed of Haley Anderson of Lisbon, N.D.; Paul Hanebutt of New Salem, N.D.; Kiley Kvamme of Turtle Lake, N.D.; Eva Tastad of Rolette, N.D.; and Hope Willson of Wimbledon, N.D.
“The Junior Beef Expo is a great example of how the NDSA supports the next generation of beef producers,” said Kvamme. “The weekend gives young people the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills and build lasting friendships within the beef industry.”
Next year’s show is scheduled for June 26-27, 2027.
For more information about the NDJBE, contact NDSA Special Projects Director Jade Koski at (701) 223-2522 or jkoski@ndstockmen.org.
The NDJBE is a project of the NDSA Seedstock Council.
###
Photos of NDJBE winners are available upon request.
Prev Next