Junior Junior The The Connection Connection
Vol. 8 Vol. 8
INSIDE THE ISSUE INSIDE THE ISSUE
American Berkshire Association News
Southwest Throwdown Results
Southwest Throwdown Junior Board Perspective
Word Search
Skillathon Corner
Announcement of the 2026 Marketing + Events Intern
Spring Semen Sale Consignors
Sweet Peach Regional Results
Sweet Peach Regional Junior Board Perspective
2026 National Junior Show Schedule
The Director’s Perspective
The Junior Connection Podcast
Answer Key
2025-26 Team Purebred Sponsors
throwdown throwdown
PurebredGilts PurebredGilts
PurebredBarrows PurebredBarrows
Champion Crossbred Gilt Champion Crossbred Gilt
Awakening x Stay Classy Holt Livestock
throwdown throwdown
CROSSBRED BARROWS + GILTS CROSSBRED BARROWS + GILTS
ReserveChampionCrossbredGilt ReserveChampionCrossbredGilt
Conviction x Heavy Hitter Reed Livestock
ReserveChampionCrossbredBarrow ReserveChampionCrossbredBarrow
White Flag x Picture This Herrein Showmanship Showmanship
Novice:ChampionAliviaCadle,ReserveSadieJoImler,3 JJ Henderson,4 SapphiraHenderson,5 KinleeSchuelein,6 BennettFranke,7 HadleeHoward,8 MackSchmaling,
9 GraceKenney,10 CaydenCastle
Intermediate:ChampionKateHeikes,ReserveElimHigbie,3 AustinWeber,4 RykerHiggins,5 AnahHigbie,6 Hunter Schwindt,7 MadelynnParker,8 KenselyBrown, rd th th th th th 9 EmersynnWatkins,10 TinleyRoberts th
ChampionCrossbredBarrow ChampionCrossbredBarrow Voss Showpigs
Junior:ChampionKinleyHeikes,ReserveAuroraCadle,3 HaileyLesher,4 WhitleeMoser,5 AlexBullard,6 Payzlee Hamer,7 LaneHopkins,8 LeilaniHenderson,
9 GraysonSchmaling,10 CarolineKenny
Senior:ChampionDrewWelch,ReserveEmmaOtt,3 Bradee McDonald,4 LilyLunsford,5 KadenSteiner,6 EmilyStorey, 7 RyanMongeau,8 CheyanneChuleewah,9 AnnaSteiner
2024-26 Junior Board of Directors 2024-26 Junior Board of Directors
throwdown throwdown
Team Purebred was excited to finally be in Oklahoma for the 2026 Southwest Throwdown to kick off the new year! After a few months off since Music Drive and with winter storm Fern pushing us back a week and causing a location change, it was great to finally get to see all of the exhibitors and their families in Stillwater. With Southwest Throwdown being my favorite Team Purebred regional, this is a show that I had been looking forwardtoallwinteranditdefinitelydidnotdisappoint!
We started off the weekend with trailers rolling in, unloading, and settling in Friday morning. With it being a jam-packed show in just two days we didn’t waste any time and knocked out breed typing and check in that afternoon and then rolled right in to showmanship that evening which brought four intense rounds of showmen fighting for the top ten in each division. We ended the night with everyone’s favorite, a quick round of barnyardolympicswhereeveryonealwayscomesoutontop! Saturday morning, we were ready to rumble in the showring, starting the day off with our gilt show. Our judge for the weekend, Kyle Baade, sorted a great group of gilts to the top of each division and ended the first half of the day with two exceptional grand drives. The barrow show brought just as much punch, and we rounded out the show with two sets of top five barrows each walking away with a set of banners and of course the Champion and Reserve overall taking home a new championsbeltandboxinggloves.
Whileweweren’tabletohavethefullweekendthatweplanned, we rolled with the punches and made the most of every moment.We are thankfulfor Payne County andtheir great staff forhostingusandforalltheexhibitorsandfamiliesthatbraved the cold to spend the weekend with us! Thank you all and we can’twaittoseeeveryoneinSpringfieldthissummer!
WORD SEARCH
SKILLATHONCORNER
A. Teats
B. Dewclaw
C. Tail
D. Snout
E. Neck
F. Loin
G. Shoulder
H. Ham
I. Stifle
J. Elbow Pocket
K. Cannon Bone
L. Pastern
M. Hock
N. Back O. Rump
THANKYOU THANKYOU to our 2026 Spring Semen Sale consignors! to our 2026 Spring Semen Sale consignors!
Albright Swine Farms - Bona Vista Farms - CKL Spots - Crossroads GeneticsCryosires - Farrer Stock Farms - Genetic Edge - Hi Point Genetics - Henke LivestockJDM Genetics - Jennings Showpigs - Knauth + Olson Boars - Laird’s Premium Blend
Genetics - North Iowa Boar Stud - Ottenwalter Showpigs - Ploeger Show Pigs - Real
McCoy Genetics - Schminke Genetics - Sixty-Six Ventures - SixFifty ShowpigsShaffer’s Goldrush - Showtime Sires - Southern Gold - Southern Select - Squires
Genetics - Stohlquist Show Pigs - Todd Showpigs - Top Cut - Triggs Show PigsUpperhand Genetics - W-D Swine Farm - West Texas Genetics - Winnercircle Showpigs
Five NJSA Gilts Top Five NJSA Gilts
Taulman
Strueh
Showmanship Showm
Novice: Champion Garrison Sears, Reserve Lillian Griffin, 3 Brody Ball, 4 Drake Tucker, 5 Easton Bennett, 6 Emery Bennett, 7 Estley Cox, 8 Tatum Jones, 9 Laramie Jo Holt, 10 Bowen Cox
Junior: Champion Monroe Wolka, Reserve Blakely Johnston, 3 Khloe Vaughn, 4 Berkley Starr, 5 Bailey Ball, 6 Emersynn Sears, 7 Aurora Cadle, 8 Lettie Holt, 9 Parker Clark,
William Messer
Intermediate: Champion Alexia Wilt, Reserve Owen Bridges, 3 Garrett Reed, 4 Kinsley Nier, 5 Rowen Cloud, 6 Emily Wall, 7 Janelle Seabring, 8 Hunter Smith, 9 Colten Evinger,
10 Kaylee Bellamy
Senior: Champion Anna Penland, Reserve Cara Greiner, 3 Paityn Hafner, 4 Addy Winchester, 5 Tessa Ortman, 6 Kali Kimbler, 7 Katey Conley, 8 Carson Black, 9 Emma Ramsey, 10 Seth Troglin
Judging Judging
Intermediate: Champion Emma Kimbell, Reserve Rya Hoch, 3
Malley Sipes, 4 Conner Ortman, 5 Rory Chisum, 6 Ava Polman, 7 Alex Chisum, 8 Corbyn Wilt, 9 Brock Booth,
10 Jillian Young th
Senior: Champion Tessa Ortman, Reserve Clayton Peters, 3
Madelyn Tallent, 4 Anna Steiner, 5 Addison Waters, 6 Austin Amick, 7 Myrisa Schumacher, 8 Seth Troglin,
9 Kaden Steiner, 10 Bradee McDonald
Novice: Champion Brody Ball, Reserve Easton Bennett, 3 Drake Tucker, 4 Emery Bennett, 5 Estley Cox, 6 Bowen Cox, 7 Laramie Jo Holt, 8 Lillian Griffin, 9 Joanna Grace Crowder, 10 Garrison Sears
th
Junior: Champion Parker Clark, Reserve Bailey Ball, 3
Ashlynn Zavaro, 4 Jett Judson, 5 William Zavaro, 6 Emma Cloud, 7 Reed Reno, 8 Titus Rue, 9 Becca Kate Thompson,
10 Khloe Vaughn th
Intermediate: Champion Lauren Waters, Reserve Corbyn Wilt, 3 Cassie Norman, 4 Drew Williams, 5 Rya Hoch, 6 Emma Bennett, 7 Emily Wall, 8 Rachel Strueh, 9 Rose Hodnett,
10 Kaytlin Barry th
Senior: Champion Nate Larrance, Reserve Carson Black, 3 Carley Bellamy, 4 Keifer Pankey, 5 Emma Ramsey, 6 Jorga Ledford, 7 Madelyn Tallent, 8 Stella Cothran, 9 Addy Winchester, 10 Paityn Hafner
Novice: Champion Lillian Griffin, Reserve Drake Tucker, 3 Brody Ball, 4 Easton Bennett, 5 Emery Bennett, 6 Garrison Sears, 7 Estley Cox, 8 Laramie Jo Holt, 9 Bowen Cox
Junior: Champion Charlee Stone, Reserve Khloe Vaughn, 3 Ashylnn Zavaro, 4 Justin Burrell, 5 Aurora Cadle, 6 Monroe Wolka, 7 Cullen McNeece, 8 Braxton Armstrong,
9 Sloane Dieter, 10 Audrey Evinger th
Novice: Champion Brody Ball, Reserve Drake Tucker, 3 Lillian Griffin, 4 Easton Bennett, 5 Emery Bennett, 6 Garrison Sears, 7 Estley Cox,
8 Laramie Jo Holt, 9 Bowen Cox th th
Junior: Champion Khloe Vaughn, Reserve Ashlynn Zavaro, 3 Monroe Wolka, 4 Baliey Ball, 5 Parker Clark, 6 Aurora Cadle, 7 Charlee Stone, 8 Blakely Johnston, 9 Jett Judson, 10 Justin Burrell
Intermediate: Champion Rya Hoch, Reserve Corbyn Wilt, 3 Alexia Wilt, 4 Emma Kimbell, 5 Lauren Waters, 6 Emily Wall, 7 Garrett Reed, 8 Malley Sipes, 9 Cassie Norman, 10 Kinsley Nier
Senior: Champion Tessa Ortman, Reserve Carson Black, 3 Madelyn Tallent, 4 Nate Larrance, 5 Paityn Hafner, 6 Addy Winchester, 7 Clayton Peters, 8 Emma Ramsey, 9 Carley Bellamy,
10 Keifer Pankey
The Junior Board Perspective The Junior Board Perspective
Cydney Bertolino Cydney Bertolino
2026 Junior Board of 2026 Junior Board of Directors Chairman Directors Chairman
The last two years I have had the opportunity to join the team at the Sweet Peach Regional. It very quickly became one of my favorite shows because as a Midwest resident, it is really nice to travel south for some sunshine and warmer weather during the thick of winter. The team arrived at the brand new facility onThursdayafternoon,weweregreetedwithsunshineandone of the best facility crews we have had the chance to work with. After getting things settled in on Thursday, we moved into Fridaywherewehelpedgetexhibitorsandtheirfamiliessettled all afternoon and then quickly moved into breed typing and check in. Saturday morning came bright and early where we kicked off the day with the second round of breed typing and check-in. After everyone was checked in we moved very efficiently into the skillathon and judging contest and then rolled right into showmanship. After a few very tough showmanship divisions we quickly moved into the gilt show. The gilt show was full of quality, after selecting breed champions we moved into the cross grand drive and both of the grand drives. Following the gilt show champions being crowned, we moved right into sweepstakes where we awarded our very talented exhibitors. Our last day in the sunshine came onSundayasourjudgeMr.BenLenigcontinuedtosortthrough the deep quality of pigs exhibited. All that was left on Sunday was the barrow show that ended with the cross drive and both the NJSA and Team Purebred Grand Drives. After the show was over, the most dreaded part of all was commencing- tearing down and cleaning up. Once the team got everything cleaned up we said our goodbyes and talked about how we were ready to take on Fabulous Springfield! I can not wait to see you all there,teamandIhavesomanyexcitingthingscoming!
THE DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE THE DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Cheslea Cheslea Schminke-Grieder Schminke-Grieder
Director of Junior Director of Junior Events + Activities Events + Activities
HelloAll!
The momentum from this winter show season has been nothing short of exciting! Across the country, exhibitors, families, and breeders all came together to showcase outstandingdedicationtotheirprojectsthispastseason.From qualityintheringtothecamaraderiebehindthescenes,this winter's events highlighted just how bright our future of the industryis.Weappreciateallthesupportandlovethatwefeel aswecontinuetocreateeventsforyouall.
Aswecelebratethesuccessfromthewintershowseason,the excitement is building for our annual National Junior Show! Thiseventisoneofthemostanticipatedeventsoftheyearfor usandourteamisputtingintheworktomakesurethisevent leaves an impactful mark. We continue to put our priority aroundourfamilies,theyouthandthetraditionofexcellence that defines our industry. Be on the lookout on all our platformsformoreinformation!
THANK YOU TO OUR THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-26 SPONSORS 2025-26
DIAMOND DIAMOND
AG-Gear AG-Gear
Certified Pedigreed Swine Certified Pedigreed Swine
SPONSORS
GOLD GOLD
Armstrong Genetics Armstrong Genetics
Earlybird Earlybird
National Pork Board
National Pork Board
SCO Online Sales SCO Online Sales
Showpig.com Showpig.com
EMERALD EMERALD
Iberg Showpigs Iberg Showpigs
Iowa Pork Producers Association Iowa Pork Producers Association
JR Reid JR Reid
Jimmy’s Naturals Jimmy’s Naturals
Pig Planet + UpperHand Genetics Pig Planet + UpperHand Genetics
Schminke Genetics Schminke Genetics
Cimarron/Supreme Trailers
Cimarron/Supreme Trailers
Shaffer’s Goldrush Shaffer’s Goldrush
H.E. Smith Company, Inc.
H.E. Smith Company, Inc.
Lindner Show Feeds Lindner Show Feeds
Umbarger Feeds Umbarger Feeds
Tamworth Association Tamworth Association
PLATINUM PLATINUM
Danner Livestock Danner Livestock
Hueber Feeds Hueber Feeds
Illinois Pork Producers Illinois Pork Producers
Indiana Pork Producers Indiana Pork Producers
Kent Show Feeds Kent Show Feeds
Show-Rite Show-Rite
ShowTec ADM ShowTec ADM
Sunglo Sunglo
Team Pork Team Pork
Weaver Livestock Weaver Livestock
Shepherd’s Chevrolet Shepherd’s Chevrolet
PrimaLac/OnFeed PrimaLac/OnFeed
Primo Feeds Primo Feeds
Stayton Farms Stayton Farms
Sullivan’s Show Supply Sullivan’s Show Supply
The Ohio State University The Ohio State University
Trans Ova Genetics
Trans Ova Genetics
Walton Webcasting Walton Webcasting
Zimmerman Family Farms Zimmerman Family Farms
SILVER SILVER
Genter Show Stock Genter Show Stock
Lowdermilk Show Pigs Lowdermilk Show Pigs
BRONZE BRONZE
CKL Spots CKL Spots
Clint High Farms Clint High Farms
Missouri Pork Association Missouri Pork Association
Schmaling Brothers Berkshires Schmaling Brothers Berkshires