April 2026 Shorthorn Country

april 2026 issue 4 • volume 53

7607 NW Prairie View Rd, Platte Woods, MO 64151-1544 816-599-7777 www.shorthorncountry.net

Country

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And Discounts:

Contract rates require advertising in all 11 issues per year with a business card ad. Business card price is pre-paid at the beginning of the calendar year or pro-rated if started after the first issue of the year. Contract (11x) rates do not apply for any sale advertising. Contract advertisers must run the business card ad in every issue. Contracts will run by calendar year. No agency commissions are allowed.

Online Sale Packages & Sale Catalogs

Contact us about your upcoming Online Sale or Sale Catalogs for marketing options and pricing.

Don Cagwin, publisher

Amy Studer, managing editor/creative director 816-599-7777 • amy@shorthorncountry.org

Amanda Cagwin, accountant • amandacagwin@yahoo.com

Advertising Representatives

Cindy Cagwin-Johnston 217-452-3051 • cagwincattle@casscomm.com

Darryl Rahn 217-473-1124 • drahn@casscomm.com

Jay Carlson, Carlson Media Group, LLC 913-268-5725 • Jay@carlsonmediagroup.com

Advisory Council

Montie Soules, ASA representative

Don Cagwin, Durham Management Co.

Subscriptions

US: 1 year- $24 • 2 years - $38 • 3 years - $52 1 year US First Class - $54/year

Canada: 1 year- $60 • 2 years - $110 • 3 years - $130 Other Foreign: 1 year- $120 • 2 years - $220 • 3 years - $300

SHORTHORN COUNTRY

(ISSN 0149-9319) Published monthly (except June) by the American Shorthorn Association, 7607 NW Prairie View Rd., Platte Woods, MO 64151. Subscription rates are $24.00 for 1 year, $38.00 for 2 years, and $52.00 for 3 years in the U.S.; $60.00 for 1 year, $110.00 for 2 years, and $130.00 for 3 years to Canada and $120.00 for 1 year, $220.00 for 2 years, and $300.00 for 3 years to other foreign countries. Periodicals postage

MO and additional mailing

POSTMASTER: send address changes to SHORTHORN COUNTRY, 7607 NW Prairie View Rd.,

Woods, MO 64151.

Shorthorn Update

American Shorthorn Association

7607 NW Prairie View Rd.

Kansas City, MO 64151-1544 816-599-7777 • www.shorthorn.org

Montie D. Soules, asa executive secretary/CEO montie@shorthorn.org

Heather Lange, director of office operations; customer service, registrations & DNA • heather@shorthorn.org

Shelby Diehm, director of youth activities; marketing & communications • shelby@shorthorn.org

Cassie Reid, director of shows & events; customer service specialist cassie@shorthorn.org

Wade Minihan, director of shows & member communications; customer service specialist • wade@shorthorn.org

Bryce Schumann, director of performance programs and commercial acceptance consultant • bryce@shorthorn.org

Carrie Land, customer service specialist • carrie@shorthorn.org

Accounting • accountmgr@shorthorn.org

ASA Dates of Note

April

April 1

ASA Board of Directors

Mark Gordon, president 217-737-7905

Jeff Bedwell, vice president 580-822-5590

Rick Osterday, executive director 605-281-1175

Cory Bollum, 507-279-0480

Tyler Cates, 765-576-0035

Jeff Aegerter, 402-641-4696

Cary Gilman, 515-360-6006

Scott Loving, 520-786-1369

Ben Wilson, 606-782-0754

Shorthorn Foundation

Bill Rasor, president American Junior Shorthorn Association

Samantha VanVorhis, president National Shorthorn Lassies

Jacalyn Meisner, president

WHR Deadline Update!

2026 WHR assessments will come available to complete online starting November 1, 2025. They will also be printed/sent to those whose preferences are set as so in their DigitalBeef accounts. The Board of Directors approved pushing the deadline windows back, and they are listed below.

2026 ASSESSMENT FEE SCHEDULE:

January 26, 2026 – March 31, 2026 $24 April 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 $30

1. WHR inventory assessments must be completed and paid in full prior to registering calves born in the current assessment period, (i.e. 2026 assessment on a dam must be completed and paid in order to register her calf born in 2026.)

2. Included with each assessment is the registration of a calf born to the dam in the year she was assessed (if calf is registered prior to one year of age) and a free transfer of said calf (if recorded within 60 days from the date of the sale.) (i.e. cost to register a calf born in 2026 to an assessed 2026 dam will be $0, if calf is registered within 12 months)

*Calves born in previous year(s) to unassessed dams will incur additional fees.

Membership Deadline

The Annual ASA Adult WHR Membership deadline is April 1. Any TOC breeder that does not renew their membership before April 1, 2026 must become a WHR breeder – if they choose to renew after the new April 1 deadline.

Send DNA Directly to Neogen

ASA Membership Deadline Membership becomes delinquent at 11:59 PM CT if not paid

April 1 2026 WHR Assessment Fee - $30/ head

April 3

ASA Office Closed - Good Friday

April 10 AJSA Junior Board Candidate Application Deadline

May

May 1 NJSS E.D.G.E. Show DNA Requirement - animals 100K Genomic testing samples submitted & received by the lab.

May 1 AJSA Scholarship Applications Due

May 1 Entry Deadline NJSS

May 1 Photo, Graphic Design, Career Development, Speech, Promo Video Entries due online via contest form

May 15 Ownership Deadline NJSS (no farm or family names allowed)

May 15 Late Entry Deadline NJSS (increased fees)

May 15 NJSS Showmanship Entry Deadline

May 25 ASA Office Closed - Memorial Day

June

June 1-6 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium, Boise, Idaho

June 20-27 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference, Abilene, Texas

July

July 3 ASA Office Closed

• Junior members 7 years of age are eligible to show at the Junior National. The Junior member has to be 7 on January 1 of the year the Junior National is taking place to be eligible to show at the Junior National. For example, if a child turned 7 on December 31, 2025 they are eligible to show at the 2026 National Junior Show in Abilene, Texas. If they turned 7 on January 10, 2026, they are NOT eligible to show at this year’s Junior National. Attention Juniors!

Breeders can now send and are encouraged to send DNA samples directly to Neogen for testing rather than sending to the ASA office. Starting July 1, 2023, a manual processing fee will be incurred for those samples sent to the ASA office for preprocessing.

3 things will be required to send samples in for testing: 1. A registration (or recorded “U”) number for each tested animal

2. A paper copy of the finalized testing form, (emailed from staff, description below) which includes the Neogen order number

3. A barcode number for each animal tested

Breeders can queue up animals for testing in DigitalBeef and select which sample types they have, as well as which tests they want. Once the form is submitted, staff will process the testing request and get an order ID # from Neogen. A finalized printable PDF of the submission form will be emailed to you to print, sign and send to the lab with samples. Checks/ payments are still made to the ASA. Once staff approves the testing request, the breeder’s DigitalBeef account is billed accordingly.

Regular Office Hours

Monday - Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Friday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Central Time Zone (ASA Staff Meeting Tuesdays 10:00-11:00 AM)

Association Outlook

secretary/CEO

April Update: Important Dates and Reminders for Shorthorn Breeders

Here we are in April already. It seems like I just finished the January article back in December. The years seem to pass by more quickly all the time. It is a good reminder that we should make the most of the time we have—taking care of our families and continuing to pursue our passions, like raising great Shorthorn cattle.

As April arrives, many breeders are busy preparing for the National Junior Shorthorn Show, while others are finishing or just getting started with calving, depending on their operation. Spring always brings a lot of activity, so I wanted to highlight a few important dates and deadlines that may fall into your plans over the next few months. Sometimes it helps to see these things in one place so they do not sneak up on us.

National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference

June 20–27, 2026 — Abilene, Texas

Important deadlines:

• Entry deadline: May 1, 2026

• E.D.G.E. show DNA deadline (must be at the lab): May 1, 2026

• Ownership deadline: May 15, 2026

• Late entry deadline: May 15, 2026

• Digital contest submissions: May 15, 2026

I simply want to bring these dates to your attention early so you do not find yourself facing a last-minute situation when entries and paperwork are due. Make sure you have the Junior animals registered so you can enter them for the Junior National.

Another item to keep in mind is the

WHR assessment deadline. WHR fees increase to $30 per head after April 1, and breeders must have their assessment completed and maintain an active paid membership in order to register calves. Membership renewals are also due April 1, 2026. Please remember that when you renew your membership online it must be paid at that time. If the renewal is not paid, the system will reverse the transaction and your password access to the registry will be changed until the membership is brought current.

Looking further ahead, the ASA fiscal year ends August 31, 2026. If you are working toward Century Club Breeder recognition, your registrations must be completed by that date to count for the fiscal year. It is also important that all calves born during the year be registered by that time, not just recorded, so they are included in the annual registration totals.

The ASA Annual Meeting will take place on October 24, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Airport in Kansas City, Missouri, in conjunction with the American Royal National Shorthorn Show. The Annual Meeting is always an important gathering for the Association, and it provides an opportunity for breeders to conduct business, share ideas, and enjoy visiting with fellow Shorthorn enthusiasts.

I would also like to encourage you to register calves when they are born rather than waiting until later. Completing registrations early makes things much easier when you need the information for sales, shows, or transfers. Registering early also helps identify any issues that may need attention before you find yourself up against a deadline.

Spring is busy for everyone in agriculture. Calving and breeding are underway, and many operations are also preparing for planting season. Still, if you can squeeze out a little time now to stay caught up on registrations and paperwork, you will appreciate having those tasks completed before deadlines begin stacking up later in the year.

The breed continues to see strong acceptance around the world, and there are exciting opportunities ahead. The American Shorthorn Association will host the World Shorthorn Conference in 2028, in conjunction with the National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. This will be a tremendous event for the breed and a great opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world. You may want to begin thinking ahead about attending and possibly participating in the pretour or post-tour activities that will be part of the conference.

There is a lot going on in the breed each year as the activities continue to grow along with the breed itself. It is the members and breeders who truly make the breed what it is today. The passion for the breed and the people in it are the driving force of producing the best Shorthorns possible!

In the Know

Minihan director of shows & member communications; customer service specialist

Spring is Here, and so is Show Season!

Spring has arrived, and after the long winter, we at the ASA are ready to welcome it with open arms. This season always brings excitement; warmer weather, newborn calves hitting the ground, and the buzz of preparation for Junior National.

As we wrap up the 2025–2026 show season, we are already looking ahead to 2026–2027 by confirming point shows. A full list of these shows can be found on page 23 and is also available on our updated website under the Events tab, then ASA Shows. Please note that dates are subject to change if needed.

While closing out the previous season, Cassie and I are hard at work reviewing show results and configuring points from the 2025–2026 points shows. You can view your current show points

through DigitalBeef by clicking Show Points in the navigation menu. Once the compilation is complete, we will announce the National Show Award winners—including overall and division winners—as well as the overall and division Regional Show Award winners in the May/June issue of the Shorthorn Country. Runner-up animals will also be recognized where applicable. These show award winners will be recongized and receive awards at the Annual Meeting in October.

With Junior Nationals on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get animals registered, transferred, and DNA submitted to the lab. Everything can be managed through your DigitalBeef account. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure you’re ready to Trailblaze to Texas:

• Animals must be registered by May 1st

• Animals entered in any ASA Junior sponsored show must be in one sole junior name. Ownership deadline for NJSS is May 15th.

• E.D.G.E. animals must have DNA submitted and received by the lab by May 1st. The animals BW and WW must also be recorded in the registry.

We can’t wait to see everyone in Abilene, Texas for a fun-filled time! For additional Junior National information, check pages 26-27. And don’t forget to look for the 2025–2026 Show Animals of the Year in the next issue of Shorthorn Country Magazine.

The yards in Denver were once again full of cattle, visitors, and conversations during the 2026 National Western Stock Show. With the amazing weather we had this year, the Herd Sire Display proved to be one of the busiest gathering spots. Shorthorn breeders showcased herd bulls that drew steady attention from cattle producers and stock show attendees walking through the historic stockyards.

Shorthorn pens welcomed a consistent flow of visitors. Many stopped to visit with breeders about how Shorthorn genetics continue to play an important role in modern beef production. The bulls on display represented programs focused on improving maternal strength, performance, and phenotype—traits that have long made Shorthorns a valuable option for both seedstock and commercial operations.

Adding to the Shorthorn presence in the yards was the American Shorthorn Association booth located within the Herd Sire Display area. The ASA booth was positioned in a great location, allowing for excellent visibility and a steady stream of traffic throughout the weekend. The display booth welcomed many visitors who stopped by to learn more about the Shorthorn breed, ask questions about the association, and visit with ASA staff and breeders.

The booth served as a central gathering point for Shorthorn enthusiasts attending the show. From longtime breeders reconnecting with friends to commercial producers curious about incorporating Shorthorn genetics into their programs, the booth provided an opportunity to share information and promote the breed to a wide audience.

The Herd Sire Display remains a place where connections are made and relationships are strengthened. Once again, the strong Shorthorn presence in the Herd Sire Display demonstrated the breed’s commitment to promotion and outreach. With strong interest in the display and continued enthusiasm from breeders, the Shorthorn breed looks forward to returning to the yards in Denver for another successful year in 2027.

Check the Facts

Changes to the Show SystemWhat You Need to Know

As we head into the 2026–2027 show season, you’ll notice updates across three regions of the ASA Point Show System. Why the change? Simply put—our exhibitors continue to raise the bar. Growth in the Shorthorn breed and increased show participation have shifted how regions function, making adjustments to the point system necessary.

After review by ASA staff, the Show Committee and Board of Directors, updated regional designations can be found on pages 23.

Before diving in, keep the big picture in mind: regional designations are not based on exhibitor residency. Any exhibitor can compete for points in any region. Regions simply group shows geographically to create consistency and competitive opportunities.

Southeast Region

Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana have been added to the Southeast region. This supports two key goals: strengthening participation in the

Southeast and recognizing the significant growth of Shorthorn shows in Missouri. As a result, the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Missouri, has been added as a point show. This shift creates stronger competition and expanded opportunities within the Southeast region.

North Central Region

With Missouri’s transition, the North Central region required no further adjustments. All existing point shows remain unchanged.

South Central Region

To improve regional balance, Colorado and New Mexico have moved from the West region into the South Central region. While the map has shifted, the lineup of point shows in the South Central region remains strong and unchanged.

National Shows

All National Shows remain in their respective regions. These cornerstone events continue to showcase the strength of the Shorthorn breed. Notably, the American Royal remains the National

Show for the North Central region, and the National Western Stock Show continues to serve the West.

These updates are backed by participation data and ongoing evaluation by ASA leadership. We are especially excited to introduce the Missouri State Fair as a new point show opportunity.

We encourage exhibitors to review the updated map and consider competing in regions that may now be more accessible. If you’re aware of a show with strong Shorthorn participation that is not currently a point show, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to ASA staff or a member of the Show Committee with participation details. We will continue monitoring shows nationwide to ensure the point system evolves alongside our exhibitors.

For questions about regions or point shows, contact Wade, Cassie, or a Show Committee member.

shorthorn.org/event-calendar/asa-shows/

American Shorthorn Association Show System Classifications

1. The fair and/ or show must provide both Shorthorn and ShorthornPlus shows.

2. All animals must be registered in the records of the American Shorthorn Association (ASA) at the time of the show. ShorthornPlus animals must be registered 50% Shorthorn to qualify for the ShorthornPlus Division.

3. Animals entered in an ASA sponsored Junior Show may only be in the sole name of the individual junior exhibitor and must be exhibited by the owner. Please refer to specific show guidelines for junior show ownership deadline.

4. Junior eligibility is from age 7-22. Exhibitors whose junior eligibility ends as of December 31, 2026 (22 years of age) are eligible to compete through the entire 2026-2027 ASA Show Season at ASA sponsored Junior Shows.

5. ASA will accept electronic registration papers at ASA sanctioned shows for check-in, unless otherwise stated by the hosting show rules.

6. The fair must adhere to the below divisions for all Shorthorn & ShorthornPlus Shows regardless of entry numbers. Age divisions are not flexible.

7. All Shorthorn & ShorthornPlus are subject to a tattoo inspection, parentage DNA testing, an age inspection and/ or females 20 months of age on day of show are subject to a blood test to prove pregnancy if deemed necessary by the ASA. The decision of an examining veterinarian is final.

8. Females 20 months of age on the day of the show need to have a pregnancy verification signed by an accredited, non-owner veterinarian at the time the female is processed for the show. If verification cannot be produced upon request, the exhibitor is allowed to find a qualified veterinarian to verify pregnancy prior to time of show.

9. Senior Yearling Females who have calved will show based on age. The exhibitor can exhibit the female with or without the calf at side. If a Purebred Female has a ShorthornPlus calf at side, it is not eligible for the Purebred Shorthorn Show, however it is eligible for the ShorthornPlus Show.

10. Females entered in a cow/calf class must have a natural born calf at side that does not exceed 280 days of age on show day, and the calf must be registered with the ASA. Bull, heifer and steer calves are eligible and must be 50% Shorthorn or greater. If a Purebred Female has a ShorthornPlus calf at side, it is not eligible for the Purebred Shorthorn Show, however it is eligible for the ShorthornPlus Show.

11. All Shows held on or after October 1st of the show year must have Late & Early Spring Calf Championships added to the Division Championships. All division Champions are for consideration of Grand Champion Awards.

12. Cow/ Calf is a division that is included with all other female divisions for selection of Grand & Reserve Grand Champion Female.

IMPORTANT: Each of the following classes MAY be broken into multiple classes to accommodate large numbers of entries, but separate classes may NOT be combined into one. For example, there MAY be four “Junior Heifer Calf” classes, but “Late & Early Spring Calves” may NOT be combined into one single “Spring Heifer Calf” class.

Class numbers provided below are an example format, each fair and/or show may renumber each class and division as needed.

Preferred Show Order: ShorthornPlus Bulls, ShorthornPlus Females, Shorthorn Bulls, Shorthorn Females.

Bull Classes & Divisions – Entry in this show binds the exhibitor to all regulations pertaining thereto.

ShPlus Shorthorn

1 70 Late Spring Bull Calves – calved after May 1, 2026

2 71 Late Spring Bull Calf Champion

3 72 Late Spring Bull Calf Reserve Champion

2026–2027 ASA Point Show System

Show Season: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027

*Individual show schedule subject to change

Northeast Region :: CT, DE, IN, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV

National Show :: Keystone International Livestock Expo

Super Regional Show :: Ohio State Fair

Regional Shows :: Maryland State Fair & State Fair of West Virginia

Southeast Region :: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, SC, TN

National Show :: Dixie National

Super Regional Show :: Tennessee State Fair at Wilson County Fair

Regional Shows :: Kentucky State Fair & Missouri State Fair

North Central Region :: IL, IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI

National Show :: American Royal

Super Regional Show :: Iowa State Fair

Regional Shows :: Illinois State Fair & Minnesota State Fair

South Central Region :: CO, KS, NM, OK, TX

National Show :: Fort Worth Stock Show

Super Regional Show :: Tulsa State Fair

Regional Shows :: Kansas State Fair & Tri-State Fair

West Region :: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

National Show :: National Western Stock Show

Super Regional Show :: Western Idaho Fair

Regional Shows :: North International Livestock Exposition & Washington State Fair

*Regional Awards calculated from Regional, Super Regional & National Shows within each region. Animal must exhibit at 2 of 4 shows to qualify.

Super

National Shows :: 2 total

North American International Livestock Expo :: Louisville, KY Cattlemen’s Congress :: Oklahoma City, OK

National Shows :: 5 total, 1 in each region

Northeast :: Keystone International Livestock Expo :: Harrisburg, PA

Southeast :: Dixie National :: Jackson, MS

North Central :: American Royal :: Kansas City, MO

South Central :: Fort Worth Stock Show :: Fort Worth, TX

West :: National Western Stock Show :: Denver, CO Placing

*National Show Bull & National Show Female points accumulated from 7 total National & Super National Shows listed above. Animal must exhibit at 2 of 7 shows to qualify for National Show Awards.

ASA Point Show System Point Distribution

Junior Corner

Carrying a Legacy Forward

In 1816, my family’s story at Armstrong Farms began in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. More than 200 years later, the land is still being farmed by the same family. That reality is not something I take lightly. The longevity of Armstrong Farms is both humbling and motivating as I prepare to carry it forward.

This May, I will graduate from Clemson University with a degree in Business Management with a double minors in Finance and Entrepreneurship. My plans after graduation are to return home and step into a larger leadership role within our operation. I will be managing over 500 head of commercial cattle while also launching a new venture, Armstrong Farms Beef. A beef business focused on selling locally raised, consistent, premium beef directly to the consumer.

For generations, my family has prioritized raising functional, maternally strong cattle built to last. Now, I have the opportunity to take that foundation one step further by bringing my product directly to consumers. I plan to market Armstrong Farms Beef in the greater Pittsburgh area, building relationships with local grocery stores, restaurants, and country clubs that value consistent, locally raised beef. With two retail partners already committed, this is just the starting point. As the brand grows, so will my reach, allowing me to expand with purpose while never compromising the quality, consistency, and integrity that set Armstrong Farms Beef apart.

The preparation behind this business has been years in the making. My education has given me the business foundation to approach expansion strategically, and my involvement in the American Junior Shorthorn Association has shaped me just as much. Serving on the National Junior Board has helped me develop leadership skills, communication abilities, and a broader understanding of

our breed’s future.

The junior program is about more than showing cattle. It builds confidence, responsibility, and vision. The experiences and relationships I’ve gained through the Shorthorn community have prepared me to represent not only my family’s operation, but the breed as a whole.

Carrying a legacy forward means honoring tradition while embracing innovation. Each generation before mine adapted to the challenges of its time. My responsibility is no different. By combining proven cattle with disciplined management and a direct-to-consumer business model, I hope to strengthen my family’s operation for generations to come.

Seven generations built the opportunity I have, and I’m thankful for that every day.

Serving on the junior board has helped prepare me for this next step in ways I didn’t fully realize at first. It has pushed me to grow, speak up, take responsibility, and think more deeply about the future of our breed. As I return home to take on more at Armstrong Farms, I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’m proud of where I come from, grateful for the Shorthorn community that has helped shape me, and motivated to do my part to keep both my family farm and our breed moving forward.

Public

Fundraising

Director

Director :: Cole Brus

Director

Director

“The

RULES FOR ELECTION OF AJSA BOARD

Election of Board of Directors: All candidates MUST submit a written application that is available from the ASA Director of Youth Activities. Junior board applications will be collected in the ASA office by the designated deadline during the current election year. Candidates for election must be nominated from the floor at the Jr. National Youth Conference meeting. A maximum of two new Board of Directors from each state and/or Junior State Association are allowed to be elected at the same time or year. Each state is allowed a maximum of two candidates running for the board each year. If more than two are interested, the state makes the selection for the two candidates who will represent that state.

A. Interviews with the state delegates will be conducted at Youth Conference. B. Junior Board candidates will be interviewed by three qualified industry leaders, normally including but not limited to the ASA Executive and AJSA advisors. The individuals interviewing the candidates will rank them in the same manner that the delegates would. The interview process represents 30% of each candidate ranking toward their total score.

Delegate Representation to Elect Board Members: Each state association shall appoint 2 delegates to represent that state at the Junior National Youth Conference meeting normally held at the Junior National. A state may be represented by only one junior organization from each state. Those delegates would vote to elect the Board of Directors at Youth Conference meeting. Each delegate must be a member in good standing of the AJSA in order to serve as a delegate. Said delegates must be AJSA members that are 15 years of age or older. If the association does not have two members present fulfilling this age requirement, they may have younger delegates. All delegates must be junior members of the ASA (AJSA members) and be a member in good standing. The definition of a member in good standing is one that does not have over a 90-day balance on their account with the ASA.

A. Vote Distribution: Election will be conducted at the Youth Conference in the following manner: The number of votes received by each State will be determined by the number of members of the American Junior Shorthorn Association within that Junior Association. (If two states officially become one junior association, i.e. Dakota Plains, they will vote as one association. The number of members from each of the states

Applications are Due Soon SCHOLARSHIPS

represented will be added to determine the votes the Junior Association gets. So long as no other association is representing either state.)

1. If the State has 0-75 members in the AJSA the state receives 2 ballots representing 2 votes.

2. If the State has 76- 250 members in the AJSA the state receives 3 ballots representing 3 votes.

3. If the State has 251 or more members in the AJSA the state receives 4 ballots representing 4 votes.

4. The number of Junior Members will be determined at the time & date entries close for the NJSS.

5. Each Current AJSA Board of Director will receive one ballot representing 1 vote each.

B. Scoring of Votes: During voting, ONLY delegates of the same junior association will be able to confer. Ballots from one state association do not have to have the same rankings. Each ballot will have all the candidates listed on it. The ballot will be filled out by ranking the candidates in order of preference starting with the first choice as 1 and the second choice as 2 and so on, continuing through the list until all candidates have a ranked number. The ballot must be fill out completely with a ranking for each candidate listed or the ballot will be disqualified.

1. Delegate and AJSA Board rankings will account for 70% of each candidate’s total score.

2. Interview process with three industry leaders with each candidate will be ranked in order of preference and will account for 30% of each candidate’s total score.

3. The total rankings will be added. The candidate with the lowest score will be the first to become a new Board member the candidate with the second lowest score will be the next new board member and so on until all open positions on the Board are filled.

Each year AJSA members are eligible to apply for several college scholarships. Applications can be found at shorthorn.org and are due by May 1st, 2026. Scholarships will be awarded at the 2026 National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference. Please note that scholarship candidates may only apply up to three scholarships offered by The Shorthorn Foundation. Therefore, please complete the applications that apply to your qualifications the best. You cannot win the same scholarship more than once.

Mike Dugdale Memorial Scholarship

This $2,000 Scholarship is awarded to a college upperclassman who is an active AJSA member interested in bettering the beef cattle industry after college.

John C. “Jack” Ragsdale Scholarship

The $2,000 Jack Ragsdale Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college freshman who is an active AJSA member with a sincere interest in learning how to evaluate livestock and an appreciation for the purebred livestock industry.

Don Longley Memorial Scholarships

Each year four $2,000 Longley Memorial Scholarships are awarded. The scholarships are sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to high school seniors or college freshmen based upon Shorthorn involvement, grades, need, and participation in other activities.

Lyle & Katharyn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship

The $2,000 Lyle and Katharyn DeWitt Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to high school seniors or college freshmen based upon Shorthorn involvement, grades, need, and participation in other activities.

Jared & Justin Bedwell Memorial Scholarship

The $2,000 Jared & Justin Bedwell Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the family of Jared & Justin Bedwell in cooperation with The Shorthorn Foundation and awarded to a high school senior, college freshman or college sophomore based upon the applicants’ involvement, future goals and career plans in Agriculture, college GPA, and character references.

John Miller Scholarship

The $2,500 John Miller Scholarship is awarded to the collegiate upperclassman (including trade schools) who is an active AJSA member with an emphasis to be placed on the recipient having interest in making Shorthorns more viable in the commercial cattle industry.

Shorthorn Foundation Scholarship

One $4,000 Scholarship will be awarded to a college junior, senior, or graduate student, based upon how the AJSA/Shorthorn Industry helped shape where you are today & your future goals & career plans in Agriculture, College GPA will be considered and the applicant must be a current or previous AJSA Member.

White Fox Ranch Scholarship

Two $5,000 Scholarships will be awarded (one male and one female) to current AJSA members who are high school senior/undergraduate student pursuing a degree in agriculture or veterinary medicine. Must demonstrate interest in serving rural communities and the cattle industry and submit a two-part essay, resume, and letter of recommendation. Preference may be given to applicants showing strong leadership, service, and mentorship within the beef industry.

Trailblazing to Texas

ENTRY FEES & DEADLINES

• Online entries will include entry fee (per show) and stalling/ bedding fee for each animal in the barns and tieouts, exhibitor fee, and additional options.

• Entries must be paid online at time of entry or they will not be processed. There will be NO refunds on entries. See General Rule #6.

• Entry fee is $45 per show entry if completed by the deadline of May 1.

• If you are showing an animal in more than one show it must be entered for each show.

• There is a $60 stalling/bedding fee per head. This includes stalling and tieout bedding.

• Exhibitors must pay the $30 exhibitor fee during online entry. Exhibitor fee includes: show shirt and contest fee. Meal tickets are no longer part of the exhibitor fee and must be purchased seperately.

• No show entries after final deadline of May 15, 2026.

• No entry substitutions allowed after May 15, 2026.

• All animals must be registered in the sole name of the junior member who will be showing.

• Ownership deadline is May 15, 2026. (No farm or family names allowed)

ENTRY FEES

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Cattle will be allowed on the fairgrounds on Saturday, June 20, in tie outs ONLY after 5:00 p.m. Cattle will be allowed in barns after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 21.

• All cattle must tie out in designated area. You can not tie outside during the day after check-in is completed. All cattle must stay on grounds and in the barns during the day.

• Must bring registration papers and health papers to the show for check-in.

• We will not verify tattoos at check-in but animals tattoo must match the corresponding registration papers. Entries not matching will be disqualified from show. See general rule #9.

• ONLY steers will be weighed at check-in. Scales will not be available before check-in.

• Individual contests including showmanship, speech and career development contests MUST be entered during online entry. Showmanship and livestock judging entries will not be accepted at junior national.

• All other individual contests must be entered by going through contest registration, Monday, June 22, starting at 8:00 a.m. You will also pick-up your show shirts.

• Group contests will be entered by state advisors. They will be provided the group sign-up form

Entry Fee: $45

Late Entry Fee: $80 after May 1

Bedding Fee: $60 includes barn and tieout bedding

Late Bedding Fee: $70 includes barn and tieout bedding

Exhibitor Fee: $30 includes t-shirt and contest fee (meals not included)

Meal Ticket - Opening Ceremony: $25

Meal Ticket - Awards Ceremony: $25

Extra Shirts: $15

• Exhibitors who have purchased meal tickets will receive their tickets in their check-in packet.

• Electricity – People should come prepared with generators and extension cords. All generators must be housed outside.

• No generators or gas cans will be allowed inside the barn and must meet local fire codes for inspection by fire marshall.

• Exhibitors are reminded that portacools and butt fans are not allowed in the barns.

• Pets are allowed on the fairgrounds, but NOT in the arena/show ring area for any reason or at any time.

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. In accordance with grounds policy and this youth event, consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

• If the junior member is unable to show their animal due illness or health, follow the procedure in the show rules.

• Animals will NOT be allowed to enter the show ring after the judge has given the signal to walk. See general show rule #18.

• ALL digital contest entries must be submitted by May 15 via the online contest form.

• There have been some contest rule changes. Be sure to carefully read rules to know all the updates!

Meet the National Shorthorn Lassie Association Board of Directors Tartan Plaid

The National Shorthorn Lassie Association is made special by the dedicated group of individuals who work behind the scenes to support and strengthen the National Shorthorn Lassie Association.

We are so fortunate to have a Board of Directors who are dedicated to helping the program grow and making sure Lassies across the country have opportunities to get involved. From helping with Lassie events at the National Junior Shorthorn Show such as the Lassie Tea and Lassie 101, to encouraging leadership and involvement throughout the year, their work helps make the program what it is today.

In January during the Annual meeting,

the Board of Directors were elected and although many faces stayed the same, we are excited with the addition of Brianna Duerre who was finishing her year as the National Shorthorn Lassie Queen.

The current National Lassie Association Board of Directors includes:

President - Jacalyn Meisner, Illinois

Vice President - Hannah Olson, Wisconsin

Secretary - Sydney Miller, Michigan

Treasurer - Pam Dressen, Minnesota

Queen Coordinator Co-ChairChristina Wenderski, Illinois

Queen Coordinator Co-ChairBrianna Duerre, South Dakota

Social Media Chair - Kaila Williams, Oklahoma

Each member of the board brings their own experiences and perspective, but they all share the same passion for the Shorthorn breed and for supporting the next generation. Their dedication helps create opportunities for Lassies to build confidence, form friendships, and stay connected to the Shorthorn community.

On behalf of the National Shorthorn Lassie Association, I want to thank our Board of Directors for the time and commitment they give to this program. Their support truly makes a difference for Lassies across the country. As always, do not hesitate to reach out: shorthornlassies@gmail.com.

Follow the National Lassies on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news!

National Shorthorn Lassies

NEW CONTEST ALERT!!

Leveldale Farms E.D.G.E. Essay Contest

Contest Details:

• Open to Senior exhibitors only

• E.D.G.E. Show participants are strongly encouraged to enter

• Minimum 600 words

• Due May 15 via the online contest entry form

• Must include cited sources

• No AI-generated content, plagiarism, or duplication from previous years

• Essays become property of ASA & may be published in Shorthorn Country

Champion receives $2,000 Winner announced at the E.D.G.E. Show & Awards Ceremony

fort Worth STOCK SHOW 2026

National Shorthorn Show

Open Shorthorn & ShorthornPlus :: 100 head :: Judge: Terry Burks, Scottsville, Kentucky

by Cassie Reid

Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull and Champion Intermediate Bull. He is owned by Talia Ferguson-Sanders of Chickasha, Okla.

Grand Champion Shorthorn Female and Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf honors went to CF Mona Lisa 547 OM X ET owned by Knox Neumayr of Boling, Texas.

Reserve Grand Champion

Shorthorn Female and Champion Junior Heifer Calf award went to GCC Revival’s Finest 710 ET owned by Alexa Turner of Mohomet, Ill.

Moving onto the ShorthornPlus show, Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Bull and Champion Senior Bull Calf honors went to CF PC Woolsworth X owned by Piper Cates of Modoc, Ind. 3BC Executive Class 415 was named Reserve Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Bull and Champion Junior Bull, owned by Jaycee Schomberg of Pierce, Neb.

Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female and Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf was awarded to CF Mona Lisa 573 24K X ET owned by Samantha VanVorhis of Bowling Green, Ohio.

Reserve Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female and Champion Intermediate Female honors went to DRY Dixie owned by Paisley Dryer of Tolar, Texas.

Division Winners:

Purebred Bull Show Divisions:

Champion Early Spring Bull Calf – Bar N Texas Rain 16N, Bar N Cattle Company, Sunset, Texas.

Champion Junior Bull Calf – WHR HCAT Mike 5201, WHR Shorthorns, Van Alstyne, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Bull Calf – Lazy B Striker B51, Morgan Brooks, Venus, Texas.

Champion Senior Bull Calf –CGS Texas Ranger 0127 ET, Cross G Shorthorns, Dalhart, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Bull –DRY Llano Estacado 024L, Winston Dryer, Tolar, Texas.

Purebred Female Show Divisions:

Shorthorn exhibitors from 9 states exhibited 100 head on Saturday, January 31, 2026, during the Fort Worth Stock Show National Shorthorn Show. Terry Burks of Scottsville, Kentucky evaluated 7 Purebred Bulls, 62 Purebred Females, 5 ShorthornPlus Bulls and 26

ShorthornPlus Females.

Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull and Champion Junior Bull was awarded to 4CSC Metallika owned by Bright Lights Show Cattle of Beloit, Wis. & Alyssa Carter of Oregonia, Ohio. /F Cyclone 4322 was named Reserve

Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – GCC Warren Margie 59, Kolten Greenhorn, Bellbrook, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – DRY Rosette, Winston Dryer, Tolar, Texas.

Reserve Champion Early Spring

fort Worth STOCK SHOW 2026

Champion ShorthornPlus Female & Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf, CF Mona Lisa 573 24K X ET, owned by Samantha VanVorhis, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Heifer Calf – LGF SULL Emeralds Dreamy 1184N ET, Paisley Dryer, Tolar, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf – CF PC Missing Mirage 544 PW X, Ryli Bivens, Burleson, Texas.

Champion Senior Heifer Calf – CF Mona Lisa 4124 DM ET, Samantha

VanVorhis, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf – RSF Maycie 50M, Kimberly Holland, Tecumseh, Okla.

Champion Intermediate Female –DRY Evolving Rose 24 ET, Winston Dryer, Tolar, Texas.

Reserve Champion Intermediate

Female – GCC MFS Pinky the Roo 41, Kolten Greenhorn, Bellbrook, Ohio.

Champion Early Spring Female – CF PC Margie 476 EV X ET, Knox Neumayr, Boling, Texas.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Female – MFS Dreaming Lucy 45M ET, Paisley Dryer, Tolar, Texas.

Champion Junior Female – CCR Robin 4213 ET, Kaysen Corley, Willis, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Female –KANE Lady Reward FL 52M ET, Cross G Shorthorns, Dalhart, Texas.

Champion Cow/Calf Pair – TMF Element’s Pride, Danielle Roby, Temple, Texas.

ShorthornPlus Bull Show Divisions:

Champion Late Spring Bull Calf – DBTB Jude’s Crusher 525, Marlin Priddy, Stephenville, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Bull –TSW Dude, TSW Cattle, Marlow, Okla.

ShorthornPlus Female Show Divisions:

Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – Gana Miss Bank 555 EV ET, Samuel Parker, Ardmore, Okla.

Reserve Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – DPF Have Merci 251 ET, Emma Turnpaugh, Wanette, Okla.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf – SFF Augusta Pride 521 LU ET, Kaden Gana, Martell, Neb.

Champion Junior Heifer Calf –MFS LGF Ruby’s Peppa 71N ET, Ryli Bivens, Burleson, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf – Miss Lady Bluebell 195N, Caleb Parrish, Nowata, Okla.

Champion Senior Heifer Calf –CGS Trig Rodeo Queen 1936 ET, Broox Gilliam, Dalhart, Texas.

Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf – AD Miss Boog, Axel Biehler, Loyal, Okla.

Reserve Champion Intermediate Female – /F Sweetie Pie 4686, Talia Ferguson-Sanders, Chickasha, Okla.

Champion Early Spring Female – BR Black Ruthie 412M ET, Allie Harrison, Westville, Okla.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Female – 3JB Captains Jewel, Marissa Ronning, Cleburne, Texas.

Class Placings:

Purebred Bull Class Placings (Top 3):

Early Spring Bull Calves – (1 Entry): 1) Bar N Texas Rain 16N owned by Bar N Cattle Company.

Junior Bull Calves – (2 Entries): 1) WHR HCAT Mike 5201 owned by WHR Shorthorns; 2) Lazy B Striker B51

owned by Morgan Brooks.

Senior Bull Calves – (1 Entry): 1) CGS Texas Ranger 0127 ET owned by Cross G Shorthorns.

Summer Yearling Bulls – (1 Entry): /F Cyclone 4322 owned by Talia Ferguson-Sanders.

Early Spring Yearling Bulls – (1 Entry): 1) DRY Llano Estacado 024L owned by Winston Dryer.

Junior Yearling Bulls – (1 Entry): 1) 4CSC Metallika owned by Bright Lights Show Cattle of Beloit, Wis. & Alyssa Carter of Oregonia, Ohio.

Purebred Female Class Placings (Top 3):

Late Spring Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) GCC Warren Margie 59 owned by Kolten Greenhorn; 2) /F Trixie Rosewood 5153 owned by Talia Ferguson-Sanders; 3) DRY Izzy Rose ET owned by Windsor Dryer.

Late Spring Heifer Calves – (8 Entries): 1) DRY Rosette owned by Winston Dryer; 2) CCS Diane Dolly 614N owned by Laura Spurlen; 3)

RRRC Victoria 863N ET owned by Ryder Heter.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (7 Entries): 1) MFS LMAN SULL Rosa’s Greta 27N ET owned by Winston Dryer; 2) SULL Special Rosa 5662N ET owned by Paisley Dryer; 3) 720 KGL Ace of Hearts owned by Kase Glazier.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (5 Entries): 1) LGF SULL Emeralds Dreamy 1184N ET owned by Paisley Dryer; 2) DRY Sweetart owned by Winston Dryer; 3) SFF Revival 514 CC ET owned by Ky Hays.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) CF Mona Lisa 547 OM X ET owned by Knox Neumayr; 2) LDB Londyn BH 515 ET owned by Emily Schellenberg; 3) TMF Mona Lisa’s Dream ET owned by John & Barbara Russell.

Junior Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): CF PC Missing Mirage 544 PW X owned by Ryli Bivens; 2) DRY EMS Pixie owned by Paisley Dryer; 3) LDB LB Mercis Cardi 512 ET owned by Lost

Diamond B Ranch.

Junior Heifer Calves – (6 Entries): 1) GCC Revival’s Finest 710 ET owned by Alexa Turner; 2) TMF Max Rosa Dream ET owned by Loryn Gates; 3) WHR HS Cumberland 5107 ET owned by Beth Wells.

Winter Heifer Calves – (6 Entries): 1) RSF Maycie 50M owned by Kimberly Holland; 2) WHR Cumberland 4N16 ET owned by Samuel Parker; 3) WHR HCAT Valerie 4N11 ET owned by Jensen George.

Senior Heifer Calves – (8 Entries): 1) CF Mona Lisa 4124 DM ET owned by Samantha VanVorhis; 2) 2G Beau’s Flash 451 FL ET owned by Ryder Heter; 3) CGS Perfect Augusta Pride 517 ET owned by McKenna Moore.

Late Spring Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) DRY Evolving Rose 24 ET owned by Winston Dryer; 2) GCC MFS Pink the Roo 41 owned by Kolten Greenhorn.

Early Spring Yearling Females –(6 Entries): 1) CF PC Margie 476 EV

Shorthorn Bulls

Not Available

X ET owned by Knox Neumayer; 2) MFS Dreaming Lucy 45M ET owned by Paisley Dryer; 3) SULL LGF Ruby Knights 4409M ET owned by Josie Heter.

Junior Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) CCR Robin 4213 ET owned by Kaysen Corley; 2) KANE Lady Reward FL 52M ET owned by Cross G Shorthorns.

Three-Four-Year-Old Cow/Calf – (1 Entry): 1) TMF Element’s Pride owned by Danielle Roby.

ShorthornPlus Bull Class Placings (Top 3):

Late Spring Bull Calves – (1 Entry): 1) DBTB Jude’s Crusher 525 owned by Marlin Priddy.

Senior Bull Calves – (1 Entry): 1) CF PC Woolsworth X owned by Piper Cates.

Early Spring Yearling Bulls – (3 Entries): 1) 3BC Executive Class 415 owned by Jaycee Schomberg; 2) TSW Dude owned by TSW Cattle; 3) MKM

Marty’s Dream owned by Marcus Finney. ShorthornPlus Female Class Placings (Top 3):

Late Spring Heifer Calves – (6 Entries): 1) Gana Miss Bank 555 EV ET owned by Samuel Parker; 2) DPF Have Merci 251 ET owned by Emma Turnpaugh; 3) 720 KGL Metallica’s Bell owned by Kase Glazier.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) CF Mona Lisa 573 24K X ET owned by Samantha VanVorhis; 2) SFF Augusta Pride 530 LU ET owned by Morgan Brooks; 3) AC RC Lucy 547 owned by Chloe Carlisle.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) SFF Augusta Price 521 LU ET owned by Kaden Gana; 2) DDD Sinful Erica 525N owned by Ava Piekarski; 3) 3JB Vintage Chanel owned by Marissa Ronning.

Junior Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) MFS LGF Ruby’s Peppa 71N ET owned by Ryli Bivens; 2) SULL Dreams Made 5290N ET owned by Kadin

Worthington; 3) MBEH Miss Bubble’s Jackie O 24N owned by Merideth Behrens.

Junior Heifer Calves – (2 Entries): 1) Miss Lady Bluebell 195N owned by Caleb Parrish; 2) TSW Miss Stella owned by TSW Cattle.

Winter Heifer Calves – (2 Entries): 1) CGS Trig Rodeo Queen 1936 ET owned by Broox Gilliam; 2) 2G Lush Tamale 464 LU ET owned by Josie Heter.

Senior Heifer Calves – (1 Entry): 1) AD Miss Boog owned by Axel Biehler.

Summer Yearling Females – (1 Entry): 1) Dry Dixie owned by Paisley Dryer.

Late Spring Yearling Females – (1 Entry): 1) /F Sweetie Pie 4686 owned by Talia Ferguson-Sanders.

Early Spring Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) BR Black Ruthie 412M ET owned by Allie Harrison; 2) 3JB Captains Jewel owned by

Shorthorn Females

Shorthorn Female pictures not available:

Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf – CF PC Missing Mirage 544 PW X, Ryli Bivens, Burleson, Texas.

Reserve Champion Junior Female – KANE Lady Reward FL 52M ET, Cross G Shorthorns, Dalhart, Texas.

Champion Cow/Calf Pair – TMF Element’s Pride, Danielle Roby, Temple, Texas.

DIXIE NATIONAL 2026

National Shorthorn Show

Open Shorthorn & ShorthornPlus - 48 head - Judge: Curt Rincker, Shelbyville, Ill.

by Cassie Reid

Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull & Champion Junior Bull, 4CSC Metallika, owned by Bright Lights Show Cattle, Beloit, Wis. & Alyssa Carter, Oregonia, Ohio.

Bright Lights Show Cattle of Beloit, Wis. & Alyssa Carter of Oregonia, Ohio.

Reserve Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull and Reserve Champion Junior Bull award went to Ally Hank’s World owned by Mollie Cole of Mize, Miss.

Grand Champion Shorthorn Female and Champion Senior Heifer Calf honors went to SULL Roses are Red 4717M ET owned by Jayse Thomas of Dunlap, Tenn.

Reserve Grand Champion

Shorthorn Female and Champion

Early Spring Heifer Calf award went to PMF Mrytle Bow BFS LCCC Barkley 18 owned by Blue Ridge Farm of Mount Vernon, Ark.

Moving onto the ShorthornPlus show, 3BC Executive Class 415 owned by Jaycee Schomberg, Pierce, Neb., claimed Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Bull and Champion Junior Bull honors. He was the lone ShorthornPlus Bull of the show this year.

Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female and Champion Senior Heifer Calf honors went to AD Miss Boog owned by Axel Biehler of Loyal, Okla.

Reserve Grand Champion

ShorthornPlus Female and Champion

Late Spring Heifer Calf award went to S/N KMA Night Roses 5139 ET owned by Kaitlyn Broughton of Paris, Ky.

Division Winners:

Purebred Bull Show Divisions:

Champion Junior Bull Calf –RFSS Flashbang 389N, Respite Farm Sugarbird Shorthorns, Paris, Ky.

Reserve Champion Junior Bull Calf – BKC Flo’s Storm Trooper 0725, Katie Williams Crouch, Imboden, Ark.

Purebred Female Show Divisions:

Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf

– PMF Mirage BFS LCCC Barkley 22K, M B Harbison, Vestavia, Ala.

Reserve Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – JLT Gold Rose 517N, Jeremy Thomas, Dunlap, Tenn.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf – RFSS Traveling Ruby 394N ET, Respite Farm Sugarbird Shorthorns, Paris, Ky.

Shorthorn exhibitors from 13 states exhibited 48 head during the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo in Jackson, Mississippi. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Curt Rincker of Shelbyville, Illinois evaluated 5 Purebred Bulls, 29 Purebred

Females, 1 ShorthornPlus Bull and 12 ShorthornPlus Females. This national show concluded the 2025-2026 ASA show season.

Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull and Champion Junior Bull honors went to 4CSC Metallika owned by

Champion Junior Heifer Calf – LDB

LB Mercis Cardi 512 ET, Lost Diamond B Ranch, Orlando, Okla.

Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf – CSF Crystal Swan DW 5119 ET, Samantha Cossitt, Corinth, Miss.

Reserve Champion Senior Heifer

DIXIE NATIONAL 2026

Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female & Champion Senior Heifer Calf, AD Miss Boog, shown by Axel Biehler, Loyal, Okla.

Calf – MAV Picture Perfect 32M ET, Layla Jackson, Dawsonville, Ga.

Champion Intermediate Female – CSF Mona Lisa 2452 ET, Lynden Whitehead, Tremont, Miss.

Reserve Champion Intermediate Female – FFF Cinnamon Latte 4182, Karlie Schluterman, Ozark, Ark.

Champion Early Spring Female – PRNL Augusta Pride 2412, Claire Smith, Jemison, Ala.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Female – MC_S Cumberland Flash 24 ET, Jackson Balette, Hooks, Ala.

Champion Junior Female – CSF Margie 2447 ET, Barrett Griffin, Batesville, Ark.

Reserve Champion Junior Female – Bow Miss Solution 2403, Wyatt Johnston, Brundidge, Ala.

ShorthornPlus Bull Show Divisions: No other ShorthornPlus Bull division

winners.

ShorthornPlus Female Show Divisions:

Reserve Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf – CEA Isabelle, Annabelle McGregory, Courtland, Miss.

Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf – JLT Nyla 506N ET, Jeremy Thomas, Dunlap, Tenn.

Reserve Champion Early Spring Heifer Calf – JPK Crystal Limit 2515N, Riley Mason, Dawsonville, Ga.

Champion Junior Heifer Calf –LV Dream Girl 122 ET, Evelyn Hill, Yorktown, Ind.

Reserve Champion Senior Heifer Calf – Simp’s Maggie 1324, Cade Simpson, Iva, S.C.

Champion Junior Female – STECK Cherri PR 419M ET, Lane Schluterman, Ozark, Ark.

Class Placings:

Purebred Bull Class Placings (Top 3):

Junior Bull Calves – (2 Entries): 1) RFSS Flashbang 389N owned by Respite Farm Sugarbird Shorthorns; 2) BKC Flo’s Storm Trooper 0725 owned by Katie Williams Crouch.

Early Spring Yearling Bulls – (1 Entry): 1) CCR BXC Pinky The Roo Gringo 464 owned by Haylo Farms, Jason Cleere & Carney Cattle Ranch.

Junior Yearling Bulls – (2 Entries): 1) 4CSC Metallika owned by Bright Lights Show Cattle & Alyssa Carter; 2) Ally Hank’s World owned by Mollie Cole.

Purebred Female Class Placings (Top 3):

Late Spring Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) PMF Mirage BFS LCCC Barkley 22K owned by M B Harbison; 2) JLT Gold Rose 517N owned by Jeremy Thomas; 3) CVC Cumberland 2502 owned by Barrett Griffin.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) PMF Myrtle Bow BFS LCCC Barkley 18 owned by Blue Ridge Farm; 2) CCS DLJ Margie 409N RK ET owned by Logan Sabol; 3) HUNTS Knighted Demi 522 ET owned by Jayse Thomas.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) RFSS Traveling Ruby 394N ET owned by Respite Farm Sugarbird Shorthorns; 2) Little Cedar Margie 542 2533 ET owned by Logan Sabol; 3) FR Dreaming Rosie 2892 ET owned by Owen Griffin.

Junior Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) LDB LB Mercis Cardi 512 ET owned by Lost Diamond B Ranch; 2) BLSC Elizabeth PO2N owned by Jody Mertins; 3) MINN Nalaney 533N ET

Reserve Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female & Champion Late Spring Heifer Calf, S/N KMA Night Roses 5139 ET, exhibited by Kaitlyn Broughton, Paris, Ky.

owned by Chance Lott.

Junior Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) CSF Crystal Swan DW 5119 ET owned by Samantha Cossitt; 2) RFSS Knight’s Fire Rose 390N owned by Respite Farm Sugarbird Shorthorns; 3) LSS Peaches 0116 UR owned by Lily Stephens.

Winter Heifer Calves – (2 Entries): 1) MAV Picture Perfect 32M ET owned by Layla Jackson; 2) 2GS Acting Single 122L owned by Graham Spooner.

Senior Heifer Calves – (4 Entries): 1) SULL Roses are Red 4717M ET owned by Jayse Thomas; 2) 2GS Drinking Doubles 1023L ET owned by Garrison Spooner; 3) DELTA Mrytle Bo 485 DM ET owned by Paige Crowell Smith.

Late Spring Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) CSF Mona Lisas 242 ET owned by Lynden Whitehead; 2) FFF Cinnamon Latte 4182 owned by Karlie Schluterman.

Early Spring Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) PRNL Augusta Pride 2412 owned by Claire Smith; 2) MC_S Cumberland’s Flash 24 ET owned by Jackson Balette.

Junior Yearling Females – (2 Entries): 1) CSF Margie 2447 ET owned by Barrett Griffin; 2) Bow Miss Solution 2403 owned by Wyatt Johnston.

ShorthornPlus Bull Class Placings (Top 3):

Early Spring Yearling Bulls – (1 Entry): 1) 3BC Executive Class 415 owned by Jaycee Schomberg.

ShorthornPlus Female Class Placings (Top 3):

Late Spring Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) S/N KMA Night Roses 5139 ET owed by Kaitlyn Broughton; 2) CEA Isabelle owned by Annabelle McGregory; 3) FFF Wild Made 5204 owned by Carsen Ryleigh Cooper.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (1 Entry): 1) JPK Crystal Limit 2515N owned by Riley Mason.

Early Spring Heifer Calves – (2 Entries): 1) JLT Nyla 506N ET owned by Jeremy Thomas; 2) WSCC STECK Chelsie NL 554N owned by Lane Schluterman.

Junior Heifer Calves – (1 Entry): 1) LV Dream Girl 122 ET owned by Evelyn Hill.

Winter Heifer Calves – (3 Entries): 1) Simp’s Maggie 1324 owned by Cade Simpson; 2) Schab’s Blue Trippin Cocoa owned by Maylee Stephens; 3) WKM BKC Rebel Rosa 2724 owned by Katie Williams Crouch.

Senior Heifer Calves – (1 Entry): 1) AD Miss Boog owned by Axel Biehler.

Junior Yearling Females – (1 Entry): 1) STECK Cherri PB 419M ET owned by Lane Schluterman.

DIXIE NATIONAL 2026

5

Home of Studer’s Crunch Time 22C

-Top 5% in the breed for WW, YW, TM, CW, and $F - Semen: $30/unit

Jason Smithers & Girls - 217-491-2140 jasonsmithers74@gmail.com

Greg & Pam Smithers - 217-285-6280 36739 205th Avenue • Pittsfield, IL 62363

Quality cattle for sale at all times. Located just a few miles south of Route 36/I-72.

Sunnyland Farms

Wayne Hinderliter Family 629 Co. Rd. 350 North Albion, IL 62806

Wayne: 618-384-8250

Doug: 618-384-1932

Visitors always welcome! Cattle usually for sale. Four miles north of I-64. Exit 130 on Illinois 130.

Cagwin Farms

VisitorsWelcome... Stopbyanytime!

Don Cagwin P.O. Box 77 • Virginia, Illinois 62691 office: 217-452-3051 • cell: 217-341-7552

Kerry Johnston cell: 217-370-6033

Dalton Johnston cell: 217-416-9536

Cindy Cagwin-Johnston cell: 217-370-6034 cagwincattle@casscomm.com FarmlocatedfivemileseastofVirginiaonRoute125, thenonemilesouthoftheelevatoratPhiladelphia,Illinois.

Wright Cattle Co.

Trey & Hailey Wright

Steve & Marsha Wright Route 2, Box 55

Beecher City, IL 62414

home: 618-487-5559

Trey: 618-367-0764

Steve: 618-267-3229

Hugh W. Moore, Jr. & Sons

31056 Old Fidelity Road • Jerseyville, IL 62052

Scott Horton, Owner

Chris Cassady: 815-674-5129

Buddy Haas: 630-536-9180

4N010 Town Hall Rd. • St. Charles, IL 60175

WATAGA, IL 61488 contact: Dave Steck

Hugh: 618-729-4448 • Tom: 618-498-5848 Ron: 618-729-3258 Bulls, Females, Club Calves For Sale at all times. Full Irish calves available. 40 miles north of St. Louis.

Gordon 1160 600th Ave. Middletown, IL 62666

Mark cell: 217-737-7905 Shelden Tibbs, Herdsman mark.gordon@plantpioneer.com

Sale Reports

Studer/Wise

“Don’t You Think It’s Time” Bull Sale

Sale Summary

30 Bulls $ 255,250 $ 8,508

20 Semen Packages $ 10,725 $ 536

Sale Gross: $265,975

Saturday, February 28, 2026

WCC Cow Palace Anita, Iowa

Auctioneer: Jon Schaben

Sale Management: Studer Shorthorns by: Darryl Rahn

A large crowd gathered on the day prior to the sale to evaluate this stout set of herd bull prospects. What they found was a group of young bulls that were the best ever offered in this leading sale. Bulls with dimension and style that had the EPD lines that all want to see. The snappy sale saw active bidding from the seats and on the internet. Congratulations to the Studer Family for presenting an outstanding event.

$24,000 - Lot 10 - Wise’s High Plains 519 - A roan, polled March 15, 2025 son of EGL Triton MX 833 and out of Wise’s Stylish Lady 122. This was a very popular bull with some added thickness and depth of rib go with his style and balance. He has a good EPD line and is sired by a bull that has a proven record. Offered by Wise Shorthorns and purchased by Promiseland Cattle Co of Fishtail, Montana.

$16,500 - Lot 11 - Wise’s Freight Train - A roan, polled February 25, 2025 son of Wise’s Redwood 316 and out of Wise’s Stylish Lady 110. This was another bull with the added dimension and balance that many liked at the sale. His sire was the Reserve Grand Champion at the 2026 NWSS. He has the potential to be a top herd sire. Offered by Wise and purchased by a Commercial Breeder from Kansas.

$13,500 - Lot 2 - Studer’s Nautical 90N. A roan, polled March 14, 2025 son of Studer’s Priam Royal 21st ET and out of DSF Polly 8G. This was another very popular bull that is a grandson of the great Leader 21st and out of a top daughter of Studers Pretender 96th. This is a really stylish youngster that has the thickness and sound structure to make him a leader in the pasture. His mother is a Performance Dam and his $ EPDs are just outstanding. This is a good one. Offered by Studer and purchased by Schrag/Nikkel of Marion, South Dakota.

$13,000 - Lot 21 - Studer’s Notorious 34N. A roan, polled February 15, 2025 son of Byland Dynamite 3FL80 and out of GL Margie 922. This good bull is sired by a top son of Byland Flash and out of good young female. His structure and overall style make him one that will work on many of the breeds females.

His dollar values in his EPD line are just outstanding. Offered by Studer and purchased by David Luett of Maquoketa, Iowa.

$12,000 - Lot 3 - Studer’s Nationwide 19N. A red, polled January 23, 2025 son of Alta Cedar Diablo 98U and out of Leveldale Butterfly 574C. Here is a bull that saw a lot of traffic prior to the sale. He has great balance and style to go with natural width. He stands on stout bone and a good foot. He was a favorite of many. Out of a good Taylor Made daughter, this one will be a breeding bull. Offered by Studer and purchased by Long Cattle Co of Platte Center, Nebraska.

$10,500 - Lot 27 - Wise’s Consistent 515. A roan, polled March 2, 2025 son of EGL Triton MX 833 and out of an outstanding Performance Dam. A sound and functional beef bull with 14 of his 16 EPDs in the top 50% or better of the breed. Offered by Wise and purchased by Dexter McDermott of Atlantic, Iowa.

$23,250 - Volume Buyer - Lot 6 a JSF Forsaken son offered by Studer, Lot 23 a Taylor Made son offered by Studer, and Lot 28 a JSF Ronan son offered by Wise were all purchased by Molly Shorthorns of Massena, Iowa.

MCM Elegante Suites

4250 Ridgemont Dr, Abilene, Texas

Double Full or King :: $124/night (1-2 ppl) or $129/night (3-4 ppl) + fees and taxes

Phone to Book: 325-698-1234

https://shorthorn.org/junior-membership/junior-national/

Loving Farms “Predictable Genetics, Proven Performance”

Sale Summary

69 Bulls. $ 596,750 $ 8,649

37 Open Heifers $ 156,250 $ 4,223

Sale Gross: $753,000

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Loving Farms

Pawnee Rock, Kansas

Auctioneer: Kyle Elwood

Sale Management: Loving Farms by: Darryl Rahn

This sale is renowned for offering cattle that have proven performance to go with high end predictability. This years offering was exceptional in both categories. The bulls were big, stout high performing cattle with outstanding numbers across the board. The Loving operation does a great job in their feed efficiency testing and the numbers on these cattle were proof of that fact. The sale saw active bidding on this top set of bulls and on the great set of young open heifers. Congratulations to Marty and Scott for again presenting a great event.

$23,000 - Lot 37 - Ashvalley Bronc 5008. A red, polled January 29, 2025 3/4 blood son of Ash Valley Bronc 1400 and out of Ashvalley Jazzy 3430. This may be the best Bronc son todate. He is powerful from every angle to look at and is really powerful in his performance data. His 115 weaning ratio is a real testament to how his spread from birth to weaning set him apart. What a great breeding bull to add the performance and eye appeal to a herd.

Purchased by a Commercial Producer from Kansas.

$16,500 - Lot 1 - Ashvalley Complete 4449 - A red, polled September 2024 3/4 blood son of Ash Valley SL Complete 0408 and out of Ash Valley Lady 8719. This was a top bull in a strong set of long yearling bulls in this sale. He is massive from end to end with the muscle and performance to back up his predictability. His dam is a two time Pacer Performance Dam that is one of the best in the herd. This is a top breeding bull. Purchased by a Commercial Producer from Nebraska.

$15,500 - Lot 17 - Ashvalley Statement 4440 - A red, polled September 2024 son of Ash Valley Answer 0260 and out of Ash Valley Maiden 6573. A bull that has a great line of numbers in his profile. His IMF ratio of 131 is exceptional. He ranks in the top 10% for CED, BW, $CEZ and $CPI. All of these great performance numbers to go with a bull that is really put together in the right way. Purchased by Gilman Shorthorns of Stuart, Iowa.

$14,000 - Lot 38 - Ashvalley TML Palermo 5081. A red, polled February 22, 2025 son of JSF Palermo 27K and out of Ashvalley TML Myrtle Bo 3480. This a top son of the good breeding bull, Palermo. He has great numbers for calving ease to go with strong marbling and carcass weight EPDs. He weaned over 700 pounds to show his bred in performance. He will really make for a top sire. Purchased by a Commercial Producer from Kansas.

$13,500 - Lot 44 - Ashvalley Rawhide

5054. A black, polled February 10, 2025 1/2 blood son of POSS Rawhide and out of Ash Valley Okie 7576. This is true leader in performance numbers. His profile is in the top 1% of the breed across nearly the entire board. This one will add true performance to any herd. His dam is from the Okie line at Lovings that is a leading female line there. Purchased by a Commercial Producer from Kansas.

$13,000 - Lot 7 - Ashvalley Bottomline 4424. A black polled September 2024 3/8 blood son of Leachman TL Bottomline and out of Ash Valley Addie 0490. This is true heifer safe bull that has a great spread from birth to yearling in his EPD profile. The Leachman genetics put the performance and calving ease in their progeny. This one will work in any herd. Purchased by a Commercial Producer from Nebraska.

$13,000 - Lot 27 - Ashvalley Red Wave 4447. A red, polled September 2024 5/8 blood son of FHSU 074K ET and out of Ash Valley Jazzy 1634. This is a really good moderate framed bull that has great numbers for weaning and yearling. He has superior calving ease with a -2.2 BW EPD. His IMF ratio is 114. A great breeding piece for his new owner. Purchased by Sodhouse Cattle Co of Brewster, Kansas.

at the 2026 NJSS

Kentucky National Shorthorn Sale 2026

Sale Summary

2 Bulls $ 9,300 $ 4,650

12 PB Open Heifers $ 47,250 $ 3,938

7 Plus Open Heifer ...... $ 35,550 ...............$ 5,079

21 Live Lots ............... $ 92,100 ..............$ 4,386

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Kentucky Beef Expo Louisville, Kentucky

Auctioneer: Jeff Stansberry Sale Management: Cagwin Cattle Services, LLC and Elam Sales Management by: Darryl Rahn

A good crowd gathered at the Kentucky Expo grounds to view the cattle on display for this sale of top Shorthorn genetics. They found a very strong group of bulls and females that can compete in the show ring and in the pasture. The snappy auction saw active bidding on all lots in the sale with cattle going to new owners in several states. Congratulations to the consignors for bringing a strong set to this sale.

$8,000 - Lot 24 - Shorthorn Plus Open Heifer - SANK Max Rosa 523N. A black, polled April 29, 2025 daughter of Conley Manaco 3993 and out of CF Max Rosa 370 LL X ET. This youngster is a really good one. She already has compiled a strong show career and will continue to do so. A Max Rosa out of a top Angus sire. A great combination.

Offered by Sankey Cattle Co and purchased by Sawyer Thompson of Greensburg, Kentucky.

$7,100 - Lot 15 - Open Heifer - RDY Augusta Pride 504 UH ET. A roan, polled March 2, 2025 daughter of CF S/F Upper Hand X ET and out of CF CSF Augusta Pride 8147 EL ET. Another of the strong set of young show heifers in this sale. This one is really good. Her dam was the Grand Champion Heifer at the 2020 Junior National Show. This one could be in the hunt in her future. She is special. Offered by Maddox Reedy and purchased by Reesland Whisman of Illinois City, Illinois.

$6,500 - Lot 2 - Bull - MFK Rolling Stone K284 X. A red, polled August 2024 son of Leveldale Rolling Stone 907G and out of MFK Mary Rose K590 X. This is a powerful bull that will be a great breeding bull. His sire is by Taylor Made out of a good Leveldale Rosewood female. He is smooth made with the overall dimension and structure to make him a bull that would show and then be a great herd sire. Offered by MFK Shorthorns and purchased by Andy Henke of Salisbury, Missouri.

$6,500 - Lot 22 -Shorthorn Plus Open Heifer - RDY Kesha 513. A roan, polled October 3, 2025 daughter of Wise’s Innovator 124 and out of Fox Kesha Kate 305. This fancy young show

Tennessee Beef Agribition 2026

Sale Summary

1 Bull $ 3,500 $ 3,500

14 Open Heifers $ 51,200 $ 3,657

4 ShPlus Open Hfrs $ 20,150 $ 5,038

5 Pairs/Breds $ 22,900 $ 4,580

24 Live Lots $ 448,000 $ 4,073

2 Semen Pkgs $ 225 $ 113 Sale Gross: $97,975

Saturday, March 14, 2026 Agribition Grounds Lebanon, Tennessee

Auctioneer: Jeff Stansberry Sale Management: Elam Sales Management by: Darryl Rahn

The consignors to this Agribition sale brought a truly strong set of cattle for the buyers to evaluate. The sale saw active bidding on the top quality animals that were offered. Strong prices were given in all categories. Congratulations to all who made this an excellent sale.

$8,750 - Lot 5 - Open Heifer - JLT Gold Rose 517N. A white, polled June 2, 2025 daughter of JSF Joe Cool 17E and out of JSF Gold Rose 123L. This was a very popular young heifer that has all the style and balance needed in a

top show heifer and then a great brood matron. The Gold Rose line is one of the leaders for the Jungels firm in North Dakota. Offered by Jeremy Thomas and purchased by Carolina Cattle Co of Central, South Carolina.

$8,250 - Lot 18 - Shorthorn Plus Open Heifer - Schab’s Fancy Primrose. A black, polled February 2, 2025 daughter of Goet 180 and out of NF Roan Fool For You ET. This outstanding plus heifer will hunt. She has all the look and structure to make her a leader in the show ring. She will be heard from this coming show season. Offered by Schabbing Shorthorns and purchased by Carolina Cattle Co of Central, South Carolina.

$5,500 - Lot 16 - Shorthorn Plus Open Heifer - Sunrise Rosetta 1035. A black, polled October 10, 2025 daughter of Schab’s Gotta Do It 1023 and out of BFR Rosetta 2123. This is a fancy young heifer that has a ton of potential in the show ring and beyond. She is stout made with a show ring look. She will compete. Offered by Sunrise Farms and purchased by Baylann Giles of Lewisburg,

prospect has a dam who was Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus female at the 2024 Illinois State Fair. She is long sided and has the style and balance to be a top contender in the Fall age group. Offered by Maddox Reedy and purchased by Troy Cooley of Rio, Wisconsin.

$5,000 - Lot 6 - Open HeiferSharBen Crystal Erinne 1607. A roan, horned September 14, 2025 daughter of Sharben Ringo’s Reward 1479 and out of Sharben Crystal Evelyn 1330. This is a really good Fall born show heifer. She has the length of side to go with natural thickness and stout bone. She will definitely compete in the show ring. She has that show ring look. Offered by SharBen Shorthorns and purchased by Laylan Howard of Sharpsburg, Kentucky.

$5,000 - Lot 17 - Open HeiferSharBen Roan Rose RD 1557. A roan, polled February 25, 2025 daughter of Byland Red Dog 0SD44 and out of Sharben Evelyn Rose 1067 ET. Another fancy show heifer in the Spring class. By a son of Soggy Dog and out of a female sired by Evolution. This one has pedigree that alone makes her a great addition to any breeding program. And, she can show as well. Offered by SharBen Shorthorns and purchased by Chris and Amy Ploeeger of Rushville, Indiana.

Tennessee.

$5,500 - Lot 22 - Cow/Calf Pair - JCN Prima Bella 167J. A white, polled 2021 daughter of Leveldale Napolien 745E and out of Suth Prima Bella 351E. At her side was a Heifer Calf born February 26 sired by JCN Gettin’ Cider. This was a nice pair to lead off this section of the sale. A highly productive mother cow with a fancy calf at side sired by a son of Taylor Made. A really good investment here. Offered by J&C Nicodemus Family Farms and purchased by Thomas Wilson of Lewisburg, Tennessee.

$5,000 - Lot 6 - Open Heifer - JT Miss Perfection 511N. A roan, polled daughter of JSF White Noise 42K and out of PVSS Perfection 12L ET. This young female is sired by the high selling White Noise. There are two female lines in her pedigree that make her a truly great breeding piece. The Kendra line on the sire side and Miss Perfection on the dam side. An exciting youngster here. Offered by Jeremy Thomas and purchased by Jungels Shorthorn Farms of Kathryn, North Dakota.

News & Notes

Farewells

Warren E. Oetken, 82 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Warren Eugene Oetken was born on April 5, 1943 in Akron, Iowa to George and Clara (Popken) Oetken. He was a lifelong resident of Washington Township, Plymouth County. Warren attended Dalton (later renamed West Le Mars) country school and continued his education at Le Mars Community School where he graduated from in 1961.

Warren served in the United States Army from May 1966-1968. During that time, he was called to active duty in Ft. Carson, Colorado during the Vietnam War.

On April 3, 1965, Warren married his high school sweetheart, Sheryl L. Schulz, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, Iowa. They settled west of Merrill, IA and began farming and raising livestock.

The heart and soul of their farm was his cattle business which coined the name, W.O. Limousin/Polled Shorthorn. For 40 years they held an annual cattle sale, with customers attending from across the U.S. Sale day was a special day for Warren, but more importantly were the lifelong friends that were made.

Warren was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Brunsville, and a member of Heeren-McHaleWilkens Legion in Brunsville. He enjoyed working with youth in the community; he volunteered as a 4-H leader and loved coaching Merrill boys baseball. He also coached for Le Mars Senior League baseball.

He greatly enjoyed his time with the Le Mars Sportsman’s Club, spending countless hours with friends who loved trap shooting and antique gun collections. He loved hosting at his farm the White Buffalo Target Shootout for nearly 20 years. The friends who attended meant the world to him.

Warren’s family was so important to him, there were always special moments on the farm with the kids and grandkids: riding the Honda, feeding cattle, Easter

egg hunts, learning to shoot targets, and many more. He was proud of their accomplishments and loved following them in their sports, 4-H, and other activities.

Warren is survived by his 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren: son, Jeff (Mickey) Oetken of Willis, TX and his children: Whitney (Cooper Schuh) Oetken and Brooke (Tommy) Moreland; daughter, Lori Oetken of Sioux City, IA and her son, Logan (Jalisa) Oetken; daughter, Stacie Schultz of Lake City, IA and her children: Sydnie (Tyler) O’Tool and their daughter, Josie O’Tool, and Madison (Dylan Scheffler) Schultz; and daughter, Kelli (Will) Wilson of Dakota Dunes, SD and their children: Will Wilson Jr, Tyson (Ashley) Wilson and their daughter Isabelle, Parker Moss, Preston (Reese) Moss, and Simion Wilson. Warren is also survived by other extended relatives.

Warren is preceded in death by his wife, Sheryl Oetken; father, George Oetken; mother, Clara Oetken; brother, Alwayne Oetken; and sister, Beverly Held.

Sara Hunter, 41, of Britt, formerly of Belmond, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Sara was born June 26, 1984, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Pete and Cindy Hunter. She was raised in Belmond, Iowa, where she grew up surrounded by family, cattle, and the agricultural community that would shape her lifelong passions.

Sara graduated from BelmondKlemme High School and went on to attend Iowa State University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree. She later completed her MBA through University of Phoenix.

From an early age, Sara developed a deep love for cattle and the livestock industry, particularly the Shorthorn breed. She dedicated much of her time to supporting youth in agriculture. Sara served on the American Junior Shorthorn Association Board, including serving as President, where she helped

guide and mentor junior members across the country. She later continued that commitment as an advisor to the Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association, helping lead junior activities at the Iowa Beef Expo and encouraging the next generation of cattle exhibitors.

Sara began her professional career with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association before joining Vermeer Corporation, where she played a role in developing and launching the company’s presence at Iowa State University. Through that work she collaborated with the Ames Chamber, advised student groups, and traveled internationally representing Vermeer.

Over the past few years, Sara courageously battled cancer. During this time, she continued doing what she loved—working with animals and supporting her community through her work at local veterinary clinics, including Britt Vet Clinic and Holmes Vet Clinic.

Sara had a creative eye and a love for photography, often capturing special moments and memories. She was also the creative mind behind the marketing and photography for Cyclone Trace Cattle Company. Outside of work, Sara enjoyed country music, cheering on

Iowa State basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

Sara will especially be remembered for her kindness and thoughtful spirit. She loved surprising others with small gifts and simple gestures of care, including delivering May Day flowers to brighten someone’s day.

One of Sara’s greatest joys in life was being an aunt to her niece, Rylan. She treasured their time together—making crafts and holiday ornaments, baking brownies, and more recently playing with Rylan and her dog, Rosie. Those moments meant the world to her.

Sara is survived by her parents, Pete and Cindy Hunter of Britt, Iowa; her sister and brother-in-law, Ashley and Jess Recknor of Britt, Iowa; her beloved niece, Rylan Recknor; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Benjamin and Mabel Barkema and Doc and Evelyn Hunter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Junior Shorthorn Foundation or the Iowa Junior Shorthorn Association in Sara’s honor.

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Sales Calendar

* To have your sale listed in the sales calendar, you must be an advertiser with the Shorthorn Country.

April 6 - Bollum Family Shorthorns Red, White, and Roan-Spring Fling Online Sale, Goodhue, MN, amsonlinesales.com

April 2 - 23rd Annual “Who’s Your Daddy” Shorthorn Bull and Female Sale, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

April 2 - Schrag|Nikkel Spring Forward Online Sale, Marion, S.D., sconlinesales.com

April 4 - Paint Valley Farm and Byland “A New Brand” Bull Sale, Millersburg, Ohio.

April 6 - Bollum Family Shorthorns Red, White, and Roan-Spring Fling Online Sale, Goodhue, Minn., amsonlinesales.com

April 11 - Lazy Bar F and Double G Shorthorns “Red Dirt Treasures” Shorthorn Production Sale, Seminole, Okla.

April 14 - Peak View Ranch Annual Production Sale, Fowler, Colo., CCi.Live Online

April 18 - Little Cedar Cattle Company “Springtime Revival”, Fort Smith, Ark.

April 19 - Oklahoma Spring Selection Sale, amsonlinesales.com

May 9 - SharBen Shorthorns and Martindell Shorthorns “Return of the Southern Stars” Sale, Campbellsburg, Ky.

April 11 - Lazy Bar F and Double G Shorthorns “Red Dirt Treasures” Shorthorn Production Sale, Seminole, OK.

April 14 - Peak View Ranch Annual Production Sale, Fowler, CO, CCi.LiveOnline

April 18 - Little Cedar Cattle Company Springtime Revival, Fort Smith, AR

April 19 - Oklahoma Spring Selection Sale, amsonlinesales.com

April 21 - Texas Shorthorn Association Elite Heifer Sale, amsonlinesales.com

May 2 - Long Branch Little Moo’s Movin Into Summer Online Sale, amsonlinesales.com

May 9 - SharBen Shorthorns and Martindell Shorthorns “Return of the Southern Stars” Sale, Campbellsburg, KY.

May 11 - Oklahoma Shorthorn Association “Banners on Tulsa Time” Online Sale, amsonlinesales.com

Ad Index

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