Livestock Exhibitors Value Family, Success

“Breath-taking!” “Excited, but surprised.” “Surreal.”  

These are just a few of the emotions young exhibitors used to describe their reactions to receiving the judges’ handshake for champion at their respective breed national junior shows this summer. These events are often the culmination of several months spent in the barn, working with animals, washing, rinsing, brushing and blowing hair, practicing showmanship, and getting the right nutrition into an animal to prepare them to show. In addition to multiple days of cattle shows, junior nationals offer young people a chance to compete in life skill contests outside of the show ring, such as salesmanship, public speaking, quiz bowl, photography, showmanship, team fitting, and more. Finally, these weeklong events are places where friendships are formed, mentors and proteges are paired, and lifelong memories are forged. 

Double the Fun 

For the sibling duo of Kaytlyn and Easton Harfst from Battle Creek, Michigan, capturing the grand champion cow-calf honor at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Exposition (JNHE) was a definite show-ring highlight. Kaytlyn, 12, showed the cow, HC Eden 302, while younger brother Easton, 10, led the calf, HC Fern 601. The fact that the pair first captured the grand champion bred-and-owned honor makes the win even more special.  

Fern, the calf at side, will continue her show career, as Easton’s bred-and-owned heifer through the fall and next year. He explained how she got her unique name. 

“Her mom’s name is Eden, and Ferns grew in the Garden of Eden. She was also born during the Winter Storm Fern.”  

Although Eden and Fern share special names, there’s even more that makes them a distinct pair for Kaytlyn and Easton. 

“We only have about five calves each year. And Fern was one of those calves. We were out there competing against some people who have big herds – 100s of calves each year. I was excited, but surprised,” Easton said. 

Kaytlyn agreed. She said it was “breathtaking” when the judge congratulated her – a moment she won’t soon forget from her fifth JNHE. 

Fun in and Out of the Show Ring 

For the Grauer brothers of Shiloh, Ohio, the Chi-Maine Junior National is a place to have fun – in and out of the show ring. Weston, 10, showed Spanky to the fourth overall Chi-Angus Heifer title this year during his fifth trip to compete at junior national. Eight-year-old brother Lawson’s heifer Juicy Fruit won her class, but according to Lawson, she wouldn’t behave in in the show ring. 

Both boys successfully participated in several contests. Weston competed in showmanship, quiz bowl, judging, and was on the second-place dodgeball team. Lawson took advantage of the Rookie events for younger kids and was a member of the fourth-place fitting team, reserve quiz bowl team and won fifth in rookie showmanship.  

“The best part is all the fun, dodgeball, swimming and the contests,” Weston said.  

Lawson agrees. 

“I just like to have fun. And hang out with my cousins.” 

A Family Affair 

Like Lawson Grauer, Anne Dameron agrees family makes a big difference in her time at the National Junior Angus Show. A fourth-generation Angus producer from central Illinois, who is approaching her senior year at the University of Illinois, Anne has relied heavily on her family for their support and assistance in getting her cattle ready while she is away at internships and representing the breed as the immediate past chair of the National Junior Angus board. 

Anne showed the grand champion bred-and-owned female and first-ever supreme bred-and-owned animal at this year’s NJAS.  

“It was a cool experience, coming out of the ring with my brother and my family there. I went into this sentimental week with lots of emotions, knowing it was my last national junior show. And I am grateful for how the week went,” Dameron said. 

In addition to having her immediate family’s support, she has younger cousins also involved in junior Angus programs, and her cousin Lydia Leake won her first bred-and-owned division this year. 

“It was very cool to show beside Lydia in the grand drive,” Anne said. 

Later in the week, Anne received the prestigious Junior Angus Herdsman award, voted on by her peers. 

“I was already sentimental, and I was so excited that the junior members thought enough of me to vote for me for this award. It was surreal.”  

A Common Thread 

What do these five exhibitors from different states and with different breeds have in common? They all rely on the Amaferm® advantage found in Sure Champ® and VitaFerm® products to help their cattle perform and feel their best for the show ring. All three families use the VitaFerm Stress Tubs, designed to support digestive health and intake. The Grauers and Damerons also feed Sure Champ Cattle, a pelleted, daily supplement with protein, vitamins, and minerals for show livestock designed to support performance. 

“We really like the Sure Champ Cattle because it keeps the vitamins and minerals in my cattle and promotes appetite and keeps them drinking,” Anne said. 

Weston and Easton agree that the VitaFerm Stress Tubs are their favorite products. “They keep my cattle eating and aggressive on feed,” Easton said. 

Kaytlyn has a different favorite product – Sure Champ Joint Juice, which relies on a different technology than Amaferm. Joint Juice is a liquid product for all livestock species designed to support joint health utilizing patented technology, MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. 

Prep to Win 

Although these successful young exhibitors use Sure Champ and VitaFerm products from BioZyme, they offer great advice for anyone who wants to succeed in or out of the showring. 

From Anne Dameron: 

“Encourage younger juniors to meet someone new. Go for things you want, even if you don’t always feel ready. It is good to push yourself to achieve your goals.” 

From Lawson Grauer: 

“Wash your animal every single day. Get it completely dry and blow forward.” 

From Weston Grauer: 

“Make sure to check your animals twice a day. Always have fun.” 

From Easton Harfst: 

“Always show to win, but your identity isn't found in how you place.” 

From Kaytlyn Harfst: 

“Your dreams are your limits, so dream big!” 

Exhibitors Value Family, Success 

These five young people are wise beyond their age. They know the importance of family and hard work. And the importance of having fun. The combination of family, work, and fun is ingrained in today's and tomorrow’s young livestock exhibitors so they will always know the keys to success. 

If you’d like to learn more about the products these young people use or about any BioZyme products, visit www.biozymeinc.com.