State Fair Livestock Champions Gain More Than Banners from the Show Ring
The winner’s circle. The handshake. The champion’s slap. These are the ultimate goals of every young livestock exhibitor, and state fairs are often the culmination of long hours spent feeding, washing, brushing and exercising an animal to earn the coveted title of grand champion. But long after the dust has settled, the banners have faded and the trophies have tarnished, lessons learned, memories made and friendships formed will remain.
We often use livestock to teach young people about work ethic and animal husbandry, but these animals do much more. They help form lifelong connections. Youth livestock projects teach us to work with a variety of personalities, and they lead us to venues where we can create lasting friendships.
From Shy and Timid to Repeat Supreme
“My favorite thing about showing livestock is the friendships I have made and networking with others in the livestock industry,” said Cealy Bedwell, Holt, Missouri. “I’ve formed some of my favorite friendships from showing cattle – some of the people will probably be in my wedding party.”
The 15-year-old freshman recently showed the Supreme Champion Female at the 2026 Missouri State Fair, the second time she has won the title since 2023. This year was a little sweeter as her heifer was a bred-and-owned Angus heifer, Milli. Additionally, this same Angus heifer claimed the Supreme Heifer title in the same location – Sedalia – earlier in the show season at the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association All-Breeds Junior Show.
“It was really cool to win with a bred-and-owned heifer. This cow family has done a lot for our family and me,” Bedwell said, proclaiming that the National Junior Angus Show is one of her favorite two shows, along with the Cattlemen’s Congress.
Bedwell admits she was pretty timid when she initially started showing in 2020. However, she appreciates what the livestock industry has done for her to boost her confidence and interpersonal skills. She is a member of Missouri’s Champion Livestock Judging Team and is working out to compete in Louisville at the North American in November. She plans to compete on livestock judging teams in junior and senior college. Her advice to others:
“Always be yourself. Be confident and make new friends.”
Keeping it in the Family
For Harper Tolle, capturing the Grand Champion Market Lamb title at the Colorado State Fair with her lamb “Gotti” is just one step toward a larger goal. It was also something special to share with her sister.
“I was excited, especially since my sister won last year, and they award a traveling trophy to the grand champion lamb. There was one space left for this year’s winner, and I am so excited to have my name next to hers on that traveling trophy,” Tolle said.
Tolle, an eighth grader at Highland Middle School in Ault, Colorado, loves bringing in new lambs, learning their personalities, and seeing whether a lamb will be easy to work with and show, like Gotti. She also thoroughly enjoys the connections she makes.
“I also love meeting people and making friends with people all around the country, even though we might only see each other at sales and shows,” she said.
In addition to her time spent in the barn, Tolle competes in cross-country, volleyball, basketball and track. Her goals include winning a national sheep show and making it to state in the sports she plays. She credits her parents, sister, and oldest brother, along with various breeders, for helping her succeed, and encourages others to find their mentors.
“Hard work and consistency are the most important part (of showing livestock),” Tolle said. “Find people who are honest with you and who will help you.”
A Year of Firsts
Ike Heckman, Hennepin, Illinois, has shown gilts for several years. However, this year, he showed a barrow at the Illinois State Fair. Not only did his barrow, Noah, capture Grand Champion Crossbred, he also captured the Grand Champion Market Hog banner for the first-year barrow exhibitor.
“I was pumped after I won the crossbreds, and happily surprised when I won the whole thing,” said the 11-year-old. “We thought we had some nice pigs, but we had no expectations.”
Heckman enjoys the feeling of knowing his and his family’s hard work has paid off after a win. He also loves the camaraderie – something that Illinois State Fair winners get to grow as all champions stay an extra week in the “Hall of Champions.”
“I like being with my friends. I got to hang out with the other kids in the Hall of Champions, we sampled fair food, and I met the governor (at the premium sale),” Heckman said.
He offers sound advice for first-time pig exhibitors.
“You only get one shot to make a good first impression. Come out of the gate strong,” he said.
Prep to Win
Three state fairs. Three species. Three young people with great recommendations who all enjoy making and spending time with friends. What is their connection? They all use Sure Champ, a line of show livestock supplements designed t support animal health and well-being inside and outside of the ring.
Heckman starts his show pigs on Sure Champ Liquid Boost® two days before they leave for a show and keeps them on the orange, sweet liquid for the duration of the show. Designed for all species and powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, this product can be added to water, top-dressed on feed or drenched to animals. It supports the animal's digestive and immune system.
“Liquid Boost keeps my pigs drinking and on feed at shows,” he said.
Tolle also gives her lambs Liquid Boost, along with two Sure Champ gels – Climate Control, to support digestive health and recovery during heat, and Clench, which supports normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. The gels are also designed for all species.
“Clench was especially important when one lamb had the poops! The Liquid Boost and Climate Control help their stomachs hold up better,” she said.
Bedwell appreciates Sure Champ Cattle for its protein, vitamin and mineral content, plus Amaferm, to keep her cattle healthy and their digestive systems functioning.
“We give the Sure Champ Cattle pellet every feeding, and it helps them stay on feed even when they are stressed,” Bedwell said.
Thanks to the Bedwell, Heckman, and Tolle families and numerous others who trust Sure Champ to help them get to the backdrop. We appreciate the confidence in the products. Get your Sure Champ products from a local dealer or shop online.