RAPID CITY, S.D. – If the 2024 Western Junior Livestock Show is any indication, youth are serious about their livestock. More than 400 youth and their families from South Dakota and six surrounding states take time away from school and work activities to show their sheep, goats and cattle at the Rapid City show – now in its 87th year.
Each year, the South Dakota Farmer’s Union (SDFU) awards livestock to youth exhibitors through its Herd Builder Awards program – one of the ways Farmers Union supports the next generation of livestock producers.
Herd Builder winners Rylan Fagerhaug, Wessington Springs; Brooke Lamont, Union Center and Evelyn Bunker, Reliance each received a breeding ewe. They are pictured here with South Dakota Farmers Union leaders and staff Rocky Forman, Member Services Coordinator, David Reis, District 4 Board Member, Dallis Basel, District 8 Board Member, Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director.
Kids get the opportunity to add top quality genetics to their herd or flock – giving them a bit of step up in the production process.
The winners are selected by a panel of judges based on an application. Only youth involved in Western Junior qualify.
Five of these youth won new breeding stock (two breeding heifers and three breeding ewes) thanks to the SDFU Herd Builder Awards.
The winners of this years Herd Builder Awards are Oakleigh Reis-Elwood, Reliance; Trace Urban, Pukwana; Rylan Fagerhaug, Wessington Springs; Brooke Lamont, Union Center and Evelyn Bunker, Reliance.
Exhibitor and winner of a Herd Builder breeding heifer Trace Urban and his Dad, Ryan joined the morning broadcast to visit about South Dakota Farmers Union, the Herd Builder Awards and competing at the Western Junior Livestock Show.
13-year-old Trace Urban and Dad Ryan visit about the SDFU Herd Builder Award, showing livestock, raising cattle and crops in South Dakota. (Pictured Ryan and Samantha Urban and kids.)
