A new generation of cattle industry leaders is emerging, and 52 of those individuals made their way to the campus of West Texas A&M University on Friday, July 28, to showcase their skills and knowledge at the 2017 TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge.
Wortham’s Nikki Boney was among those participating this year.
This annual contest allows students age nine through graduating seniors the opportunity to gain industry knowledge and practical experience in commercial cattle feeding. Students feed a pen of three steers and compete on their knowledge of the industry through a written test and an interview or oral presentation, depending on their division. Cattle performance points are also figured into the score to determine the winners of more than $20,000 in prizes, premiums and college scholarships.
The Overall Champion of the contest and winner of a $5,000 scholarship, a plaque and trophy buckle, was Amelia Stavinoha of Eagle Lake. Reserve Overall Champion and winner of a $3,000 scholarship, a plaque and trophy buckle, was Wilsey Wendler of College Station. The First Runner-Up and winner of a $2,000 scholarship, a plaque and trophy buckle, was Kaylie Zapalac of La Grange. In the junior division, Leroy Stavinoha was named the Overall Champion, receiving a $200 prize, a plaque and a trophy buckle. Thank you to the 2017 TCFA Sponsors for supporting this event.
In addition to the previously listed winners, students who participated in this year’s contest include Aiden Ronald Bickers, Valley View; Sydney Lynn Bickers, Valley View; Nikki Boney, Wortham; Ryley Brooks, Kingsbury; Blaire Brorman, Hereford; Easton Cousil, Brenham; Destin Counsil, Brenham; Eric Daniels, Dalhart; Luke Daniels, Dalhart; Judd Daniels, Dalhart; Maggie Davis, Spearman; Jack Davis, Spearman; Cy Davis, Spearman; Zachary Downe, Gainesville; Hope Gleghorn, Amarillo; Jacob Hale, Throckmorton; Seth Hale, Throckmorton; Brett Heitschmidt, Nazareth; Emily Heitschmidt, Nazareth; Ryan Heitschmidt, Nazareth; Miles Huffhines, Canyon; Bethany Janner, Brenham; Caitlyn Klam, Schulenburg; Madison Klam, Schulenburg; Garrison Koehn, Weimar; Gavin Kubala, Schulenburg; Grant Kubala, Schulenburg; Brody Nelson, Dimmitt; Jacob Rogers, Rockwall; Raleigh Scherer, Brenham; Caeden Scherer, Brenham; David Schoenemann, Caldwell; Emma Schueler, Friona; Tristan Schueler, Friona; Aubrey Schueler, Friona; Emma Stevenson, Earth; Clayton Stevenson, Earth; Winston Stevenson, Bushland; Brayden Vancil, Schulenburg; Alexis Whitely, Sanger; Tara Whitely, Sanger; Ty Whitely, Sanger; Tatum Whitewood, Sanger; Addison Wilson, Gilmer; Brennen Wilson, Gilmer; Alexis Wilson, Canyon; and Ryan Wood, Dalhart.
TCFA represents the cattle feeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Known as Cattle Feeding Country, this area is the largest cattle feeding region in America and annually markets about 6 million fed cattle — 28 percent of the nation’s fed cattle production. To find out more information about TCFA, visit www.tcfa.org.
