Beef Expo helps dreams come true for young producers
Heather Thorstensen
Date Modified: 11/04/2009 2:56 PM
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Agri News staff writer
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. -- When Kayla Mulhern arrived at Minnesota Beef Expo last week, she didn't know she would leave with a donated heifer.
Since it began in 2004, the Expo's Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program has paired a handful of young people each year with donated heifers to help get them started in the business. They also get a mentor in the beef producer who donates the heifer. In six years, the program has given out 42 heifers.
Of 51 applicants, seven young people knew they were selected this year before they arrived at the Expo, but one more heifer was still up for grabs. At a seminar Oct. 15, the names of young people who applied for the heifers but weren't picked were put into a hat for one more shot.
Mulhern, a seventh-grader who lives west of Fountain, remembers her legs were shaking so much that she almost fell down the stairs when her name was called.
The Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association raised upwards of $2,000 to purchase a heifer for her Oct. 17 at the Expo's sale.
Mulhern wanted a Shorthorn, a breed in her family's herd.
"I just like the way they look," she said.
She watched the sale cattle show earlier in the day to see what she had to choose from, then worked with MSCA's Dar Giess, who helped her select the Expo's reserve champion Shorthorn heifer. That animal caught Giess' eye because she has qualities that will make her a good cow, he said.
The heifer will join Mulhern's herd, which consists of one other heifer and one cow. Her cattle are a 4-H project. She wants to get her own herd started in case she decides to keep beef as part of her future.
She showed her heifer for the first time Oct. 18 during the Expo's Junior Breeding Heifer Show. She'll also take the Shorthorn to her county fair, other shows in her area and, if she qualifies, the state fair.
The Youth Beef Experience Program is unique to Minnesota. Participants take full responsibility of their heifers, keep records, report back to their donors throughout the year and arrange for the heifer to be bred. They co-own the heifers with their donors for the first year, then take ownership. They each received a pair of Andis clippers and up to two straws of semen from Select Sires.
Mulhern's parents, Tim and Dawn, said they were happy and excited that she got the heifer in the first year she was eligible.
"It'll keep her busy throughout the year," Tim said.
The program was started by Mark and Claudine Goodrich of Emerald, Wis., who wanted to help young people get over the financial hurdle of starting a herd.
"Most of the breed associations have stepped up and stepped forward with breeders in the state to help these young people," said Mark Goodrich, who also is a coordinator of the Expo for the Minnesota State Fair.
The Goodrichs donated an Angus heifer the first year to Andy Scholtz, now 18, of Comfrey.
"It teaches you a lot of responsibility," Scholtz said, who continues to buy new Angus cattle with the money he makes from selling calves.
Alex Voyles, 16, of Lewisville, was the seminar drawing winner for the final heifer last year. The program paired him with members of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association throughout the year, which taught him a lot since his family didn't have beef cattle until he brought his heifer home. He's also continuing to grow his herd.
"I would recommend it," Voyles said of the program. "You don't just get the cattle, you get the knowledgeable people to help you."
Larry Scheel of Scheel Angus, Inc., in New Richmond, Wis., was honored during the presentation of heifers. The first heifer he donated on behalf of the Minnesota Angus Association died, but he didn't hesitate to donate a second, said Claudine Goodrich. Scheel died earlier this month in a car collision.
Dakota McClendon, 15, of Richville got the South Devon heifer this year. When he's not in school, he works on a beef farm owned by Albert Werner. His reaction to learning he'd be selected for a heifer was beyond words, he said. He hopes to get a loan through USDA to continue expanding his herd.
Reid Oftedahl, 15, of Pemberton got the Charolais heifer. Oftedahl is heavily involved in rodeo. Eight of his cousins applied for the program, but he's the first to get a heifer.
"It'll be something new to do," he said.
Megan Schoenbauer of New Prague was picked out of last year's MYBEP winners for an achievement award for the care of her heifer.