Eleven receive heifers through Youth Beef Experience Program
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 11/07/2011 4:07 PM
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FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. – Eleven heifers were awarded to young people at the 2011 Minnesota Beef Expo.
Producers donate heifers to the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program to help young people get started in the beef cattle business. Eligible recipients are 4-H or FFA members who are 12-16 years old. Through an application process, they must demonstrate a commitment to agriculture, their future goals, their financial need and their ability to properly raise the heifer.
From the 77 applications received, Hannah Bolduan, 14, of Caledonia was picked as one of the 11 recipients. She was awarded the Red Angus heifer Oct. 22 during the expo at the state fairgrounds.
The heifer will join Boldaun's herd of four other cows and heifers that she raises as a 4-H project. She will show the heifer at the Houston County Fair and other shows in the area.
Money that Boldaun makes from selling the heifer's future offspring will go to paying for her college eduation, she said. She is excited to have a registered animal because the calves will bring more money. She is thinking of studying veterinary medicine.
"It will be a good experience," said Boldaun's father, Mike. He thinks it will help keep his daughter interested in agriculture.
Boldaun now enters into a one-year co-ownership and mentoring relationship with the heifer's donors. She takes full ownership of the heifer after one year.
Goodrich Place, Inc., run by Mark, Claudine and Joyce Goodrich of Emerald Wis., donated the animal on behalf of the Minnesota Red Angus Association.
The Goodrichs are the ones who began the MYBEP program. With this year's set of heifers, the program has awarded 62 head over the years, said Mark.
Jase Peterson, 14, of Lake Lillian, Minn., received a heifer through a drawing at a seminar held Oct. 20. University of Minnesota staff ran the event to teach young people more about the beef industry.
Peterson's heifer, purchased with funds from the Minnestoa State Cattlemen's Association during the expo's cattle sale, is a Simmental from Oak Meadow Farms in Harmony. It's his first heifer. He previously leased cattle for FFA projects.
"I'm hoping to start a herd," he said.
Rhonda Wulf's family of Morris, Minn., donated this year's Limousin heifer. The Wulfs have contributed to the program before on behalf of the Minnesota Limousin Association. The animal they brought this year would sell for $2,000 to $2,500, she said.
"We like the mentorship part of it, to give the kids a chance," said Rhonda.
Recipients must arrange for the calf to be bred, maintain records on her care and provide progress reports to the original owner.
It's exciting to see young people's enthusiasm for the beef industry, she said. By donating a heifer, her family is encouraging them to consider working with Limousins.
Winners received other prizes, including Andis clippers and show halters. Select Sires contributes two staws of semen from any available bull.
From last year's MYBEP winners, Emma Ulmer of Lake Park received the Achievement Award for her care and record keeping on her Shorthorn.