The 31st annual Hoosier Beef Congress was held last weekend at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Approximately 1,300 head of cattle were registered for the weekend.
In the showmanship finals, 149 exhibitors advanced to the showmanship contest that were held on Saturday. In the novice division, Reed Utterback of Elwood, was chosen by judge Bailey Farrer. Weston Ott of Albion was third overall in the novice division. There were 33 individuals in the novice showmanship finals.
In the junior division, Rob Rogers of Kendallville took home the champion banner with Harper Henney of Angola as the reserve. Judge Mia Bayer commented on Rogers ability to utilize the entire ring during the show. Thirty-nine exhibitors were in the junior showmanship finals.
The intermediate showmanship finals saw 44 exhibitors being judged by Taylor Graham. Tori Culp of Francesville received top honors in the division. Culp, as well as other showmanship winners, competed in the overall showmanship later on in the day.
Claire Trennepohl of Middletown was the top senior showman as well as the overall showman. There were 33 seniors in the final round. Trennepohl has been showing since before she was eight years old and for the 19-year-old, this was the perfect way to end the weekend.
The Purdue University freshman commented that it meant a lot to win at the Hoosier Beef Congress.
"My sister has won supreme overall and it's pretty cool to follow in her footsteps," said Trennepohl. "It means a lot because you have all these little kids looking up to the older kids and just to be a mentor to them, it's pretty awesome."
In the heifer division, Kallie Anne Knott of LaOtto exhibited the reserve supreme heifer. Knott's reserve heifer was the Angus champion.
Konner Kirkpatrick of Avilla exhibited the reserve champion Chianina. The reserve champion Belted Galloway was exhibited by Brice Patrick of North Manchester, and the reserve champion Charolais was exhibited by Redmin Brumbaugh of LaOtto.
Karly Kirkpatrick of Avilla exhibited the reserve champion Composite Charolais while Katie Mize of North Manchester exhibited the reserve champion Simmental Solution heifer. Colten Anderson of Lake Village exhibited the champion Shorthorn heifer and Konner Kirkpatrick of Avilla exhibited the reserve champion Shorthorn Plus heifer.
In the steer division, Ross Brumbaugh of LaOtto exhibited the reserve grand champion steer. Harlee Henney of Angola exhibited the third overall steer showing a Maine. Sawyer Bales of Larwill exhibited the reserve champion Belted Galloway, and Mallory Johnson of Churubusco exhibited the reserve champion Shorthorn Plus steer.
Hoosier Beef Congress serves as an early start to the show season for many families. The weekend entails not only shows and showmanship, but also an auction for exhibitors to purchase a steer or heifer for their county fair. While many exhibitors will not show until June or July for their county fair, the weekend provided a good practice. The weekend also saw a fitting and judging contest for participants, as well as judging teams from around the state.