March 29, 2024

Southwest Iowa well represented at Junior Simmental National Classic

DES MOINES – The American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA) held its National Junior Simmental Classic July 9-15 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The 2016 AJSA National Classic, Denim and Diamonds, boasted the highest exhibitor and cattle numbers in history with 28 states represented with 1020 head of cattle and 542 exhibitors.

Southwest Iowa was represented by Keegan and Kolbey Bailey of Creston, Caylie and Ryker Hickman of Mount Ayr, MaKayla Jones of Tingley, Cody and Sammi Long of Creston, Tyler Loudon of Creston, Brynn Nickle of Clearfield and Carson Rieck of Creston. Kadley Bailey and Hollyn Rieck also participated in the novice program. Iowa was very well represented in the cattle shows with Iowa taking both the champion and reserve champion purebred simmental heifer honors with Sara Sullivan of Dunlap showing the champion and Kierstan Jass of Garner showing the reserve champion.

Not only did all compete with their cattle at the show, but also spent the week participating in several contests the association offers. Cattlemen’s quiz is a test taken by juniors on the knowledge of the cattle industry. Public speaking is an extemporaneous speech that each contestant gets 30 minutes to prepare for a 3- to 6-minute speech on the cattle industry. Sales talk is the contestant’s ability to sell their animal and its genetic benefits to two prospective buyers within a 10-minute time frame. Cattle judging contest includes eight classes of cattle and at least two sets of oral reasons.

Placing in these contests for southwest Iowa were:

Cattlemen's quiz – junior division – ninth – Sammi Long and 13th – Tyler Loudon

Intermediate division – sixth – Cody Long

Public speaking – intermediate division – 17th – Cody Long

Sales talk – junior division – fourth – Tyler Loudon and 11th – Sammi Long

Intermediate division – fourth – Cody Long

Judging contest – junior division – second – Tyler Loudon, fourth – Sammi Long, and seventh – Brynn Nickle

Overall winners – junior division – third overall – Tyler Loudon and seventh overall – Sammi Long

Intermediate division – ninth overall – Cody Long.