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Farmers Union Herd Builder Awards Five Youth Breeding Stock During 2024 Western Jr. Livestock Show
By Lura Roti
Five South Dakota youth exhibiting at the 2024 Western Jr. Livestock Show in Rapid City went home with more than ribbons and buckles this year. Winners of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Award won breeding heifers and ewes.
“Building up a livestock herd takes time because of the costs associated. This award is designed to help the next generation of South Dakota family farmers and ranchers,” explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union.
Only youth involved in Western Junior qualify and the winners are selected by a panel of judges based on an application. The five winners are Oakleigh Reis-Elwood, Reliance; Trace Urban, Pukwana; Rylan Fagerhaug, Wessington Springs; Brooke Lamont, Union Center and Evelyn Bunker, Reliance.
Pukwana cattle producer Ryan Urban appreciates the support from the state’s largest agriculture organization. His 13-year-old son, Trace is among the winners of this year’s award. “Farmers Union’s support of rural South Dakota is second to none,” Urban said. “The ag world is tough to get started in, the capital it takes, let alone having the opportunities to get started, so for a young producer getting started, this helps them get a leg up.”
Urban began showing at Western Jr. when he was 8 and today, he and his wife, Samantha, enjoy bringing their four sons, Trace, Huntley, Rhett and Briggs, to show at one of the state’s oldest and most prestigious livestock shows.
In addition to showing livestock, Trace competes in livestock judging, Ryan is his coach. Their Brule County Junior Team placed first in the Junior Division this year.
Meet the winners
Oakleigh Reis-Elwood of Reliance won a breeding heifer. She exhibited quite a few animals during Western Jr.: Futurity breeding heifer, feeder steer, junior heifer, market swine, dairy cattle, dairy goats, boer goat and sheep.
When asked the reason she is grateful she won, Reis Elwood had this to say, “I have always loved working on my family’s ranch and I know this breeding heifer will help me in the future as I continue to build my herd.”
Trace Urban of Pukwana won a breeding heifer. In addition to competing on the winning Junior Livestock Judging Team, Urban exhibited futurity market steer, chi breeding heifer, and a foundation Simmental breeding heifer during Western Jr.
When asked why he is grateful he won, Urban had this to say, “Cattle are so expensive right now that this heifer helps me start my own herd.”
Brooke Lamont of Union Center won a breeding ewe. She exhibited a ram lamb, ewe lamb and a yearling ewe during Western Jr.
When asked why she is grateful she won, Lamont had this to say, “This ewe helps grow my flock, which in turn not only helps me, but can inspire other young livestock owners to grow their own herd or flock.”
Rylan Fagerhaug of Wessington Springs won a breeding ewe. He exhibited a bull calf during Western Jr.
A third-generation sheep producer, Fagerhaug had this to say when asked why he is grateful he won the ewe, “I plan to add this ewe to my current flock and I hope to get some good lambs out of her.”
Evelyn Bunker of Reliance won a breeding ewe. She exhibited a market wether during Western Jr.
When asked why she is grateful she won, Bunker had this to say, “Sheep are my favorite animals to show and I am excited to start a flock of sheep now that I won this ewe.”