Morning Ag Clips logo
  • Subscribe ❯
  • PORTAL ❯
  • LOGIN ❯
  • By Keyword
  • By topic
  • By state
  • Home
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Store
  • Advertise
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Subscribe to our
    daily email
    ❯
  • Portal Registration❯
  • Login❯
  • policy
  • tractors & machinery
  • education
  • conservation
  • webinars
  • business
  • dairy
  • cattle
  • poultry
  • swine
  • corn
  • soybeans
  • organic
  • specialty crops
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Morning Ag Clips

  • By Keyword
  • By topic
  • By state
  • policy
  • tractors & machinery
  • education
  • conservation
  • webinars
  • business
  • dairy
  • cattle
  • poultry
  • swine
  • corn
  • soybeans
  • organic
  • specialty crops
  • Home
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Store
  • Advertise
Home » State’s largest farm organization helps next generation build up their herd
goats sheep youth in agriculture
YOUTH IN AG ...

State’s largest farm organization helps next generation build up their herd

SDFU's Herd Builder program helps youth get started in the livestock industry

PUBLISHED ON October 18, 2021

Reva Barnes, Lemmon and Swayze Ness, Kimball are the 2021 recipients of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder breeding heifers. Selected by a panel of judges, the youth received the breeding heifers during the 2021 Western Jr. Livestock Show. Pictured here: David Reis, SD Farmers Union board member; Karla Hofhenke, SD Farmers Union Executive Director; Reva Barnes; Swayze Ness; Dawn Cable, Kimball cattle producer and Rocky Forman, SD Farmers Union Membership Coordinator. (Courtesy Photo)

HURON, S.D. — When she was 7, Swayze Ness’ dad, LeRoy, offered to sell she and her siblings each a bred heifer for $20.

“We were standing out in the pasture. I instantly wanted three. My brother wanted a red one and my sister didn’t want to hand over the $20,” Ness recalls.

The Kimball rancher has been building up her herd ever since. At 17 she now has 10 cows.

“I like being part of the entire process,” Ness says. “I like selecting the genetics, watching the calves being born and seeing them grow and develop into something really good and produce calves of their own.”

Ness’ herd genetics got a boost during the 2021 Western Jr. Livestock Show, when judges selected her as a winner of the South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder heifer. “She’s got really good genetics. I can’t wait to start using her to improve my herd.”

Helping youth get a start in the livestock industry is the reason South Dakota Farmers Union launched the Herd Builder program in 2019, explains Executive Director Karla Hofhenke.

“It is so challenging for young people to get a start in agriculture. Farmers Union thought a good way to support the next generation was to give a quality breeding heifer to a youth whose goal it is to remain involved in South Dakota’s livestock industry.”

Ness was one of two youth to win a breeding heifer. Purchased from a reputable South Dakota cattle producer, Farmers Union selected the heifers based on their maternal genetic traits. “This heifer was selected for breeding purposes. We anticipate the youth will also show them because they look pretty good in the show ring, but these are not club calves – they are quality breeding stock,” Hofhenke explains.

10-year-old Reva Barnes does plan to show, Fancy, the name she gave to the Farmers Union heifer she won. “She will be the third heifer I have shown. I like going out into the show ring with them with a smile on my face.”

Last year, Barnes showed two heifers, Black Widow and Poison Ivy – named after superheroes. However, after the show season, when the heifers were turned out onto the open range with the rest of the family’s herd, Black Widow ended up causing problems. “So, my dad told me, “Next time, name your cows nice names.” This year, I’m naming them after songs.’”

Barnes’ mom, Dottie, encouraged her daughters to apply for the Farmers Union Herd Builder because she knew the family would be showing at Western Jr. Applicants must be present to receive the animal and participate in the shows. Showing livestock in 4-H is a family tradition the fourth-generation rancher is happy to see her children continue.

“It is gratifying to see the next generation want to be part of a hands-on group of people who are working the land,” says Dottie, who raises cattle with her husband, Michael, on her family’s ranch near Lemmon. “Seeing Reva win this heifer is a really big honor. It is exciting that she can have a heifer to help build her herd.”

Showing the Farmers Union heifer is not a requirement. The fact that the Herd Builder program is designed to do just that – build up the genetics for the next generation of livestock producers is something Western Jr. Livestock Show manager, Jackie Maude appreciates.

It is so hard for kids to get started in the ag industry. This program gives those kids who want to stay in the livestock industry a leg up,” explains the Hermosa rancher. The show’s manager for 17 years, Maude has been actively involved in Western Jr. since her childhood. In fact, Western Jr. is where she met her husband, Marion

2021 is the first year Farmers Union gave two heifers away. “When the judging was complete, we had a tie. So, I asked the kids if they wanted to do rock-paper-scissors or pick a number to see who would get the heifer. You should have seen their faces and heard the crowd when I suggested a third option, that we give a heifer to each of them,” Hofhenke recalls.

In 2022, Farmers Union will give away three heifers and three breeding lambs. In addition to the Herd Builder program, South Dakota Farmers Union also sponsors a home-cooked meal for the participants and their families. The meal is prepared by a Polo, South Dakota cattle producer and caterer, Cheryl Schaefers Cheryl’s Catering.

“We are a family farmer and rancher organization. So, we like to be involved in events, like Western Jr., where we can provide support and encouragement to our state’s family farmers and ranchers,” Hofhenke explains.

To learn more about how South Dakota Farmers Union supports the state’s farm and ranch families, visit www.sdfu.org.

— SDFU

For more S.D. news, click here.

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Six farm & ranch youth win breeding stock through Farmers Union herd builder program
October 19, 2022

HURON, S.D. — Pre-veterinary student Madison Hofer is eager to apply the skills she’s learning in classes at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to the breeding ewe she just won from South Dakota Farmers Union. “This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to raise my own sheep,” explained Hofer who grew up on […]

The Big E returns for 17 good timin’ days! Sept. 16 - Oct. 2, 2022
September 08, 2022

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Big E is back and better than ever! With more food, fun, music and must-see attractions, you won’t want to miss a thing! Here is the most up-to-date information on this year’s Fair. Please note: All information is subject to change. Entertainment: From major headliners with chart-topping hits, to up […]

OCA BEST
Cattlemen youth awarded at BEST banquet
May 11, 2022

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program wrapped up the 2021-2022 BEST season on May 7 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. More than 800 BEST exhibitors and families gathered to watch youth receive awards for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, photography skills, community service efforts and […]

SW Missouri Show Me Select Replacement Heifer Program sale set for May 20th
April 26, 2022

STOCKTON, Mo. — “The Missouri Show Me Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program educates cattle producers on heifer development strategies in the areas of management, reproduction and genetics to create a reliable source of quality replacement heifers,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist.  Throughout the year a portion of the heifers developed through this […]

Cattlemen youth celebrate BEST season
May 12, 2021

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Awards and prizes filled the stage as families gathered to commemorate an unusual year at the annual Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) awards banquet held on May 1 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus. Over 350 BEST exhibitors were awarded for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, […]

Spread the word

Browse More Clips

Forum on impact of tax proposals on ag

Stocker value focus shifting

Primary Sidebar

MORE

SOUTH DAKOTA CLIPS

The Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act
February 2, 2023
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association
Equity annual district meeting dates set
February 2, 2023
cattle on feed
CattleFax forecasts producer profitability in 2023
February 2, 2023
Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service announce 2023 grazing fees
February 2, 2023
2022 Heritage Breed Microgrants awarded
February 2, 2023
  • Trending
  • Latest

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Outstanding Young Farmer
Weaver wins Outstanding Young Farmer award
February 2, 2023
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association
Equity annual district meeting dates set
February 2, 2023
United Producers
United Producers Inc. scholarship application open
February 2, 2023
Tennessee Tech hosts events to promote agricultural education
February 2, 2023
NDSU Saddle and Sirloin to host 97th Little International Feb. 10-11
February 2, 2023

Footer

MORNING AG CLIPS

  • Contact Us
  • Sponsors
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service

CONNECT WITH US

  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

TRACK YOUR TRADE

  • Markets & Economy
  • Cattle Updates
  • Dairy News
  • Policy & Politics
  • Corn Alerts

QUICK LINKS

  • Account
  • Portal Membership
  • Just Me, Kate
  • Farmhouse Communication

Get the MAC App Today!

Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store

© 2023 Morning Ag Clips, LLC. All Rights Reserved.