Three Greenwood County youth ventured to the Vita-Ferm
Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live from Louisville,” held July 14 in Louisville, Ky., where they claimed national honors.
Brody, Bradyn and Laynee Greenwood, of Hamilton, were all members of the Kansas teams that claimed National honors in the judging contest in their divisions. As an individual, L. Greenwood was second overall in the Peewee Division. Other members of the Kansas National Peewee Judging Team were Ryne Sandberg, Agenda; Roland Sandberg, Agenda; and Caroline Studer, Frankfort. Placing second as a team was Kentucky. In the junior division, Mason Mullinix of Manhattan claimed championship honors leading the team of Brody and Bradyn Greenwood and Kinzley Evans of Fredonia to first place championship honors. Oklahoma was second and Nebraska was third.
The senior division was also claimed by the Kansas team, which was comprised of Cady Pieper, Zurich; Delaney Figge, Onaga; Dagan Murray, Auburn; and Cally Miller, El Dorado.
The National Junior Hereford Association board, along with the American Hereford Association (AHA) field staff, helped facilitate the livestock judging contest, sponsored by Central Life Sciences. More than 330 young people gathered in Broadbent Arena to showcase their skills. Contestants judged classes of cattle and answered questions, putting their knowledge and decision-making to the test in a competitive yet educational environment.
The event promoted critical thinking and emphasized the importance of sound livestock selection practices in the beef industry.
Additionally, the oral reasons contest was added to the competition this year. Senior participants could hone their public speaking skills by offering reasons on their class placings. Following the members’ time on the mic, the top-three placings were announced. Taking first place was Alisha Klemme, Plymouth, Wis.; second place, Jalyn Davis, Maple Hill and third, Fallon Gohr, Madras, Ore.
Hereford Bowl Contest NJHA members also tested their Hereford breed and beef industry knowledge in the Hereford bowl during the 2025 VitaFerm JNHE “Live from Louisville,” contest.
They begin with a 50-question written test and skillathon including feed sample identification. The top four teams from the written round advance to the buzzer bowl round and compete for the champion title.
The senior high individual in the written test was Allyson Hamilton, Atlanta, Texas. Aubrey Lockhart, Somerville, Texas was named the high individual in the junior division of the written test.
The winning team in the junior division was Kansas. Taking reserve champion honors was the team from Michigan. In the senior division, the winning team was Texas, and the reserve champion was Illinois.
The Hereford bowl promotes sportsmanship and a strong commitment to learning about the beef industry and the Hereford breed. It offers a valuable educational experience for participants and spectators.
The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) upholds their educational pillar by supporting the educational contests and events onsite at the JNHE. These programs provide Hereford youth with the opportunity to develop valuable skills that prepare them to become knowledgeable, self-driven leaders in today’s world, all while competing outside of the showring and connecting with fellow NJHA members.
The Greenwoods are the children of Brandon and Lyndse Greenwood of Hamilton. AboutVitaFerm JNHE The 2025 VitaFermJunior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live from Louisville,” is sponsored in part by BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo., and their brands VitaFerm and Sure Champ. The JNHE provides educational and leadership opportunities for junior members and their cattle projects, along with plenty of events for the entire family. The National Junior Hereford Association is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,200 members. For more information about the JNHE, visit Hereford.org/youth.
