Guyer and Gensini exhibit Grand Champion Heifer at 2021 Illinois Beef Expo

PEORIA, Ill. — Thirteen breed champions vied for the Grand Champion Heifer title at the 2021 Illinois Beef Expo in Peoria.

Ashtin Guyer, Robinson, led her Champion Angus Heifer to the banner in Ring A. McKlay Gensini, Hennepin, led her Champion AOB Heifer to the banner in Ring B. A total of 390 head were exhibited in the junior heifer show.

There was a two-ring show format to allow exhibitors to show cattle twice in one weekend. Ring A was open to both in-state and out-of-state exhibitors, while Ring B was only open to in-state exhibitors.

Judge DeClerk, College Station, Texas, evaluated the entries in Ring A, and Judge Shane Meier, Stonewall, Texas, evaluated Ring B.

DeClerk selected Champion AOB Heifer by McKlay Gensini, Hennepin, as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring A. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Simmental Heifer shown by Millie Lashmett, Winchester.

Charlee Jones, Gridley, exhibited her Reserve Champion AOB Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Champion Polled Hereford Heifer shown by Paige Lemenager, Hudson.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Heifer title in Ring A were:

• Champion Chianina Heifer exhibited by Trace Titus, Alexis.

• Champion Horned Hereford Heifer exhibited by Ella Bane, Towanda.

• Champion Limousin Heifer exhibited by Riley Smith, Macomb.

• Champion Mainetainer Heifer exhibited by Joshua Darbyshire, Morning Sun, Iowa.

• Champion Red Angus Heifer exhibited by Aubree Bauer-Hanold, Brighton.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer exhibited by Grace Rincker, Strasburg.

• Champion Shorthorn Heifer exhibited by Lauren Mohr, Carlock.

• Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer exhibited by Amelia Miller, Gridley.

• Champion Commercial Heifer exhibited by Paige Lemenager, Hudson.

Meier selected Champion Angus Heifer shown by Ashtin Guyer, Robinson, as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring B. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Chianina Heifer exhibited by William Miller, Gridley.

Nalaney Guyer, Robinson, exhibited her Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Reserve Champion AOB Heifer shown by Charlee Jones, Gridley.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Heifer title in Ring B were:

• Champion Horned Hereford Heifer exhibited by Ella Bane, Towanda.

• Champion Polled Hereford Heifer exhibited by Paige Lemenager, Hudson.

• Champion Limousin Heifer exhibited by Riley Smith, Macomb.

• Champion Mainetainer Heifer exhibited by Avery Seys, Coal Valley.

• Champion Red Angus Heifer exhibited by Paige Van Dyke, Louisville.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer exhibited by Carly Powell, St. Augustine.

• Champion Shorthorn Heifer exhibited by Alexa Tuner, Mahomet.

• Champion Simmental Heifer exhibited by Kendra Myers, Winchester.

• Champion Commercial Heifer exhibited by Amelia Miller, Gridley.

Platinum sponsors of the 2021 Illinois Beef Expo were Compeer Financial, Earlybird Nutrition, Show-Rite and Stephens Trailer Sales.

Gold sponsors were Bar QH Simmentals, Edge Animal Nutrition, Hopedale Agri Center, Illinois Farm Bureau, Midwest Genetics, SC Online Sales, Show Cattle Connection and Toenyes Livestock.