Young Cattle Producers Shine in Breeding, Market Beef Shows at 2025 Winneshiek County Fair

Your financial contribution empowers watchdog reporting that protects and informs us all. DECORAH — The energy was high in the show ring Friday morning, July 11, as months of hard work and early mornings paid off for 4-H and FFA members competing in the 2025 Winneshiek County Fair's Breeding and Market Beef Shows. With the bleachers full, each youth (and their mooing entries!) were backed by supportive families, mentors and years of tradition and breeding. Dodd, Massman, Dahl Lead the Breeding Show For Jerikah Dodd, the morning brought a legacy win. Her Angus heifer (Entry #1874) not only topped her breed division but also stood out among all entries to earn the title of Supreme Champion Breeding Beef Female. Brooks Dodd, followed closely behind with the Reserve Champion Angus Heifer (Entry #1866), making it a banner day for the Dodd name. Other familiar names made their mark as well. Kylah Massman, already known for strong showings in past years, captured Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer with Entry #1740 and was later selected as Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Beef Female—an honor reserved for the top-tier cattle on the fairgrounds. Across the breed categories, competition was tight:Natalie Holthaus earned top honors in the All Other Breeds Heifer division (Entry #1814), with Kayden Schnuelle (Entry #1913) claiming reserve. Brinley and Colton Linderbaum went head-to-head in the Shorthorn Heifer division, with Brinley narrowly beating Colton for the title of champion. Kashton Headington (Entry #1686) led the Commercial Heifer class, while Blake Kuennen not only earned reserve there but also captured Champion Bred and Owned Heifer honors. Cow/calf pairings brought a multigenerational feel to the arena, as young exhibitors paraded cow families bred and raised at home. Notably, Jeramiah Rediske swept both the Mature Cow/Calf Pair and Bred and Owned Cow/Calf Pair divisions. Tylar Wenthold, Kamryn Werges, Madelynn Dahl, and McCoy McConnell also placed at the top of a variety of categories. Market Beef: Schmelzer and Dahl Leave With Top Placements In the Market Beef Show, it was Annika Schmelzer who stole the spotlight early. Her dairy steer (Entry #1767) not only earned the title of Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer, but also posted the highest average daily gain of the division—an impressive 4.52 pounds per day, evidence of her day-in and day-out commitment. Brinley Lechtenberg followed with the Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Steer (Entry #2010). Schmelzer's efforts were backed by her breeder, David Schmelzer, who received recognition for producing the highest gaining market dairy steer. Similarly, Marian Elsbernd was honored as the exhibitor of the highest placing dairy steer of local origin, with Jay Elsbernd named the breeder. In the Market Heifer category, Madelynn Dahl (Entry #381) once again found herself in the winner's circle as Grand Champion, while Brooks Courtney followed with Reserve. Ellie Brincks showed off top performance numbers as well, as her heifer recorded the highest daily gain of 3.52 pounds. Brincks' breeder, Michael Brincks, received the corresponding breeder award. A three-way tie in the "Highest Placing Market Heifer of Local Origin" category showed just how tight the competition was. Jayden Timp, Ellie Brincks, and Jason Oyloe shared the honor, along with their breeders Theresa Hanson, Michael Brincks and Gayge Samuelson. Rate of Gain The Beef Rate of Gain contest brought a science-meets-showmanship edge to the event, rewarding exhibitors for efficiency and daily growth. In the Market Dairy Steers, Schmelzer once again topped the list, followed by Brinley Lechtenberg and Henry Willey, with daily gains all above 3.9 pounds. In the Market Beef Steer division, Emily Hovden led with a remarkable 4.27 pounds gained per day, just edging out Colton Linderbaum and Jaden Brincks. Among the Market Heifers, Ellie Brincks again led the pack, followed by Dahl, Paxton Brincks, and Kaden Linderbaum. Knowledge is power! Stay empowered by subscribing to the free newsletter, packed with valuable insights, stories of local newsmakers and ideas to get your weekend started.