Contact: Meghan Pusey, 303-850-3340 or mpusey@beef.org

First-Annual NCBA Youth Contest Winners Announced

PHOENIX (Feb. 5, 2009) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announces the winners of the first-annual youth contests, held during the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 28-31. The programs, for young people ages nine to young adult, are focused on education, leadership and teamwork. NCBA Youth contests included Team Marketing, Beef Quiz Bowl, Prepared Public Speaking and Cattle Judging.

The Team Marketing contest had seven teams compete with 19 total contestants.  The senior team winner’s were from the Florida Cattlemen’s Association: Phillip Horvath, Tara Harrison, Victoria Horvath, and the collegiate team winners were from Colorado State University: Cheyenne Dixon, Alicia Miller, Jolynn Sakugawa. The purpose of the Team Marketing Contest is to encourage teamwork while promoting development of communication skills, marketing techniques and an understanding of cattle performance information.

The Beef Quiz Bowl, which offers opportunities to demonstrate knowledge related to the cattle industry, had four teams competing. The first-place team represented the Florida Cattlemen’s Association: Cody Corson, Thomas Richmond, J.K. Yarborough, and Brittany Warren.

The Prepared Public Speaking contest stimulates interest in leadership through presentation skills. Fifteen contestants competed in three age groups: Under 10, 11-14 and 15-19. The winners were: Justis Marshall, Burlington, Colo. (10 and under), Steven Bigelow, Duncan, Ariz. (11-14), and Kaitlyn Gill, Lithia, Fla. (15-19).

The Cattle Judging contest included a Novice Division (under age 9 or, if it's their first judging contest, under age 11); Junior Division (ages 9-14); Senior Division (ages 14 to 19); and College Division. A total of 60 contestants competed in the four categories. The winners were:

Collegiate - 10 contestants

1^st High Team Overall - Colorado State University: Dominic DiSanti, JW Wood, Mandy Meyers, Elizabeth McManus, Aaric Sieke

1^st High Individual Overall – Dominic DiSanti from Colorado State University

Senior - 35 contestants

1^st High Team Overall - North American South Devon team: Cody Doubet, Curtis Doubet, Lane Giess, Laddy Trehal

1^st High Individual Overall – Curtis Doubet, North American South Devon

Junior - 8 contestants (judged as individuals, no teams)

1^st High Individual Overall: Ty Gatlin, Reserve, N.M.

Novice - 7 contestants (judged as individuals, no teams)

1^st High Individual Overall - Jake Edleman, Willow Lake, S.D.

The youth contests were coordinated by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and exclusively sponsored by a grant from The Farm Credit System Foundation.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America's cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education, public policy and beef research and marketing. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create profit opportunities for producers and increase demand for beef.

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