Minnesota Beef Expo Brings Together Midwest Cattle, Youth & Producers

ST. PAUL, MINN. (10/06/2016)(readMedia)-- Minnesota Beef Expo, an annual event that celebrates and promotes the beef industry, runs Thursday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The event, which attracts participants from across the Midwest, includes educational workshops, youth contests, cattle sales, junior shows and a trade show. Admission is free and open to the public. The 2016 schedule of featured Minnesota Beef Expo events is as follows:

Thursday, Oct. 20

• Noon: Youth Knowledge Bowl

Four-member teams participate in a quiz bowl competition that tests their knowledge of cattle and the beef industry.

• 2:30 p.m.: Sullivan Supply Stock Show University Seminar

Fitting professors from Sullivan Supply will lead an in-depth session on hair care and fitting. Sessions never end until the last question is answered and youth will leave much more confident in preparing their cattle for the show.

• 4:30 p.m.: Ideas & Insights Symposium with special guests The Peterson Farm Brothers

Beef industry experts offer an educational discussion geared toward youth on cattle breeding, selection, feeding, reproduction and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). All ages are welcome to attend. At the conclusion of the educational symposium, Peterson Farm Brothers will lead an agriculture advocacy discussion. These three brothers have swept the nation with their internet video agriculture parodies such as "I'm Farming and I Grow It" and have inspired a spirited ag advocacy movement.

Friday, Oct. 21

• 9:30 a.m.: Judging Contest

Competitors in four age groups compete individually or in teams to evaluate breeding heifers, market steers and prospect calves.

• 12:30 p.m.: Sullivan Supply Fitting Contest

Youth ages 7-21 compete in teams within a time limit to groom and fit an animal in preparation for the show ring.

• 3 p.m.: Junior Showmanship Competition

Youth exhibitors compete in a showmanship contest and are judged on their animal handling skills and cattle knowledge.

• 7 p.m.: White Satin on Ice Elite Genetics Sale

Highlighting the best of the beef industry, seedstock producers sell their top genetics at this formal event.

Saturday, Oct. 22

• 8 a.m.: Sale Cattle Show

Sale animals are evaluated by judges and potential buyers before the cattle sale begins at noon.

• 9 a.m.: 2016 Minnesota Beef Ambassador Team Competition

The Minnesota Beef Ambassador program provides an opportunity for youth to educate consumers and students about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices of beef producers. The Minnesota Beef Ambassador Team will consist of the Senior Minnesota Beef Ambassador Winner and two team members, and a Junior Beef Ambassador. They will promote beef and agriculture as they develop skills of leadership, communication and self-confidence. The program highlights the positive impact beef production has on our health, economy and environment.

• 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: "Artist In You" Class with Michelle Weber Custom Painting

Popular livestock artist Michelle Weber will host a fun and interactive class on basic painting techniques. This class is open to all age groups and skill levels, but attendees must pre-register.

• Noon: Supreme Row Cattle Sale

Breeding heifers and prospect show steers are sold at the Upper Midwest's premier cattle sale.

• Noon: Midwest British White Park Select Sale

This is the second year that this sale will take place during the Expo. British White Park are a rare cattle breed that date back to the Romans.

• 4:30 p.m.: 14th Annual Supreme Row Dinner & Awards

The 14th Annual Supreme Row Selection Event & Dinner highlights all of the successful breeders from Saturday's cattle sale. Supreme and Reserve Champion animals are selected from the breed sale champions, and a total of $6,750 in prize money will be awarded to the buyers and sellers. Additionally, heifers are awarded to 11 Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program (MYBEP) youth to help them get a start in the beef cattle business. Awards will also be given to the 2015 MYBEP? Achievement Award winner and the 2016 Minnesota Beef Ambassador Teams will be recognized. The Market Beef Show will kick off the event at 4:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 23

• 8 a.m.: Prospect Market Calf Show and Junior Breeding Heifer Show

Youth ages 7-21 show more than 800 animals in competition and are awarded plaques, ribbons and more than $10,000 in premiums.

• 3:30 p.m.: Selection of Heifer Supreme and Premier Exhibitor Awards

The supreme heifer champion will be selected from the breed champions. The Premier Exhibitor Awards will highlight youth who actively participated in Beef Expo's educational events and youth contests, and excelled in the show ring. Prizes will be awarded to the top five youth exhibitors.

Throughout the event, the Upper Midwest's best breeders showcase Angus, British White Park, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Shorthorn, Simmental and South Devon breeds, as well as commercial heifers and club calves. This year's featured breed is the Simmental showcased by the Minnesota Simmental Association. Simmental is the proven choice for adaptability, docility, maternal traits, high carcass quality and increased yields. The Minnesota Simmental Association is a group of progressive breeders dedicated to promote the breed through the production of Simmental and Simgenetics cattle with improved profitability. They also are focused on supporting the junior Simmental members through the extremely active Minnesota Junior Simmental Association (MJSA) who have enjoyed success at the state, regional and national competitions.

The annual event is coordinated and funded by the Minnesota State Fair with financial support from leading beef industry organizations as a way to promote youth involvement in animal agriculture.

For a complete schedule and more information on Minnesota Beef Expo, call (651) 643-6476, email beef.expo@mnstatefair.org or visit mnbeefexpo.com.

-MSF-