“The cattle industry is not only about genetics or performance but about people who care deeply about preserving tradition, improving beef cattle and helping one another succeed,” explains Tar Tut, from Bells, Texas.
Tut was one of 44 young cattle producers from around the world who competed in the Young Breeders Competition, hosted in conjunction with the World Hereford Conference (WHC), hosted in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 19-25.
“There are moments in life that are hard to put into words, and representing Team USA Red at the 2025 World Hereford Conference is one of them,” Tut says. “I have been part of plenty of shows, contests and events over the years, but nothing compared to standing shoulder to shoulder with breeders from across the globe, all connected by one shared passion for Hereford cattle.”
Much of the YBC was hosted at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., before traveling to Kansas City for the WHC and remaining competition, which concluded with a team fitting and showmanship contest at the American Royal.
“Getting to meet the different teams from the around the world was without question one biggest highlights of the whole competition,” says Jacob Johnson, a member of the USA Blue Team from Ruth, Miss. “They were incredible people to get to know.”
Johnson earned the grand champion individual title.
Fellow Blue Team member Trevor Johson from Centerville, S.D., add:, “The competition was a world-class event, and though it was challenging and intense, it was so rewarding to compete amongst the globe’s most talented young Hereford enthusiasts. The contest was also incredibly thought-provoking and stimulating. This exposure provided me better insight to global production practices, what drives value in the beef supply chain around the world and how we as the next generation of Hereford breeders may work together to ensure our breed and our industry’s future.”
Participating countries select their YBC teams, which are comprised of four members, ages 18 to 26. This year’s competition features 11 teams from seven countries, including two from the U.S.
“Competing in the Young Breeders Contest during the World Hereford Conference was absolutely an eye-opening experience for me,” says Logan Topp, a member of the USA Blue Team from Grace City, N.D. “To be able to connect with breeders from across the world, compete against some of the most progressive cattlemen my age and learn along the way was an absolute blessing. The competition was challenging to say the least, but to see the amount of skill and knowledge presented across the board no matter the country really makes me feel good about the next generation of Hereford breeders. They are truly some of the most forward-thinking people I have ever met.”
As the scores were tallied, the two teams from the U.S. took the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors.
“There’s no words to truly describe the honor of competing on a young breeders team and just the feeling of being surrounded by elite breeders from across the world,” says Ralston Braden, a member of the USA Red Team from Kearney, Neb. “It was wonderful to learn how young breeders from across the globe are selecting genetics, running cattle from a herd health management and marketing standpoint, and how they are progressing our breed in the beef industry as a whole.”
The Contest
“Growing up competing in a variety of different competitive youth events, I have been challenged in many different ways, but the Young Breeders Competition took that to a whole new level of toughness and challenge for all the contests we participated in,” says Blake Bruns, a member of the USA Blue Team from North Platte, Neb.
The competition included six sections.
- Industry Practicums and Hereford Bowl: This module included three parts — Herd Health and Animal Handling, Cattle Scoring Practicum and Nutrition Challenge, plus the results of the Hereford Bowl (quiz bowl).
- Meat Animal Evaluation
- Livestock Judging Competition
- Communications Challenge: Teams were asked to work together on a presentation about Hereford genetics and the beef industry
- Team Fitting Contest
- Showmanship Contest
“Each competition tested a different skill set, from technical knowledge and reasoning ability to teamwork, composure and attention to detail,” explains Tut, who was a member of the USA Red Team.
“One of the contests we had to do was a communication challenge, where we had to describe four bulls and tell how they would be used in operations within our respective counties,” Johnson adds. “It was awesome getting to listen to the different teams and how they would utilize the bulls within their counties.”
Much More than Banners and Buckles
“I believe we quickly learned just how important it was to be able to network and talk with all the producers and young breeders from across the world. I confidently would say that was by far the most rewarding part of the whole trip,” says Dylan Kottkamp, a member of the USA red team from Clayton, Ind. “Other than Canada, the way we raise cattle in America is night and day compared to many places across the globe. Learning and seeing how other countries operate, what they have to breed for, and why their cattle look the way they do created many educational conversations and grew an appreciation amongst everyone as a whole. It was a lot of fun to compare and grow together as producers.”
Kottkamp won the showmanship division as was reserve overall individual in the competition.
“Getting to tour operations and visit with people from the U.S. as well as all across the globe was an experience second to none,” says JW Cox, a member of the USA Red Team from Flemingsburg, Ky. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to compete, learn and connect.”
“I came home with a full heart, lifelong friendships and a deeper appreciation for what it means to be part of the Hereford family,” Tut says. “The Young Breeders Competition was not just a contest; it was a reminder of why we do what we do and who we get to do it with. This experience reignited my passion for the Hereford breed and the people behind it. I left feeling proud, humbled and more motivated than ever to keep growing both as a cattleman and as a person.”
