Gensini exhibits grand champion steer at Illinois Beef Expo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Ten breed champions vied for the Grand Champion Market Animal title at the 2022 Illinois Beef Expo. Kade Gensini of Hennepin led his Champion Crossbred Steer to the banner in both rings.

A total of 194 market animals were exhibited in the junior steer 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 Miles Shout, Yukon, Oklahoma, evaluated the entries in Ring A, and judge Zack Butler, Milton, Tennessee, evaluated Ring B.

Shout selected Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer shown by George Sinclair, Williamsburg, Iowa, as Reserve Grand Champion Steer in Ring A. Third Overall Steer was the Third Overall Crossbred Steer shown by Adam Miller, Gridley.

Jaxon Baudino, Mazon, exhibited his Champion Maine Steer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Steer was the Champion AOB shown by Nalaney Guyer, Robinson.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Steer title in Ring A:

• Champion Angus Steer exhibited by Cole Caldwell, Elmwood.

• Champion Chianina Steer exhibited by Kashen Ellerbrock, Atkinson.

• Champion Hereford Steer exhibited by Alex Barnard, Foosland.

• Champion Shorthorn Steer exhibited by Amber Lee, Durand.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer exhibited by Jess Hawk, Earlville.

• Champion Simmental Steer exhibited by John Lukach, Streator.

• Champion Market Heifer exhibited by Beckett Winegardner, Lima, Ohio.

Butler selected Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer shown by Adam Miller, Gridley, as Reserve Grand Champion Steer in Ring B. Third Overall Steer was Champion AOB Steer shown by Nalaney Guyer, Robinson.

Keegan Murphy, Seneca, exhibited his Third Overall Crossbred Steer for Fourth Overall Steer. Fifth Overall Steer was the Chianina Steer shown by Kashen Ellerbrock, Atkinson.

Also competing for the Grand Champion Steer title in Ring B:

• Champion Angus Steer exhibited by Cole Caldwell, Elmwood.

• Champion Hereford Steer exhibited by Alex Barnard, Foosland.

• Champion Maine Steer exhibited by Abby Clapp, LeRoy.

• Champion Shorthorn Steer exhibited by Josie Wiggim, Princeton.

• Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer exhibited by Jess Hawk, Earlville.

• Champion Simmental Steer exhibited by John Lukach, Streator.

• Champion Market Heifer exhibited by Paige Lemenager, Hudson.

The title sponsors of the 2022 Illinois Beef Expo included Compeer Financial, Earlybird Nutrition, Show-Rite, Stephens Trailer Sales, Travs Ova Genetics and Western Illinois University.

In addition, Elanco and Unbarger Show Feeds were platinum sponsors of the event, while Bar QH Simmentals, Bloomberg Cattle, Dearwester Grain Services, Farm Credit of Illinois, Interglobe Sire Service, Keller Veterinary Service, Kent Feeds, SC Online Sales and Zoetis served as gold sponsors.

Silver sponsors included Four Corners Farms, United Producers Inc., Hopedale Agri-Center Inc., Agri-King, Maurer-Stutz, Head Brothers, ADM, Huber Farms Show Cattle and Vytelle at Timbercrest.