Flint Hills Beef Fest culminates Sunday, and organizers have been extremely pleased with this year’s rendition.
Organizer Deb Childears was glad to be back at the Lyon County Fairgrounds after last year’s public activities were canceled and the 2019 venue shifted to White Auditorium.
There was a healthy attendance for Saturday evening’s activities, including the steak feed and a dance featuring the music of Brickhorse and entertainment from Dueling Pianos.
The awards ceremony recognized the winners in the different cattle categories:
*Grass Futurity steers: DJ Edwards, Hamilton. Average weight gain 2.77 pounds per day
*Grandstand steers: RNL Farms — Ryan and Nicole Louia, LeRoy
*Grass Futurity heifers: Loomis Ranch-Jason and Justin Loomis, Council Grove. Average weight gain 2.335 pounds per day
*Grandstand heifers: Loomis Ranch — Jason and Justin Loomis, Council Grove
*Grand prize steers: Jim and Donna Bates, Galesburg
*Grand prize heifers: Jason and Justin Loomis, Council Grove
With last year’s awards ceremony among the activities canceled, organizers spent some time recognizing the 2020 cattle category winners:
*Grass Futurity steers: Arndt Farms, Emporia
*Grandstand steers: Ryan Louia and Parker Meats, LeRoy
*Feedlot gain, steers: Woodbury Farms, Quenemo
*Carcass, steers: Plum Creek Ranch, Neosho Rapids
*Overall gain, steers: Spring Creek Ranch, Cassoday
*Olma Peak Award: Arndt Farms, Emporia
*Grass Futurity heifers: Arndt Farms, Emporia
*Grandstand heifers: Wes Cahoone and Lee Glanville, Cottonwood Falls
*Average daily gain, heifers: Spring Creek Ranch, Cassoday
*Carcass, heifers: Loomis Ranch — Jason and Justin Loomis, Council Grove
*Pres White Award: Anderson Ranch, Alma
Earlier in the day, there were Barnyard Games, courtesy of the Emporia High FFA group, and the free hamburger feed — with the Beef Fest Committee providing the burgers and KVOE staff grilling them. KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas says the annual celebration of the tallgrass cattle industry highlights some deserving people.
Sunday’s schedule features the annual golf tournament at the Emporia Golf Course.
