BRANDON, Minn. — Twins Megan and Katie Boesl from Brandon have been part of the West Central Minnesota Junior. Livestock Show since its inception four years ago.
The show, scheduled July 25 at the West Otter Tail County fairgrounds in Fergus Falls, is one of the show season’s first events and offers good experience for exhibitors.
"It’s good practice before you get to the county and state fair," said Katie. "And the people there are amazing. It’s a good show."
Camaraderie exists among exhibitors, Megan said. If someone has a fitting question or needs help, the exhibitors and their families pitch in to assist.
The twins' foray into beef started with dairy. Their father, Jeff, his four brothers and his father operate Boesl Dairy near Miltona. They milk 350 cows in a double-10 parlor.
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Jeff and his wife, Julie, care for the dairy’s steers and have a small Simmental herd.
"That’s how they got started showing," Julie said. "The dairy steers were part of the dairy farm and then we branched off in the beef."
They started with crossbreds and now focus on Simmentals in their genetics. Both Megan and Katie are members of the American Simmental Association.
They were thrilled as young 4-H members when they won a trip to the Minnesota State Fair. Near their county’s stall in the beef barn they saw Danny Kohls of Litchfield working with cattle and talking to exhibitors.
"That was the way we wanted to do it, too," Megan said. "It was a family event."
Kohls helped the Boesls learn more about fitting and showing and sold them their first beef heifers.
"He taught us all we know," Katie said. "I’ve told him he should really write a book."
At 18, they are teaching other young beef exhibitors about fitting and showing.
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The two will be part of the West Central Minnesota Junior Livestock Show. In addition to the market and breeding cattle classes, the twins are excited to take part in the show’s cow/calf class. The show is one of a few beef events that offer the division.
It is open to anyone 21-years-old or younger as of Jan. 1, 2010, said show organizer Gary Eckley.
Breeding and market beef and market lambs make up the show.
The youngest breeding beef class is fall calves born between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2009. Summer yearlings are born between May 1 and Aug, 31, 2009 and late junior yearlings from March 1 to April 30. Early Junior yearlings are born between Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2009. Senior yearlings are born between Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2008. The cow/calf class is one class and is open to all breeds.
Market lambs are also one class born after Jan. 1, 2010.
The show also features a cow/calf class, Katie said.
No TB tests are required, Eckley said. Registration costs are $20 per animal for beef and $10 per animal for lambs.
The show starts with registration from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Weigh-in for market animals takes place form 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by the market lambs at 10:30 a.m. and the beef show at 12:30 p.m.
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Advance registration is encouraged.
A draw for the event is the awards. The beef supreme champion female entry and beef supreme champion market animal will each receive $500. Reserve champions will be awarded $250 and $50 will be given to all class winners. The market lamb show will be a jackpot event.
For more information or to register, contact Gary Eckley at (218) 731-2214 or e-mail him at wcmjls@yahoo.com.
