Fat steers and heifers filled the pens at the Finney County Fairgrounds in the early morning hours of June 3, waiting to be evaluated by Merck Animal Health Live Show Judge Ryan Rathmann.
Rathmann is an associate professor in beef cattle biology in the department of animal sciences at Texas Tech University. He teaches courses in cow-calf management, animal breeding and genetics, and artificial insemination. His research focuses on cull cow reconditioning, confined and semi-confined cow-calf system management, and beef cow sustainability.
In addition to his teaching and research appointments, Rathmann is the all-time winningest coach in collegiate livestock judging history with nine national champion livestock judging teams. He’s also coached five national champion meat animal evaluation teams. He judges livestock shows extensively across the United States and abroad, sorting more than 400 shows in 40+ states.
According to organizers, some of the finest cattle in the Midwest took center stage at the 57th annual Merck Live Show. Following the live show, the public was invited to participate in the Public Pick 5 where each person selects five steers and five heifers he or she thinks will be the top animals in the Beef Empire Days Index during the carcass show. The total of the Beef Empire Days Index of their five steers will determine the winners. The top three winners of the men’s and women’s divisions were. The youth division winner also received an award.
The Carcass Show was held June 6 at Tyson Foods and the public was invited to view the steer and heifer carcasses entered in the Merck Live show. The Carcass Show judge was Blake Foraker and officials brought Foraker back for a second year. He’s an assistant professor at Texas Tech in the department of animal and food sciences. Foraker’s research and teaching specialization is in the area of meat science, and his research program primarily focuses upon innovative methods to more adequately assess composition of live cattle and beef carcasses.
A native of Burrton, Kansas, Foraker earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and master’s degree in meat science from Colorado State University. His doctorate in meat science is from Texas Tech. Foraker has coached national champion meat evaluation teams and as an undergraduate was a member of the All-American Livestock Judging team and member of the National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation team.
Overall Live and Carcass Winners – Heifer Division
1. Tag no. 182, feeder/owner: High Choice Feeders /High Choice Cattle Co.
2. Tag no. 176, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Gardiner Angus Ranch.
3. Tag no. 175, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Triangle H.
4. Tag no. 285, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Schurr and Krier.
5. Tag no. 177, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Tyler and Naomi Mayer.
Overall Live and Carcass Winners – Steer Division
1. Tag no. 321, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Scott Livingston.
2. Tag no. 256, feeder/owner: Ingalls Feedyard/Arlin Meats.
3. Tag no. 222, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co./Reeve Cattle Co.
4. Tag no. 231, feeder/owner: Turon Feedyard/Martie Floyd, Jason Rios.
5. Tag no. 328, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Derek Sawyer.
Earl C. Brookover Award: Tag no.182, fed by High Choice Feeders. Owned by High Choice Cattle Co.
Feedlot Special Feature Award: Triangle H
Lallemand Biggest Bang for Your Buck Award: Tag no. 307, fed by Sublette Feeders.
Live Show – Heifer Division
1. Tag no. 180, weight: 1,550, feeder/owner: Sublette Feeders/Max Barkley & Scott Livingston.
2. Tag no. 176, weight: 1,580, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Gardiner Angus Ranch.
3. Tag no. 157, weight: 1,520, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Randy Patterson.
4. Tag no. 182, weight: 1,535, feeder/owner: High Choice Feeders/High Choice Cattle Co.
5. Tag no. 283, weight: 1,515, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Burkdoll Bros.
6. Tag no. 169, weight: 1,480, feeder/owner: NextGen Cattle Feeding LLC/NextGen Cattle Partners.
7. Tag no. 156, weight: 1,470, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Brookover Land Enterprises.
8. Tag no. 154, weight: 1,590, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Tim Ohm.
9. Tag no. 288, weight: 1,660, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Dennis Allen.
10. Tag no. 155, weight: 1,550, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Beck Cattle Company.
11. Tag no. 286, weight: 1,405, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Schurr & Krier.
12. Tag no. 273, weight: 1,580, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Kenny Dyck.
13. Tag no. 177, weight: 1,560, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Tyler and Naomi Mayer.
14. Tag no. 171, weight: 1,530, feeder/owner: NextGen Cattle Feeding LLC/NextGen Cattle Partners.
15. Tag no. 297, weight: 1,430, feeder/owner: Midwest Feeders Inc./JCS GP & Frank Harper.
16. Tag no. 291, weight: 1,520, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard /JRO Cattle Co.
17. Tag no. 272, weight: 1,380, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Kenny Dyck.
18. Tag no. 175, weight: 1,480, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Triangle H.
19. Tag no. 278, weight: 1,360, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Turon Feedyard.
20. Tag no. 164, weight: 1,520, feeder/owner: Hy Plains Feedyard LLC/Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC.
21. Tag no. 284, weight: 1,445, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Burkdoll Bros.
22. Tag no. 178, weight: 1,220, feeder/owner: Sublette Feeders/Max Barkley & Scott Livingston.
23. Tag no. 285, weight: 1,345, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Schurr & Krier.
24. Tag no. 166, weight: 1,474, feeder/owner: Brookover Ranch Feedyard/Brookover Land Enterprises.
25. Tag no. 293, weight: 1,390, feeder/owner: Ingalls Feedyard/G.O. Farms.
Live Show – Steer Division
1. Tag no. 259, weight: 1,620, feeder/owner: Pioneer Feedyard/Foote Cattle Company.
2. Tag no. 321, weight: 1,680, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Scott Livingston.
3. Tag no. 270, weight: 1,570, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Beck Cattle Company.
4. Tag no. 233, weight: 1,640, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Andrew Avery.
5. Tag no. 258, weight: 1,650, feeder/owner: Pioneer Feedyard/Foote Cattle Company.
6. Tag no. 239, weight: 1,633, feeder/owner: Lane Co Feeders/Foote Cattle Company.
7. Tag no. 256, weight: 1,720, feeder/owner: Ingalls Feedyard/Arlin Meats.
8. Tag no. 328, weight: 1,570, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Derek Sawyer.
9. Tag no. 324, weight: 1,560, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Derek Sawyer.
10. Tag no. 326, weight: 1,750, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Don Jones.
11. Tag no. 262, weight: 1,670, feeder/owner: Irsik & Doll Feed Yard/Gentlebreeze.
12. Tag no. 231, weight: 1,620, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Martie Floyd, Jayden Rios.
13. Tag no. 269, weight: 1,660, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Beck Cattle Company.
14. Tag no. 267, weight: 1,680, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard/Danny Gallagher.
15. Tag no. 219, weight: 1,500, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co./Reeve Cattle Co.
16. Tag no. 222, weight: 1,602, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co./Reeve Cattle Co.
17. Tag no. 234, weight: 1,619, feeder/owner: Lane Co Feeders/Foote Cattle Company.
18. Tag no. 220, weight: 1,578, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co./Reeve Cattle Co.
19. Tag no. 248, weight: 1,620, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Darrin Reed.
20. Tag no. 230, weight: 1,640, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Dale and Carol Voran.
21. Tag no. 225, weight: 1,580, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard/Dale and Carol Voran.
22. Tag no. 319, weight: 1,590, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard/Derek Sawyer.
23. Tag no. 292, weight: 1,625, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC/Clapp Ranch.
24. Tag no. 236, weight: 1,567, feeder/owner: Lane Co Feeders/Foote Cattle Company.
25. Tag no. 299, weight: 1,590, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Kevin Milliken.
Carcass Show – Heifer Division
1. Tag no. 285, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard Schurr/Krier.
2. Tag no. 175, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Triangle H.
3. Tag no. 179, feeder/owner: Sublette Feeders/Mike Nightengale.
4. Tag no. 182, feeder/owner: High Choice Feeders /High Choice Cattle Co.
5. Tag no. 178, feeder/owner: Sublette Feeders/Max Barkley & Scott Livingston.
6. Tag no. 163, feeder/owner: Hy Plains Feedyard LLC/Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC.
7. Tag no. 172, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC/Crossland.
8. Tag no. 282, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Cleland/Haun/Parsons/Mayo.
9. Tag no. 287, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Cleland/Haun/Parsons/Mayo.
10. Tag no. 176, feeder/owner: Triangle /H Gardiner Angus Ranch.
11. Tag no. 177, feeder/owner: Triangle H/Tyler and Naomi Mayer.
12. Tag no. 151, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch/Myron Danner.
13. Tag no. 158, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch/Jerome Danner.
14. Tag no. 153, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch /Jerome Danner.
15. Tag no. 297, feeder/owner: Midwest Feeders Inc./JCS GP / Frank Harper.
16. Tag no. 173, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC/ W6 Cattle.
17. Tag no. 298, feeder/owner: Midwest Feeders Inc./A-Team.
18. Tag no. 152, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch/Jerome Danner.
19. Tag no. 289, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Dan Direzza.
20. Tag no. 159, feeder/owner: Poky Feeders/Poky Feeders.
21. Tag no. 160, feeder/owner: Poky Feeders/Poky Feeders.
22. Tag no. 284, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard/Burkdoll Bros.
23. Tag no. 273, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard /Kenny Dyck.
24. Tag no. 294, feeder/owner: Irsik & Doll Feed Yard/Weikert’s.
25. Tag no. 162, feeder/owner: Hy Plains Feedyard LLC/Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC.
Carcass Show – Steer Division
1. Tag no. 222, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co. Reeve Cattle Co.
2. Tag no. 256, feeder/owner: Ingalls Feedyard Arlin Meats.
3. Tag no. 295, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC W6 Cattle.
4. Tag no. 265, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch Myron Danner.
5. Tag no. 292, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC Clapp Ranch.
6. Tag no. 321, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard Scott Livingston.
7. Tag no. 228, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard Dale and Carol Voran.
8. Tag no. 231, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard Martie Floyd, Jayden Rios.
9. Tag no. 223, feeder/owner: Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC JO Cattle Co.
10. Tag no. 299, feeder/owner: Triangle H Kevin Milliken.
11. Tag no. 297, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC W6 Cattle.
12. Tag no. 293, feeder/owner: Beef Belt LLC W6 Cattle.
13. Tag no. 266, feeder/owner: Danner Ranch Jerome Danner.
14. Tag no. 277, feeder/owner: Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC.
15. Tag no. 328, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard Derek Sawyer.
16. Tag no. 298, feeder/owner: Triangle H Gardiner Angus Ranch.
17. Tag no. 278, feeder/owner: Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC Hy-Plains Feedyard LLC.
18. Tag no. 220, feeder/owner: Reeve Cattle Co. Reeve Cattle Co.
19. Tag no. 243, feeder/owner: HRC Feedyard Cooper Hereford Ranch.
20. Tag no. 323, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard Scott Livingston.
21. Tag no. 224, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard Dale and Carol Voran.
22. Tag no. 268, feeder/owner: Brookover Feedyard Beck Cattle Company.
23. Tag no. 225, feeder/owner: Turon Feed Yard Dale and Carol Voran.
24. Tag no. 317, feeder/owner: Finney County Feedyard Derek Sawyer.
25. Tag no. 261, feeder/owner: Irsik & Doll Feed Yard J&J.
People’s Choice judging contest winners:
1. Katie Mayo and John Wiese $15,900
2. Jeremy Simon $9,540
3. Sam Hands $6,360
Public Pick 5 winners
Men’s Division:
1. Socorro Martinez – 739.30 – $32.00
2. Sam Hands – 733.48 – $19.20
3. Kris Rose – 721.63 – $12.80
Women’s Division:
1. Skye Schumaker – 659.28 – $19.20
2. Hannah Grund – 589.84 – $12.80
Youth Division:
- Theodore Cooper – 640.06
Beef Empire Days 2026 is set for May 29 to June 7, 2026. For more information visit www.beefempiredays.com.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
