Young cattle producers from around the world come to the United States Oct. 19-25, to compete in the Young Breeders Competition, held in conjunction with the World Hereford Conference (WHC), hosted in Kansas City, Mo., by the American Hereford Association (AHA).
“This is a unique opportunity for the best of the best from across the globe to compete in a range of real-world competitions related to day-to-day beef cattle production and to Hereford seedstock production and marketing,” explains Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation.
For instance, competitors will score cattle for performance and phenotype, relative to specific production scenarios, demonstrate their knowledge about cattle nutrition and cattle health, and work as a team to develop educational presentations on assigned industry topics. Other contests include livestock judging and meat animal evaluation.
“Competition is just a part of the YBC,” Cowan says. “These young producers, leaders in their respective countries, have an opportunity to share their unique insights and to learn from one another.”
Much of the YBC takes place at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., Oct 19-22 before traveling to Kansas City Oct. 22-25 for the WHC and remaining competition, which concludes with a team fitting and showmanship contest at the American Royal.
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 United States (see YBC teams).
YBC sponsors include Merck Animal Health®, VitaFerm®, Sullivan Supply and the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture. As well, U.S. teams received travel scholarships from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America, through the OXO World Traveler Scholarship Fund and the Cottonwood Springs Farm Global Education and Leadership Endowment program.
To learn more about the competition and specific events, visit worldherefordconference.com/ybc.
About the World Hereford Conference
The 19th World Hereford Conference Oct. 22-26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo., features: a two-day educational forum, including a first glimpse at results from pioneering collaborative research conducted by the American Hereford Association (AHA); celebration of Hereford Hall of Fame and Hall of Merit indictees; recognition of Golden Hereford Breeders, Certified Hereford Beef® award winners, Hereford Commercial Producer of the Year; Hereford Youth Foundation of America scholarship recipients and winners in the National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout.
The week culminates with the Ladies of Royal International Edition Sale and National Hereford Show at the American Royal, where the new National Hereford Queen will be crowned. In fact, the first National Hereford Show in 1899 was the foundation of what later became the iconic American Royal.
For historical perspective, the World Hereford Conference takes place every four years when delegates of the World Hereford Council meet to conduct official business aimed at breed improvement and opportunity development. It is a time for Hereford breeders from around the world to network and learn from one another.
Sites for the World Hereford Conference revolve among World Hereford Council member countries. The first one was in 1951 at Herefordshire, England. The United States hosted the conference for the first time in 1960, in Kansas City, Mo. The U.S. also hosted the 12th annual conference in Fort Collins, Colo., in 1996.
YBC Teams:
Team USA — Blue
Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.
Team USA — Red
Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.
Team Australia
Tabby Cross, Indigo Valley, VIC; Lochie McLauchlan, Glenormiston North, VIC; Emily Taylor, Quipolly, NSW; William Van Gend, O’Connell, NSW.
Team Canada — National Selects
Codee Kopelchuk, Canora, Saskatchewan; Emma Lees, Arcola, Saskatchewan; Levi Rimke, Oaklake, Manitoba; Daniel Schuepbach, Claresholm, Alberta.
Team Canada — Red Coats
Emma Cross, Camrose County, Alberta; Brandon Fraser, Rocky View County, Alberta; Megan Nicholas, Milestone, Saskatchewan; Matthew Trefiak, Edgerton, Alberta.
Team Denmark — The Danish Vikings
Sofie Brydsø, Varde, Vestjylland; Natasja Jakobsen, Auning, Midtjylland; Maria Jensen, Horsens, Midtjylland; Peter Olesen, Allingaabro, Djursland.
Team Ireland — Green
Catherine Smyth, Navan, Co. Meath; Colin Burke, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath; Patrick Farrell, Athlone, Co. Westmeath; Jack Larkin, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Team Ireland — White
Sarah Armstrong, Arva, Co. Cavan; Mark Hyland, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim; John O’Dwyer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperay; Sarah Murray, Moate, Co. Westmeath.
Team New Zealand
Niamh Barnett, Southland; Ella McWilliam, Gisborne; Georgia Moody, Manawatu; Joel Steele, Taranaki.
Team UK — Beef & Beyond
Matthew Fearon, Keswick, Cumbria; Lottie Hill, Evercreech, Somerset; Sean Mitchell, Carlisle, Cumbria; Isal Soutter, Leicestershire.
Team UK — Hereford Cattle Society
William Awan, Bath, Somerset; Ethan Brook, Mynach, Hengoed; Cara Doggett, Hildale, Carlisle; Iona Smith, Turnberry, Ayshire.
