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Scarlett Hagins or Todd Domer (785) 273-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 11, 2007

ENTRIES FOR KANSAS JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW HIT 20-YEAR HIGH

          ( WICHITA ) – Youth from 86 counties have entered 1,616 animals in the 75th Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS). This is the largest number of livestock entered in 20 years.

          A total of 767 exhibitors plan to bring 146 steers, 310 heifers, 468 hogs, 304 lambs, 39 ewes, 198 wether dams and 151 meat goats to the show. The statewide event will take place September 21-24 at the Kansas Coliseum near Wichita .

Pottawatomie and Cowley counties are sending the most exhibitors, with 26 each. Republic County , with 11, has the most steers entered. The largest number of heifers, 24, was entered by Pottawatomie County youth. Finney County exhibitors entered the most market hogs, with 30. Johnson County youth are bringing 20 lambs and 71 head of total livestock, both of which represent the largest number for these categories. The wether dam division is led by Cowley, Ellis and Johnson counties, with 13 entries each. Pottawatomie County competitors have entered the most breeding ewes, with seven. The largest number of meat goats, 15, was entered by Labette County exhibitors.

          The top five steers, hogs and lambs, and the top two goats, will be sold during the KJLS Auction of Champions, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to support exhibitors by attending and bidding on livestock in this premium auction. Participants typically use the money earned from selling these animals to help fund their college education and purchase next year’s livestock project.

          Show organizers, prior to the premium sale, will present a minimum of $12,000 in scholarships to exhibitors who have excelled academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. Since the program’s inception in 1993, a total of $207,500 in scholarships has been presented to 180 KJLS exhibitors. The scholarship program is funded primarily through private contributions and income generated by the Beefeaters Barbecue prior to the auction. Tickets to the barbecue, held in the Sam Fulco Pavilion at the Kansas Coliseum, can be purchased at the door that evening or in advance by calling Joey Giblin at (316) 264-9990. Persons interested in contributing directly to the KJLS scholarship fund can call (316) 683-2611.

          “The responsibility of preparing for and showing at this event provides a great learning experience for Kansas youth,” said KJLS President Todd Johnson, a past exhibitor who now lives in Topeka . “We invite individuals and businesses to help reward these young people for their hard work by attending the Beefeaters Barbecue, participating in the sale or contributing to the scholarship fund.”

          In conjunction with the livestock shows, a showmanship contest will be held. Champion showmen in the junior and senior divisions of the contest, sponsored by the Kansas Junior Livestock Association (KJLA), will receive silver belt buckles. Prizes also will be awarded for second through fifth place in each division.

          KJLA will sponsor a club calf show and sale during KJLS. Steer and heifer prospects from some of the top club calf producers in the Midwest will be consigned. The event will take place September 22. A portion of the sale proceeds will go toward KJLA scholarships and educational activities.   

          Major sponsors for KJLS are the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas State University and the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to these groups, hundreds of volunteers from across the state help organize and put on the show.

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