Welcome to the Minnesota Beef Expo!

SHOWMANSHIP JUDGES

Jacob Klaudt

Jacob Klaudt and his wife, Emma live in Kindred, North Dakota. Klaudt is the Merle Light Livestock Evaluation Coach and a lecturer at North Dakota State University, where he is also pursuing a master’s degree. Previously, he earned his bachelor’s in animal sciences and industry, with a minor in journalism & mass communications. He was part of national champion livestock judging teams, highlighted by being high individual in the national Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville.

Jacob previously attended Casper College, where he was an All-American Junior College Livestock Judge, while earning his associate’s degree in animal science and agriculture communication. He is originally from Beulah, North Dakota, where he grew up raising Simmental & Angus cattle. Currently, Jacob is an inaugural member of the “Top Judge Mentorship Program”, and has judged livestock shows in 12 states.

Lane Giess

Lane Giess, Ph.D was raised on a feedstock cattle operation in central Minnesota, where early experiences competing at the Minnesota Beef Expo helped spark a lifelong passion for the beef industry.

Giess Completed his B.S and M.S. at Kansas State University. During his time at K-State, Giess was a member of the meats judging team, livestock judging team, and the livestock/meat evaluation team, and later returned as the meats judging coach in 2017. Giess recently completed his Ph.D in animal breeding and genetics at Colorado State University. Giess most recently served as a Director and Lead Geneticist for the American Simmental Association before transitioning to Zoetis in the spring of 2025. He now serves as the Global Beef Genetics Technical Service Manager in the Precision Animal Health division at Zoetis.

Lane and his wife, Kate reside outside Fort Collins, Colorado, and he remains actively involved in his family’s operation near Pierz, Minn.

JUNIOR SHOW JUDGES

Jake Scott

Jake Scott lives in Gordon, Nebraska where he works with his wife, Kami and 2 daughters, Payton & Harper, on their family ranching operation, Krebs Ranch.  Krebs Ranch is a purebred Angus program located in the Nebraska Sandhills that produces 400 bulls annually for registered and commercial ranches across America.  Jake graduated from Connors State College and Oklahoma State University where he was a member of the livestock judging teams, at each school.  He has judged major breed and jackpot shows across the country and is very grateful to be part of this event.

Lydell Meier

Lydell Meier was born and raised in Stonewall, Texas. Along with his brothers, Shane and Tyson, they competed heavily showing steers and heifers throughout 4-H and FFA. Meier studied Animal Science and General Business at Texas Tech University, earning dual degrees. While at Texas Tech, he worked with a freelance fitter, and gained experience and knowledge in the cattle industry, being able to work with some of the best cattlemen in the state of Texas and throughout the country. Now residing in Clinton, Tenn. with his wife Holly, and three kids, they own and operate 3 Acres Cattle Company. Lydell and his family have 150 head and focus on raising and selling Red Angus, Simmental and Angus Cattle. Through the success of their program, he has had the opportunity to fulfill many childhood dreams such as judging cattle of all breeds at a state and national level.

SYMPOSIUM HEIFER

Donated by Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association
Mentored by Mark Pesek

The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) is a membership-based organization that represents cattle producers and individuals who are part of the cattle community in Minnesota. The association is currently offering opportunities for junior members through the creation of the Minnesota Junior Cattlemen’s Association. The junior program will provide junior leadership development, career opportunities and junior activities at the MSCA State Convention, Summer Cattlemen’s Tour and many other events. The MSCA currently represents around 900 members from all segments of the beef community. They are proud of their partnership with over 20 local cattlemen’s associations from around the state that affiliate with the MSCA. The MSCA is primarily focused on addressing local, state and federal issues impacting the long-term viability of cattle production and ensuring Minnesota’s business climate welcomes the growth and long-term success of raising cattle in Minnesota. The MSCA also works on several promotional activities during the year, including Farmfest, the Minnesota Beef Expo, the Minnesota State Fair, Cattlemen and the Capitol events (both in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.) and many more! The MSCA has been proud to provide a heifer every year for the Thursday night Symposium since its start 10 years ago, and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association is happy to provide another heifer this year to the lucky Symposium recipient. 

SPECKLE PARK

Donated by Hay Creek Speckle Park, Brad & Lacey Sonnentag and Family of Boyd, Wis. on behalf of the American Speckle Park Association

Brad, Lacey & family are a first-generation beef farming family near Boyd, Wis.  After years of researching beef cattle, they came across the Speckle Park breed and knew that this breed was exactly what they wanted. In 2020, they purchased their first bred cows from Heavenly Acres in New York and yearling heifers from Greenwood Speckle Park in Canada. Their daughter Brynlee has also fallen in love with the breed. She has raised her own heifers and steers, which she has shown at the local fairs and on the biggest stage at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. 
 
The Speckle Park breed is amazing! The breed does more with less and has excellent meat quality. The Sonnentag family believes that within 10 years it could be one of the top beef breeds in the USA. 
 
Follow Hay Creek Speckle Park on Facebook or @HayCreekSpecklePark on Instagram to find out more about the Sonnentag family and their operation.  
Email: bjsonnentag@gmail.com
Cell: (715)313-3640

SOUTH DEVON

Donated by R P Farms & Popken South Devon, on behalf of the Northern States South Devon Association

The Popken family has been in the cattle business since Joel’s great grandfather migrated to the Unites States from Germany in the 1800’s. The poplins moved to Minnesota from Nebraska in 1973 and purchased their first South Devon bullion in 1983. They have achieved many milestones in teh cattle industry with one of their accomplishments being named the 2021 South Devon Seed Stock producer of the year.

Popken South Devon and R P Farm’s heifers are artificially inseminated for calving ease, while cows are bred focusing on genetics with a balanced set of EPDs to enhance each animal’s genetic worth. They consistently focus on a moderate frame and a good phenotype in every individual. The family is also committed to purchasing the best but available. They raise most of their replacement females by carefully selecting from what they have identifies as the top end of their heifers. The Popkens don’t chase fads or base decisions on only hide color, and instead select on what they think is best. The Popkens believe South Devon cattle have many outstanding benefits like gentle dispositions that cross with everything quick growth rates, and great carcass traits.

Popken South Devon and R P Farms have shown cattle at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. They are active members of the North American Devon Association and of the Northern States South Devon Association. Both Bob and Joel have been serving on the board every year since its inception in 1986. Joel is currently on the National board and President of the State organization. He has also served on a number of committees and assisted with the National South Devon Show in Denver, Colorado each year since 1995. They have been supporters of the South Devon Junior Association, and they are happy to provide this South Devon heifers to help a deserving youth get a start in the industry.

SIMMENTAL

Donated by Donated by Pit-Stop Acres, Daryl & Marilee, Branstyn, Brennir and Brielle Peterson and Baleigh & Lane Miller, on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association

Pit-Stop Acres was founded by Daryl and Marilee Peterson in 2008 when it became clear they would not be taking over their respective dairy farms, yet they were determined to share their passion for agriculture with their children. After researching various junior associations, the Petersons chose the Simmental breed, confident in what that breed offered for a young family. Operating on a modest, intentional scale, they raise registered Simmental and Sim-influenced cattle on Daryl’s home farm near Gibbon, Minnesota. With a focus on producing quality, home-raised feedstock. Their calving barn provides an ideal start to their early calving season. 

For the Petersons, this is all about passing on a legacy. While their logo might suggest racing, the name is actually a nod to history. – a nickname affectionately carried over from Marilee’s childhood on “Pit-Stop Dairy” to their own operation. That same passion has clearly extended to their children, three of whom work in agriculture. Daryl and Marilee also served as co-leaders for the Minnesota Junior Simmental Association (MJSA) from 2017 to 2023. Each year, the family exhibits swine and poultry at the Sibley County Fair – a fitting setting, since that’s where Daryl and Marilee first met as kids.

Donated by Peine Cattle Company, on behalf of the Minnesota Simmental Association

Peine Cattle Company is now in their 4th generation of raising cattle and crops. With a passion for producing functional, productive cattle backed by sound genetics, the Peine family is committed to raising cattle that excel in both the pasture and the show ring. The operation has approximately 150 head of Simmental and SimAngus cows. Mike & Lori, Briggs & Jill (Lauren/Luke/Cole), Blake, Paige and Beau, all take part in different areas of the operation. They utilize IVF and embryo transfer extensively,raising show heifers to be sold year-round online as well as private treaty.

Their  main focus is a multi-breed online heifer sale the first week of October hosted in Iowa, typically followed by a later sale mid-December and a Genetic/Fall– born sale in the spring. Peine Cattle Company believes investing in youth is one of the best ways to strengthen the future of agriculture. Through involvement in 4-H, junior cattle shows, and industry events, the family enjoys helping young cattle producers develop their skills, confidence, and passion for the beef business.

The Peine family is honored to support the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of cattlemen and cattlewomen as they begin their journey in the beef industry.

SHORTHORN

Donated by Carlson Cattle, of Lamberton, Minn.

Carlson Cattle was founded in 2018 at the Minnesota Beef Expo, when twin brothers Ethan and Jayden were both awarded MYBEP heifers. Ethan was granted the Shorthorn heifer and Jayden received the Symposium heifer. Little did Jayden know that this program would lead to what he has today.

From a very young age, Jayden knew he wanted to raise cattle back on the family farm. It’s where his grandpa raised registered Shorthorns under the name Mulberry Lane Shorthorns, and where his Aunt Cathy and Uncle Dennis have their operation today. 

Carlson Cattle is a small, multi-breed herd with a focus on providing show-quality projects for 4-H and FFA youth, and breeding stock through private treaty. Youth development has always been a focus for Ethan and Jayden. They feel there is no better way to achieve this than through the MYBEP program!

RED ANGUS

Donated by Compeer Financial

Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry. With $36.1 billion in assets, Compeer Financial is one of the larges cooperatives in the Farm Credit System – a nation wide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Steve Pomerenke will be the mentor for this heifer and recipient.

MAINE ANJOU

Donated by Mente Cattle Company, Dave & Stacy, Dylan, Trevor and Justin, Mente, of Adrian, Minn. 

Mente Cattle Company is operated by Dave and Stacy, along with their three sons Dylan, Trevor, and Justin. As a family, they have exhibited cattle at local, state and national shows, earning success that is evident not only in the banners collected, but in the donor females and bulls now working in the herds of many of their customers. Established in 1997 in Adrian, Minnesota, Mente Cattle Company is rooted in Dave’s early experiences growing up in eastern Iowa, where neighbors and mentors introduced him to the world of show cattle and sparked a lifelong passion for the industry. That passion took deeper hold when Stacy’s brother, Derek, selected a show heifer for his 4‑H project. Helping with that project marked the true beginning of their breeding program and set the direction for the high‑quality cattle they continue to focus on today.

Over the decades, they have marketed cattle through pasture sales, private treaty offerings, online sales and consignments, continually expanding and improving their herd. Their extensive embryo transfer and AI program reflects their commitment to producing cattle with the quality, consistency, and performance their customers expect.

A highlight in their family’s journey came in 2015, the year of the 100th MYBEP heifer awarded through the program, when Dylan received a heifer. They look forward to seeing the opportunities this same female will provide to the next motivated young cattle enthusiast who receives her.

HEREFORD

Donated by the May family of Randolph, Minn.

Mark and Ann May of Randolph, Minn., and Jason May have been involved in raising and showing cattle for many years. in 1996, they purchased their first Hereford heifer and continue to raise a small herd of Hereford cattle. Mark, Ann, their children, and grandchildren are all actively involved in the beef industry and livestock shows; including 4-H, FFA, and breed associations. Jason currently resides in Alpha, Minn. and enjoys working with and mentoring young exhibitors.

Contact Information:

  • Mark May
  • Cell: (612) 363-1081
  • Jason May
  • Cell: (507) 339-8248