Author: Jessica Bremer
Greyson Belcher, an EBF Senior, has had a remarkable year with two heifers, KABG Mazy 275K ET & KABG Kismet 265K ET, that he raised & showed across the midwest. The trio has shown locally in Iowa as well as Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, & Colorado.
Showing cattle competitively at this level takes numerous hours spent in the show barn, getting up at sunrise & not finishing chores until after dark. Breaking them to lead, grooming their hair daily, cleaning the barn, & feeding requires months of hard work. Showing cattle is both an individual & a team activity. While the exhibitor plays the major role in their own success, guidance & encouragement from friends & family contribute to the success of the “sport”.
Greyson started his success with his two heifers in the summer of 2022 when he was selected the Grand Champion Prospect Heifer at the Iowa State Fair. He then continued the success and went on to win the 2022 Grand Champion Bred & Owned MaineTainer Female at NAILE, 2023 Grand Champion Bred & Owned MaineTainer Female and 3rd Overall at Junior Nationals, 2023 Grand Champion Chi-Composite Female and Reserve Grand Champion MaineTainer Female at the American Royal, NAILE, and 2024 Cattlemen’s Congress, 2023 Grand Champion Bred & Owned MaineTainer Female & Grand Champion Bred & Owned Chi-Composite Female at NAILE, and he was also selected the 2023 Maine-Anjou Premier Breeder at NAILE.
Greyson also showed his heifers at several Jackpot shows across Iowa last year. The Jackpot shows are a part of the IJBBA (Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association) where exhibitors accumulate points for their class & overall placings for each show. Greyson ended the 2023 IJBBA show year with the Most Supreme Breeding Heifer wins and was the Overall Champion for Breeding Heifer Points. Greyson was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and a Wilson cattle trailer for a year. This will be Greyson’s 5th time placing in the IJBBA Top 10 & receiving a scholarship.
Showing livestock is more than winning banners or ribbons, it is about the valuable life lessons that are being taught such as work ethic, compassion, & responsibility. You have to have passion for the “sport” in order to achieve & accomplish your goals that you set for yourself & your animals. Greyson set high goals for himself & his heifers this past year and he worked very hard to accomplish them.