LA SALLE - A successful 16th annual LaSalle County Stockman’s Harvest Rewards Banquet was held at Seneca’s Oak Ridge on Nov. 26. A crowd of over 225 enjoyed the banquet honoring LaSalle County’s outstanding young people who raise and show breeding livestock.

Following a welcome by Chris Over, Karly Reel of Mendota offered the invocation.

LaSalle County Stockman President Terry Patyk thanked those in attendance for coming to honor and recognize the youth of LaSalle County. Patyk said in addition to hosting a banquet to honor youth who showed livestock this past year, the LaSalle County Stockman organization strives to promote and support young people as they build an agriculture career and lifestyle. Whether they pursue agriculture through a cow herd, a hog enterprise, sheep or goat herd or any agriculture field, Patyk said this evening is LCSA’s way to encourage and recognize LaSalle County youth in agriculture.

The Grand and Reserve Champion Market winners from the 2019 LaSalle County Junior Fair were recognized followed by a live auction of their champion market animals.

Grand Champion Market Animal winners who auctioned their animals were: Beef Steer-Nolan Lukach; Barrow-Bernadette Dittmer; Lamb-Karly Reel; Goat and Pen of Chickens-Hueston Wilson; and Dairy-Hannah McNelis. 

Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal winners who auctioned their animals were: Beef Steer-John Tyson Lukach; Barrow-Jacob Black, and Lamb-Nick Angus.

Rate of Gain Steer/Premier Carcass was awarded to Dalton Walter.

The 2019 LaSalle County 4-H and Junior Fair Grand and Reserve Champions market winners whose animals were auctioned include, front row left to right, Nolan Lukach, Grand Champion Beef; Bernadette Dittmer, Grand Champion Barrow; Hannah McNelis, Grand Champion Dairy; and John Lukach, Reserve Grand Champion Beef; back row, Hueston Wilson, Grand Champion Goat; Karly Reel, Grand Champion Lamb; Jacob Black, Reserve Grand Champion Barrow; and Nick Angus, Reserve Grand Champion Lamb. 

“Win-A-Show-Animal” essay contest winners were announced by Dan Lukach. Each winner wrote a 250-word essay on “Why I Want to Win a Show Animal.” An animal from beef, swine, and goat breeds was donated and given to the winner. These animals will be shown next July at the LaSalle County Junior Fair. This year’s beef winner was Teresa Dittmer, heifer donated by Schafer Stock Farm, Owaneco; the swine winner was Jenna Moritz, hog donated by Brockman Farm, Verona; and the goat winner was Mia Gross, goat donated by Woodside Farm/Robson Family, Marseilles.

Winners of the 2019 Grand Champion Breeding Animals were recognized and honored. They include: Heifer-Dalton Walter; Gilt Purebred and Gilt X-Bred-Carter Meyer; Ram-Nick Angus; Ewe-Jessica Reel; and Doe Goat-Hueston Wilson.

Reserved Grand Champion Breeding Animals winners were recognized and honored: Heifer-Clay Sundberg; Gilt Purebred-Cassie Simons; Gilt X-Bred-Carter Meyer; Ewe-Jessica Reel; Ram-Kara Killelea; and Doe Goat-Ethan Robson.

Showmanship winners from the 2019 LaSalle 4-H & Junior Fair were announced and recognized in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions of each animal breed.

In the Beef category: Junior Showman-John Tyson Lukach; Beef Intermediate-Ian Sundberg; Senior Beef-Clay Sundberg.

In the Swine category: Swine Junior Showman-Brayden Wilson; Swine Intermediate-Carter Meyer; and Swine Senior-Teresa Dittmer.

In the Goat category: Showmanship winners were Goat Junior Showman-Brayden Wilson; Goat Intermediate Showman-Bianca Riley; and Senior Goat Showman-Hueston Wilson.

In the Sheep Showmanship category: Sheep Junior Showman-Kieran Black; Sheep Intermediate Showman-Karly Reel; and Sheep Senior Showman-Nick Angus.

In the Dairy Showmanship Category: Dairy Junior-Hannah McNeilis and Dairy Senior-Miriam Hoffman.

The 2019 LaSalle County 4-H & Junior Fair showmanship winners include, front row left to right, Brayden Wilson, Hannah McNelis, Kieran Black, John Lukach, Carter Meyer, and Bianca Riley; back row, Clay Sundberg, Hueston Wilson, Karly Reel, Nick Angus, Teresa Dittmer, and Miriam Hoffman. Not present was Ian Sundberg.

The 2019 LaSalle County Master Showmanship winner was Clay Sundberg.

The 2019 achievements of several youth were also recognized: Clay Sundberg-2019 State of IL State Fair Master Showman and a team member of the 1st Place National Livestock Judging Team, which competed in Scotland; Miriam Hoffman who just completed her term as the 2018-19 IL State FFA Secretary; Streator High School student Jacob Black-2019 State of IL FFA Grain Production Winner; and Streator High School student Lance Moritz-2019 State of IL FFA Diversified Horticulture Winner and the U.S.’s Top 4 winners at the 2019 FFA National Organization Convention.

The LaSalle County Stockman awarded two $1,000 scholarships, which were presented by David Isermann to Ava Marshall of Leland, who is attending the Joliet Junior College and majoring in Ag Communications, and Lane Weber of Seneca, also a student at Joliet Junior College.

One Lifetime Membership was presented by Missy and Ken Bernard to the Guy Mann Family. Information on Life Memberships can be obtained by contacting board member Ken Bernard or any Stockman member.

Rich Prescott presented the 2019 Stockman of the Year to Larry Goodbred of Tonica. Goodbred and his wife, Mary Ellen are long time farmers and livestock producers. Larry currently serves as the organization’s vice-president.

For 16 years, the Association has provided the platform to return over $250,000 to the youth of LaSalle County through their programs, which include an Animal Essay Contest, scholarships, sponsoring various classes at the FFA fair, LaSalle County 4-H & Junior Fair and Mendota Tri-County Fair, Breeding Awards and the Live Market Animal Auction. 

During the past year, the Stockman’s Association has sponsored or donated to LaSalle County Junior Fair’s Livestock Premiums; Bred & Owned Class Sponsorships at the LaSalle County Jr. Fair and the Tri-County Fair; Section 7 FFA–Grand Champion Winners; LaSalle County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom; donation of a half-hog to a LaSalle County food pantry; Streator Ag Days; LaSalle County Stockman’s Scholarships; “Celebration of Lights” at Rotary Park in LaSalle; IL State Fair–LaSalle County Youth Pizza Party; and the Harvest Rewards Banquet Rewards.

Auctioneers for the evening were Adam Almburg, Ruben Dittmer, Tom Diss, Ron Espe, Dan Naughton and Joel Prestegaard.

Five talented ladies, Rosie Walter, Shirley Prescott, Anita Lukach, Joann Naughton and Beverly Vainisi, donated sweets for the auction.

Stockman’s 2020 events: January - National Western Livestock Show-Denver; June - Scholarship Applications Due; July - FFA Fair and Junior Fair; July ATV Safety Class; September - Tri-County Fair Bred & Owned Show; October - Win-A-Show-Animal Essay applications due; and the 17^th annual Harvest Awards and Recognition Banquet on Nov. 24, always held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Stockman officers for 2019-20 are President Terry Patyk, Vice-President Larry Goodbred, Secretary Laura Paytk, and Treasurer Mary Ellen Goodbred. The 2020-21 board of directors include Ken Bernard, Floyd Crane, Andy Goodbred, David Isermann, George A. Lukach, Chris Over and Ralph Walter.

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at various locations throughout the county. Follow and LIKE the Stockman on Facebook at “LaSalle County Stockman’s Association” for information of activities.

The LaSalle County Stockman’s Association expressed their appreciation to everyone throughout LaSalle County and the surrounding area for their continued support of the organization and they look forward to 2020 and many more successful years.