2025 Young Breeders Competition Champions

Young cattle producers from around the world competed in the Young Breeders Competition, held Oct. 19-25 in conjunction with the World Hereford Conference (WHC), hosted in Kansas City, Mo., by the American Hereford Association (AHA). The 2025 Young Breeders Competition brought together 11 teams representing seven countries for a week of world-class competition and camaraderie. Countries represented during the competition included the USA, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Results Press Release & Champion Photos

Overall Champions

Grand Champion Team: Team USA — Blue with team members Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Reserve Grand Champion Team: Team USA — Red with team members Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; and Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.

Grand Champion Individual: Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss., from Team USA — Blue.

Reserve Grand Champion Individual: Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind., from Team USA — Red.

Meat Animal Evaluation Contest

Champion Team: Team USA — Blue with team members Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Reserve Champion Team: Team Canada — National Selects with team members Codee Kopelchuk, Canora, Saskatchewan; Emma Lees, Arcola, Saskatchewan; Levi Rimke, Oaklake, Manitoba; and Daniel Schuepbach, Claresholm, Alberta.

Champion Individual: Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D., from Team USA — Blue.

Reserve Champion Individual: Emily Taylor, Quipolly, NSW, from Team Australia.

Livestock Judging & Reasons Contest

Champion Team: Team USA — Red with team members Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; and Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.

Reserve Champion Team: Team USA — Blue with team members Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Champion Individual: Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss., from Team USA — Blue.

Reserve Champion Individual: Tar Tut, Bells, Texas, from Team USA — Red.

Industry Practicums Series

Champion Team: Team USA — Red with team members Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; and Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.

Reserve Champion Team: Team USA — Blue with team members Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Communications Challenge

Champion Team: Team USA — Red with team members Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; and Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.

Reserve Champion Team: Team USA — Blue with team members Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Team Fitting Contest

Champion Team: Team Australia with team members Tabby Cross, Indigo Valley, VIC; Lochie McLauchlan, Glenormiston North, VIC; Emily Taylor, Quipolly, NSW; and William Van Gend, O’Connell, NSW.

Showmanship Contest

Champion Individual: Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind., from Team USA — Red.

Reserve Champion Individual: Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb., from Team USA — Red.