MURFREESBORO, TN—The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA) and Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association (TCYA) recognized over 35 youth members for their success in the seventh year of the Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health points program. The winners were recognized at the TCA Youth Awards Banquet sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation, held on January 18, 2025, at the Lane Agri-Park in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program was created by TCA to increase youth involvement at cattle shows across the state and to create more opportunities for agriculture youth to be recognized. The program has continued to grow and draw interest from youth cattle enthusiasts across the state.
“The seventh year of the Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program was very rewarding for all involved,” said Melinda Hart, TCA Director of Youth Programs & Outreach. “There were several new participants in the program this year, and we were able to recognize more youth for their hard work with their show cattle projects.”
Participants can receive points in three divisions: heifers, steers, and showmanship. To receive points, exhibitors must be youth members of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association.
Emma Armstrong from Bedford County and Cole Lehnert from Lawrence County received top honors for the 2024 Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program year. Armstrong was awarded show heifer of the year and Lehnert was awarded show steer of the year.
The other Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health winners were as follows: Top five overall heifers (listed from first to fifth): Emma Armstrong, Bedford County; Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County; Caroline Huebner, Obion County; Laine Whipple, Henry County; Emeri Whipple, Henry County. Top five overall steers (listed from first to fifth): Cole Lehnert, Lawrence County; Tillman Staley, Lincoln County; Dani Wares, Overton County; Alex Cunningham, Washington County; Brevin Hutson, Henry County.
There are two additional divisions to showcase the heifer exhibitors. The Tennessee bred heifer division recognizes cattle that were raised by Tennessee cattle producers. Top five Tennessee bred heifers (listed first to fifth): Ethan Bartee, Robertson County; Avery Rowlett, Wayne County; Van Richardson, Union County (tie for 3rd); Lila Sims, Humphreys County (tie for 3rd); Remi Gardner, Henry County; Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County. The top two heifers in each breed were as follows: Angus- Avery Rowlett, Wayne County; Emma Armstrong, Bedford County; Charolais- Gracie Shults, Levi Shults, both of Unicoi County; Chi- Ethan Bartee, Robertson County; Hereford- Alyssa Meier, Anderson County; Evan Jackson, Benton County; Limousin- Remi Gardner, Henry County; Jake Ozburn, Bedford County; Red Angus- Van Richardson, Union County (tie for 1st); Lila Sims, Humphreys County (tie for 1st); Van Richardson also had second high point Red Angus; Shorthorn- Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County; Blaire Lamon, Henry County; ShorthornPlus- Caroline Huebner, Obion County; Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County; Simmental- Mason Harris, Unicoi County; Evan Jackson, Benton County; Percentage Simmental- Emma Armstrong, Bedford County; Emeri Whipple, Henry County; Commercial- Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County; Laine Whipple, Henry County; AOB- Maggie Ann Snapp, Hawkins County.
The following were the top five winners in each showmanship division, listed from first to fifth. Top five Senior Level II Showmen: Evan Jackson, Benton County; Dani Wares, Overton County; Emma Armstrong, Bedford County; Reagan Bostick, Henry County; Remi Gardner, Henry County; Top five Senior Level I Showmen: Van Richardson, Union County; Jake Ozburn, Bedford County; Ellie Hensley, Unicoi County; Alex Cunningham, Washington County (tied for 4th); Grant Kuhn, Coffee County (tied for 4th); Avery Rowlett, Wayne County (tied for 4th); Lucas Berner, Obion County; Top five Junior High Showmen: Kutler Tinin, Lawrence County; Emma Locke, Trousdale County; Emeri Whipple, Henry County; Jackson Overbay, Hamblen County; Walker Wilbanks, Obion County; Top five Junior Showmen: Gracie Shults, Unicoi County; Kelsey Widener, Sullivan County; Gavin Kuhn, Coffee County (tied for 3rd); Laine Whipple, Henry County (tied for 3rd); Kelbie Rowlett, Wayne County; Lona Sims, Humphreys County; Top five Explorer Showmen: Mason Harris, Unicoi County (tied for 1st); Caroline Huebner, Obion County (tied for 1st); Josie Ozburn, Bedford County; Ruby Hunigan, Washington County.
“Winning Senior Level II Showmanship means a lot to me,” said Evan Jackson. “I have always been taught that heifers will come and go, but my integrity, character, and sportsmanship will define me forever. That’s why I’ve always worked hard, shown my cattle to the best of my ability, and respected my fellow showmen.”
In addition to the youth award winners, the Shelbyville Showdown Cattle Show was awarded the 2024 Show of the Year for the Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program. The Shelbyville Showdown is held each May in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Tennessee’s Top Tier exhibitors and families voted the Shelbyville Showdown as the Show of the Year through an online vote.
The Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program end-of-the-year awards would not be possible without the following sponsors: Title Sponsor: Merck Animal Health; Diamond Sponsors: United Farm & Home Coop, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, TransOva Genetics, Gallagher; Gold Sponsor: 3C Cattle, Northwest Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, West Tennessee Angus Association, Champion Show Supply, Carter Cover Graphics; Silver Sponsors: M&M Cattle, Tennessee Simmental/SimBrah Association, Tennessee Shorthorn Association; Bronze Sponsors: Umbarger Show Feeds, Swallows Insurance, Perkins Family Cattle, Jared and Melinda Hart; Friend of TCYA Sponsors: Sintek Livestock, DS Farms, Tennessee CattleWomen’s Association, Cedar Forest Farms, Freebird Farms, Tennessee Hereford Association, Higgins Farms, Tennessee Angus Association.
The eighth year of the Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program is now underway. Rules and a full list of shows on the points circuit can be found online at, tncattle.org/youth.
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