Heifer competition at SEMO District Fair brings together veterans, beginners

While most Southeast Missouri students were sleeping in Friday morning, freshman Logan Birk was preparing her prize-winning heifer for a morning competition at the SEMO District Fair.

Stirring before the sun arose, the Jackson resident washed and combed the hair of her heifer before the event began at 9 a.m.

"This is a hobby for me," said Birk, holding a blue first-place ribbon. "I've always loved animals, and these competitions are something that I've grown to love more and more as the years passed. But it runs in the family."

Birk credits her father and grandfather for instilling a love for heifer competitions when she was 8 years old. She remembers many mornings alongside the two on the family farm in Tilsit.

Her father, Steve Birk, said passing on the tradition from father to daughter makes him smile.

"It makes me a proud dad," said Birk, who has raised cattle himself for 40 years. "When you see your kids out there doing something you did at their age, it makes you smile."

While some in the event were second- and third-generation competitors, others, like Chelsea Kirn of Friedheim, were the first in their family to participate.

Her father, Scott Kirn, said the family cherishes the time they spend on the road at various competitions throughout the state. Though most mornings consist of getting up at 5 a.m. to care for their heifers and going to bed at 9 p.m., the memories made and ribbons won make the hard work worthwhile.

"I just wish I could have done what my daughter is doing when I was her age," Kirn said. "This teaches kids a lot of responsibility. It's something I wish more kids would do."

Gavin Seyer of Chaffee, Mo., was among the students, most of whom were FFA or 4-H members, who missed a few days of school to enter the competition. Seyer said raising cattle has made him a better student, son and overall person.

"Besides being fun, it's taught me lessons like responsibility," Seyer said. "I am involved with and get to see a little calf grow up. To see her in turn give birth one day to other calves is an awesome feeling."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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