Author: Kathy Snow

The Iowa Choral Directors Association announced that several southeast Iowa students have been accepted to participate in the Iowa All-State Show Choir & Band, Monday July 20^th through Tuesday, July 22^nd at Central College in Pella. This is a state-level show choir and band experience that celebrates collaboration, communication, and musical excellence. Selected through a competitive audition process, students will work with master teachers and choreographers highlighting the educational value of show choir and inspiring the next generation of music educators.

KILJ congratulates the following Southeast Iowa area students on their acceptance to the 2026 Iowa State Show Choir and Band:

Central Lee—Caden Crozier, Tenor; Austin Fogarty, Tenor; Addison Hohl, Soprano; Henry Robbins, Tenor; Ivy Smith, Alto; Evan Fogarty, Bass; and Hudson Tweedy, Drum Set/Percussion.

Fort Madison—Rowan Benda, Tenor; Kerrigan Bentley, Alto; Maleena Bentley, Soprano; Esther Gnann, Alto; Markus Holbert, Bass; Jonah Santiago, Bass; Molly Schulte, Soprano; Andrea Yrigoyen, Alto; Athena Snook, Baritone Sax; and Hayden Stancil, Trumpet.

Keokuk—Olivia Claus, Alto; Paxson Dray, Bass; and Trenton Smith, Bass.

Click here to find out more.

 

It was a hot Beef Show at the Henry County Fair today with highs in the 90s and real-feel temps in the hundreds, but the exhibitors and their cattle were troopers. If you took a walk through the livestock barns or watched from the stands around the show ring, you saw what dedication really looks like.

Despite the heat, these young people, with the help of family and friends, continued caring for their animals first—making sure they stayed cool, had fresh water, shade, and plenty of attention. They also took care of themselves by drinking lots of water and looking out for one another.

Here are the official results. Kudos to all of our 4-H and FFA exhibitors and their families, and congratulations to this year’s Henry County Fair Beef Show champions and reserve champions. Best of luck at your upcoming shows!

(Please NOTE: Results are in show order of appearance.)

 

HEAVY FEEDERS

1^ST Place – Kassidy Nichting

 

MARKET HEIFERS

Champion – Abigail Loyd

Reserve Champion – Grant Beschorner

 

PUREBRED MARKET BEEF

Champion – Kylie Loyd

Reserve Champion – Zenlynn Lee

 

LIGHT WEIGHT MARKET STEERS

Champion – Justin Knipfer

Reserve Champion – Maison Nelson

 

MEDIUM WEIGHT MARKET STEERS

Champion – Morgan Meyer

Reserve Champion – Libby Myers

 

HEAVY WEIGHT MARKET STEERS

Champion – Grant Anderson

Reserve Champion – Levi Graber

 

OVERALL MARKET BEEF

Grand Champion – Morgan Meyer

Reserve Grand Champion – Grant Anderson

3^rd Place – Libby Myers

4^th Place – Levi Graber

5^th Place – Justin Knipfer

 

COUNTY RAISED MARKET BEEF

Champion – Justin Knipfer

 

RETURN BUCKET CALF

Champion – Brecklyn Fitzpatrick

 

RATE OF GAIN

Champion – Alexa Lair

Reserve Champion – Brylor Lair

 

CARCASS BEEF

Champion – Alexa Lair

Reserve Champion – Brylor Lair

 

BREEDING BEEF

AOB HEIFER

Champion – Grant Anderson

Reserve Champion – Tate Beard

 

CHAROLAIS HEIFER

Champion – Tate Beard

Reserve Champion – Andrew Shepherd

 

SHORTHORN/SHORTHORN PLUS HEIFER

Champion – Kylie Loyd

Reserve Champion – Abigail Loyd

 

SIMMENTAL/FOUNDATION SIMMENTAL HEIFER

Champion – Aubrey Loyd

Reserve Champion – Levi Graber

 

CROSSBRED HEIFERS

Champion – Zenlynn Lee

Reserve Champion – Katie Miller

 

OVERALL BREEDING HEIFER

Grand Champion – Zenlynn Lee

Reserve Grand Champion – Katie Miller

3rd Place – Grant Anderson

4th Place – Aubrey Loyd

5th Place – Levi Graber

 

COUNTY RAISED BREEDING HEIFER

Champion – Katie Miller

 

SHOWMANSHIP AWARD

Junior – Aubrey Loyd

Intermediate – Levi Graber

Senior – Grant Anderson

 

For our 4-H and FFA exhibitors, it’s been days, weeks, months—even years—of hard work leading up to this moment. Many started showing their animals nine years ago while they were still in elementary school. Early mornings, late nights, blood, sweat, and yes, sometimes tears. That’s especially true for graduating seniors showing their final Henry County Fair before closing this chapter of their 4-H or FFA careers.

Behind every exhibitor is a team of support. Parents helping wrangle animals from barn or tent to show ring and back; siblings carrying brushes, halters and ribbons; grandparents pitching in with younger sisters and brothers; aunts and uncles taking photos or cheering from the stands; and friends lending a helping hand. It truly takes a village.

While the ribbons are exciting, the greatest rewards go far beyond the show ring. Through 4-H and FFA, these young people develop leadership, responsibility, communication, problem-solving, sportsmanship, and public presentation skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.

The banners, buckles, and ribbons recognize outstanding performance, but every exhibitor who walked into the ring accomplished something important. The dedication, perseverance, and positive attitudes displayed throughout the fair are something our entire community can be proud of. They’re all winners in our book!

KILJ would like to recognize all the people behind the scenes who made the 2026 Henry County Fair Beef Show a success, from volunteers working the ring to the 2026 Henry County Fair royalty handing out ribbons and awards. A shoutout to ISU Extension & Outreach – Henry County Youth Program Director, Emily Holtkamp; Show Announcer of seven years, Dave Rogers; and Show Judge, Kenton Lain. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

We’re also grateful to our sponsors who helped us bring you our KILJ Henry County Fair 2026 coverage—CB Welding & Service, Chem Gro, DMC Regional Waste Commission, Five Star Community Credit Union, and Gamrath Doyle Vans Insurance. Thank you.

A new study from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa State University, and the Iowa Bankers Association—titled 2026 Iowa Agricultural Outlook: The Pressure is Rising—says Iowa’s farm economy continues to face mounting financial pressure. The report shows net farm income dropped 53-percent between 2022 and 2024 as high input costs, low grain prices, and trade uncertainty continue to squeeze farmers.

According to the report, Iowa farmers are facing a third consecutive year of costs outpacing prices. Iowa’s dominant crops, corn and soybeans, are especially dependent on export markets. Their production costs have increased 37% and 36%, respectively, also due to machinery charges as well as seed, chemical, and fertilizer expenses.

The share of financially vulnerable Iowa farms has increased from under 8-percent in late 2022 to 19-percent by the end of 2025. Since farmers rely on yearly operating notes to run their operations, this financial pressure leaves less room for weather, market or policy surprises.

According to an ISU survey, 40% of respondents expect Iowa land values to decline over the next year, while 82% expect land values to increase over a five-year timeframe, reflecting both near-term pressure and longer-term confidence in Iowa farmland.

On a more positive livestock note, farmers had record monthly cattle feedlot returns in 2025, but strong demand and pricing, combined with low inventory, have driven up replacement costs for steers and limited farmers’ ability to grow their herds.

While not yet mirroring the severity of the 1980s farm crisis, researchers say that both short- and long-term challenges loom large. Inflation, tariffs, trade, labor, the Farm Bill, the Iran War, screwworm all add to uncertainty and risk and its impact on profits making it harder to plan.

In 2024, Iowa ranked second among all states in total commodity export value at $13.7 billion, underscoring the importance of strong, reliable trade agreements for farmers and the markets they serve.

As agriculture remains one of Iowa’s largest economic drivers at one-fifth of the state’s annual GDP, researchers say the downturn is affecting not only farmers but also rural businesses and communities that depend on agriculture. Researchers emphasized the importance of the study helping to quantify what farm families are experiencing and why Iowa’s agricultural economy matters to every Iowan.

Young exhibitors brought a lot of smiles to the crowd at the Henry County Fair Poultry, Rabbit, Calf, Sheep, & Goat Costume Contest—and left us pondering things like, “How do you get a t-shirt on a calf, goat, or sheep? And, how did they get that chicken to stay in a stroller?!”

KILJ congratulates all the exhibitors for their creative signage, props, and costumes!

 

CALF

Champion – Violet Smith and her calf as “Old Mcdonalds’ Hamburger and Fries.”

Most Creative – Madelynn Nelson and her calf, Rocket, as “Student and Teacher.”

Most Humorous – Kaylee Roth and her calf as “Gingerbread Baker and Cookie.”

 

GOAT

Champion – Lynnix McMullin and her goat as the “Masters Golfer and Caddy.”

Most Creative – Loren Morin, “The G.O.A.T” (Greatest of All Time) Ice Hockey Player & “A goat.”

Most Humorous – Lily Syfert and her goat, Melania, as the “Graduates.”

 

SHEEP

Champion – Scarlett Farmer and her sheep as “Montana Grizzlies.”

Most Creative – Mason Trinidad and his sheep as “Cops and Robbers.”

Most Humorous – Stella Farmer and her sheep as “Iowa Hawkeyes.”

Best Team – Kylee Penfield and her sheep as “Cowgirl with Horse.”

 

POULTRY & RABBIT

Champion – Beckham Burden & Briyele Burden as “Farmer & Tractor” rabbit.

Most Creative – Averie Wagner with her “Grass Hula Skirt” and lei chicken (Heihei).

Most Humorous – Remington Moore as the Colonel and his “KFC Bucket” chicken.

Best Team – Olivia Francy & Kya Heaton with their “Baby Doll Stroller & Car Seat” chickens.

 

A big THANKS to the following sponsors for partnering with us to bring you our Henry County Fair coverage: CB Welding & Service, Chem Gro, DMC Regional Waste Commission, Five Star Community Credit Union, and Gamrath Doyle Vens Insurance.

HK Solutions crews will begin cleaning and inspecting sanitary and storm sewer lines throughout Mt. Pleasant—starting late Monday morning, July 20^th, near the intersection of Winfield Avenue and Broadway Street, with a large storm sewer.

Using specialized equipment and closed-circuit television cameras, crews will remove roots and other obstructions while inspecting the condition of sewer pipes. The work requires large trucks and can be noisy.

Because crews will need to access manholes and stormwater intakes located in the streets, temporary traffic delays are possible. Drivers are asked to slow down, use caution, and watch for workers and equipment.

Additional work is planned in the following areas:

• Alley between Marion and Van Buren streets, from Henry to Saunders streets (sanitary sewer)
• West Saunders Street near Hearth & Home (storm sewer)
• Washington Street between Locust and Walnut streets (storm sewer)
• Harrison Place south of Webster Street (sanitary sewer)
• Alter First Addition and Pine Circle subdivisions (sanitary sewer)
• South of Bell Drive and east of Kinney Court (sanitary sewer)

The order and timing of the work may change as the project progresses. The length of the project will depend on the condition of each sewer line and the amount of cleaning needed before inspections can be completed. Work could continue beyond next week if necessary.

The City of Mount Pleasant thanks residents for their patience and cooperation during this important maintenance project.

The City of Mount Pleasant is reminding residents that Norris Asphalt is completing a street improvement project on North Harrison Street between Monroe Street and Madison Street.

The affected section of North Harrison Street will be closed today, Friday, July 17, while crews mill the existing roadway. The street will reopen for the weekend and close again on Tuesday, July 21, while crews complete the asphalt overlay.

Drivers should use an alternate route and exercise caution near the work area. The project schedule is weather dependent and may be subject to change.

The City appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation while these improvements are completed.