The 2025 Henry County Fair Sheep Show brought fierce competition and top-notch livestock to the ring, but one name rose to the top across nearly every category: Tate Beard. With a sweep of major honors in both breeding and market divisions, Beard solidified a standout fair season marked by precision, preparation, and consistency.

In the Commercial Breeding Ewe division, Tate Beard took both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors, setting the tone for a dominant showing.

The Champion Yearling Ewe award went to Emerson Syfert, with Chase Conrad earning Reserve Champion Yearling Ewe.

In the Market Lamb competitions:

• Champion Speckled Face Market Lamb was awarded to Zenlynn Lee, who also claimed Reserve Champion Speckled Face Market Lamb in a tight class.

• Champion Natural Market Lamb went to Tate Beard, while Kenlee Buffington took Reserve Champion Natural Market Lamb.

Weight class champions included:

• Lightweight Champion – Coen Buffington

• Lightweight Reserve Champion – Zenlynn Lee

• Medium weight Champion – Tate Beard

• Medium weight Reserve Champion – Kenlee Buffington

• Heavyweight Champion – Tate Beard

• Heavyweight Reserve Champion – Tate Beard

Beard’s winning streak continued with both the Grand Champion Market Lamb and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, plus an incredible sweep of third and fourth place market lamb rankings.

In special recognition categories:

• County Born Champion – Kenlee Buffington

• Home born Champion – Kenlee Buffington

The showmanship divisions honored skilled handlers across age groups:

• Senior Showmanship – Zenlynn Lee

• Intermediate Showmanship – Coen Buffington

• Junior Showmanship – Alley Blow

The 2025 Henry County Fair showcased an outstanding lineup of youth exhibitors during this year’s goat show, with local 4-H and FFA members competing across dairy, breeding, meat, and showmanship divisions. Judges recognized excellence in animal care, presentation, and project knowledge throughout the event.

Breeding Division Standouts

In the dairy division, Lael Coffin earned the title of Champion Dairy Goat, while James Coffin secured Reserve Champion

The Yearling Doe Champion title went to Beatrice Anderson, with Aubrey Lloyd named as Reserve Champion Yearling Doe.

The junior doe classes saw Colin Anderson take Champion Junior Doe, while Beatrice Anderson continued her strong showing with Reserve Champion Junior Doe.

Following the breeding classes, Grand Champion Breeding Doe was awarded to Colin Anderson,

Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Doe: Beatrice Anderson

nderson also rounded out the top rankings with Third Place Overall, followed by Aubrey Lloyd in Fourth Place Overall.

Showmanship Honors

Goat showmanship tested exhibitors on their handling skills, knowledge of animal care, and poise in the ring.

• Junior Showmanship went to Aubrey Lloyd.

• Intermediate Showmanship was awarded to Abigail Lloyd.

• Senior Showmanship was claimed by Beatrice Anderson, who excelled across multiple divisions throughout the show.

Meat Goat Champions

The meat goat competition was divided by weight class:

• Champion Lightweight Meat Goat: Tye Allison-Alter

• Reserve Champion Lightweight: Ava Kempker

• Champion Medium weight: Colin Anderson

• Reserve Medium weight: Abigail Lloyd

• Champion Heavyweight: Beatrice Anderson

• Reserve Heavyweight: Aubrey Lloyd

In the special recognition category, Abigail Lloyd also took home the title of Champion County Born Meat Goat, representing local breeding success.

The Henry County goat show served as a display of hard work, dedication, and animal stewardship. Congratulations to all the youth participants who made this year’s event one to remember.

The rabbit barn was full of excitement at the 2025 Henry County Fair as local youth exhibitors presented their carefully raised animals in front of a knowledgeable judge and an eager crowd. This year’s competition featured strong entries across all categories, from fancy breeds to commercial classes.

2025 Henry County Fair Rabbit Show Results

• Best Breeding Pair: MaKynna Carpenter

• Best Commercial Rabbit: MaKynna Carpenter

• Reserve Commercial Rabbit: Emery Job

• Best Fancy Rabbit: Morgan Meyer

• Reserve Fancy Rabbit: Morgan Meyer

MOUNT PLEASANT — The poultry barn was full of energy and enthusiasm as youth exhibitors gathered for the 2025 Henry County Fair Poultry Show, judged by Bart Price. Competitors showcased a variety of birds, from broilers to roosters, with awards handed out across both project-based and showmanship categories.

Top honors in the breeding bird division went to Quintry Lee, who was awarded Best Breeding Birds, with James Coffin taking Reserve Best Breeding Birds.

Quintry Lee also had an impressive showing in the meat production category, winning Best Meat Production as well as Best of Class Special Broiler Project.

Courtney Smith earned Reserve Champion honors in the Special Broiler Project, while Olivia Francie stood out with her entry in egg production, taking home the award for Best Egg Production.

Other notable awards included:

• Best Rooster – Emery Job

• Best Home Hatch – Kinnley Nichting

• Educational Project Award Winner – Avery Wagner

In showmanship, where exhibitors are judged on their knowledge and handling skills, three champions were named:

• Junior Showmanship Champion – Ava Kempker

• Intermediate Showmanship Champion – Emmett Garza

• Senior Showmanship Champion – Natalie Francy

The show reflected months of hard work, care, and dedication by 4-H and FFA youth across the county, offering a strong display of agricultural excellence and passion for poultry projects.

Despite steady rain falling over the Henry County Fairgrounds, the competition was fierce and spirits remained high in the show ring during the 2025 Market Beef Show. Local youth presented top-quality cattle with pride and precision as Judge Keaton Lain sorted through class after class of impressive animals. After a full day of judging, champions were named across each division, culminating in the announcement of the overall Grand and Reserve Champion Market Beef.

Grand Champion Market Beef

Libby Myers

Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef

Katie Miller

Grand Champion Breeding Heifer

Morgan Meyer

Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Heifer

Katie miller

Champion Crossbred Heifer

Morgan Meyer

Division Champions:

Champion Market Heifer

Aubrey Lloyd
Reserve Champion Market Heifer

Justin Knipfer

Champion Lightweight Market Steer

Grant Anderson

Reserve: Olivia Francy

Champion Mediumweight Market Steer

Libby Myers

Reserve: Kylie Lloyd

Champion Heavyweight Market Steer

Katie Miller
Reserve: Elyssa Graber

Final Thoughts

Judge Keaton Lain praised the depth and quality of the cattle shown, stating, “This show had tremendous consistency from top to bottom. These youth have done their homework — the structure, performance, and presentation today were second to none.”

Congratulations to all exhibitors on a strong showing at the 2025 Henry County Fair Market Beef Show!

For the second year in a row, Libby Myers has claimed the coveted title of Grand Champion in the Market Beef division at the Henry County Fair.

Representing the New London 4-H Club and attending Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Libby is no stranger to the winner’s circle. With her parents, Tim and Brandy Myers, proudly supporting her, she delivered another standout performance in the ring—despite the day’s wet and muddy conditions.

Earning back-to-back titles is no small feat, and Libby’s win is a testament to her hard work, preparation, and dedication to her project. Her market beef entry stood out once again to the judge, rising to the top of a competitive class.

The champion isn’t done yet. Libby plans to compete in the Showdown in a few weeks—a regional competition that draws elite exhibitors from across the area.

With two straight Grand Champion titles under her belt, Libby Myers continues to build a strong legacy in the beef show world—one determined step at a time.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Morgan, and she capped it off in style — taking the top spot in the Breeding Beef show with her heifer, Gloria.

Morgan has been a constant presence in the show rings all week long, and her success is the result of months of hard work. From early mornings to late-night feedings and preparations, this fair week has been the reward for her dedication.

Morgan also won champion Crossbred Heifer during the Beef Show

As she looks ahead to her final events of the fair, Morgan will be remembered not just for the banners she earned, but for the poise and passion she brought to every class she entered. Congratulations to Morgan and Gloria — your 2025 Breeding Beef Champion!

Des Moines County, Iowa – A Burlington woman is dead and another injured following a single-vehicle crash late Thursday night on Des Moines County Highway 99.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 11:03 p.m. on July 18, near the address of 16015 Des Moines County Highway 99. A 2008 Kia Sorento, driven by 20-year-old Kelsey Lou Orth of Burlington, was traveling southbound at excessive speeds when Orth lost control of the vehicle.

Investigators say the vehicle entered the west ditch near a residential driveway, struck a culvert, and was launched into the air. The SUV rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof. Orth, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was transported by Prugh Funeral Service to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Ava Grace McCulloch of West Burlington, was wearing a seat belt and survived the crash. She was transported by the Burlington Fire Department to Great River Medical Center with undisclosed injuries.

The vehicle was towed from the scene by Campbell’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. No additional vehicles were involved, and no other injuries were reported.

Trooper Hudson of Post 13 is leading the investigation.

Authorities continue to urge drivers to obey posted speed limits and always wear a seat belt.