From barns to banners
Recognizing the hard work of exhibitors at the 2026 Tennessee Junior Beef Expo
Story and photos by Jana Owen
Early-morning feeding. Late-night washing. Long weekends walking and working with their cattle. This is just a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes effort put into exhibiting livestock at the Tennessee State Beef Expo. This year’s Expo was held July 10-11 in Lebanon and boasted 122 youth exhibitors from 35 counties across the state. There were 229 heifers and steers exhibited over the competitive weekend.
Gavin Kuhn, a fourth-generation cattleman from Coffee County, received an exciting 14th birthday present when his commercial heifer was named Supreme Champion Heifer.
“There’s no feeling like getting picked to win,” Gavin said. “It’s such an adrenaline rush. It feels like all the hard work has finally paid off.”
When asked what he’s learned from showing, Gavin gave a one-word response: Patience. He had a whole crew of support, including his mom, Lacee Kuhn, who said, “Gavin is out there working with his heifers every day and puts a lot of work into it.”
Gavin’s grandfather, Danny Anderson, started showing when he was 10 years old and was proud to see his family’s hard work.
“It’s an experience,” he said. “They work their cattle and wash them about every day. Anytime you can go to a show and see kids do good, that’s what matters,” Danny mentioned. “I’ve grown up in it, been around it all my life. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Gavin’s younger sister, Leah, is looking forward to following in her family’s footsteps.
“I like cows, and I’m going to start showing next year!” she said. After the championship drive, Leah flashed a huge grin as she showed off her brother’s new banner.
“She’s ready to get at it and show her brothers up!” Danny said.
Meanwhile, exhibitors Shelby and Weston Thames of Williamson County racked up several awards. This year’s Expo was a memorable one for Shelby; it was her last one after showing for nine years. Her grandfather was proud to mention her success.
“She’s going to be a vet!” he said. “She’s already been accepted into Mississippi State Veterinary School with early entry.”
Agriculture has been running through their family’s veins for a while. Their great-grandad, James Perry, began their agricultural endeavors long ago by purchasing cattle and becoming a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. Their grandad, DeWayne Perry, was a UT Extension agent and ran a successful program for 40 years. When talking about showing livestock, he mentioned, “It's just a great thing to do with your family!”
It was only natural for his daughter, Mandy, to start showing and pass that passion down to her kids, Shelby and Weston.
“It’s been good for the kids,” said Theresa, the grandmother of Shelby and Weston. “They’ve been involved in all the aspects of 4-H – public speaking and livestock judging. Shelby even competed at the National Western Roundup for public speaking. She used to be so shy when she was little, and now she does well with public speaking.”
Exhibiting livestock is also a family tradition for Unionville’s Josie Ozburn, Fifth Overall Heifer exhibitor. She started showing when she was five years old, following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents. She’s had a lot of fun moments at Expo, including her first year, when she won the showmanship competition and was quick to supply her take on the lessons she has learned
“Just don’t give up and keep trying harder,” she said.
In addition to the awards and competitive experiences, Beef Expo also offers competitors a unique opportunity to serve families in need through a program organized by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA). This year, three of the top steers were purchased by various agricultural companies for harvest, and the beef was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. During the market steer championship drive, TCA Executive Vice President Dale Parker thanked the generous sponsors and spoke about TCA’s initiative to make a difference in Tennesseans' lives.
The Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation was proud to continue its decades-long tradition as a general sponsor of Beef Expo. Congratulations to all exhibitors on all your hard work and dedication to Tennessee agriculture.
Fourth Overall Heifer exhibitor Kutler Tinin of Lawrence County was excited to share this winning moment with friends and family. Kutler brought home champions in both the Chi-influenced and Percentage Simmental breed divisions.
Beef Expo results: Showmanship Senior Level II — Avery Rowlett, Wayne, champion; Jake Ozburn, Bedford, reserve. Senior Level I — Madisyn Young, White, champion; Ivy McGillis, Wilson, reserve. Junior-High — Gavin Kuhn, Coffee, champion; Laine Whipple, Henry, reserve. Junior — Josie Ozburn, Bedford, champion; Spencer Wright, Wilson, reserve. Explorer — Brody Locke, Smith, champion; Collins Holder, Wilson, reserve. Dairy Steer Show Holstein — Rylei Glandon, Anderson, champion; Joseph Henry, McMinn, reserve. Jersey — Sadie Gray, Anderson, champion; Briley Gray, Anderson, reserve. Market Steer Show Angus — Roland Springer, Wilson, champion; Blake Schoolfield, Weakley, reserve. Charolais Composite — Elizabeth McCollum, Williamson, champion. Hereford — Lucas Berner, Obion, champion; Parker McDade, Henry, reserve. Maine-Anjou — Lucas Berner, Obion, champion; Alex Cunningham, Washington, reserve. Shorthorn — Silas Bomar, Henry, champion; Curtis Bomar, Henry, reserve. Shorthorn Plus — Luke Norwood, Henry, champion; Harmon Locke, Williamson, reserve. Percentage Simmental — Meredith McBride, Coffee, champion; Cashton Ochsner, Overton, reserve. Crossbred — Michael Barnett, Montgomery, champion; Gatlin Gulish, Henry, reserve. Prospect — Kara Brooks, Smith, champion; Brendlee Johnston, Claiborne, reserve. All Other Breeds — Harmon Locke, Williamson, champion. Top 5 Market Steers — Michael Barnett, Montgomery, supreme champion; Lucas Berner, Obion, reserve; Elizabeth McCollum, Williamson, third overall; Harmon Locke, Williamson, fourth overall; Alex Cunningham, Washington, fifth overall. County Group of 5 — Henry, champion; Williamson A, reserve; Williamson B, third; Claiborne, fourth; Anderson, fifth. Heifer Show Angus — Avery Rowlett, Wayne, champion; Spencer Wright, Wilson, reserve. Black Hereford — Hannah-Jane Davis, Giles, champion and reserve. Charolais — Cashton Ochsner, Overton, champion; Logan Lee, Monroe, reserve. Chi-Influenced — Kutler Tinin, Lawrence, champion; Ethan Bartee, Robertson, reserve. Gelbvieh — Luke Barnett, Montgomery, champion. Hereford — Colton Lee, Fentress, champion; Kenzie Lee, Fentress, reserve. Limousin — Josie Ozburn, Bedford, champion; Jake Ozburn, Bedford, reserve. Maine-Anjou — Kara Brooks, Smith, champion; Madisyn Young, White, reserve. Red Angus — Ivy McGillis, Wilson, champion; Emily Curtin, Wilson, reserve. Shorthorn — Cole Huebner, Obion, champion; Sam Teeple, White, reserve. Shorthorn Plus — Baylann Giles, Marshall, champion; Ruby McClure, Henry, reserve. Simmental — Emma Locke, Smith, champion; Marshal Hull, Trousdale, reserve. Percentage Simmental — Kutler Tinin, Lawrence, champion; Ellie Hensley, Unicoi, reserve. All Other Breeds — Justin Wiggins, Monroe, champion. Commercial — Gavin Kuhn, Coffee, champion; Emeri Whipple, Henry, reserve. Top 5 Heifers — Gavin Kuhn, Coffee, supreme champion; Kara Brooks, Smith, reserve; Avery Rowlett, Wayne, third overall; Kutler Tinin, Lawrence, fourth overall; Josie Ozburn, Bedford, fifth overall. County Group of 5 — Wilson, champion; Giles, reserve; McMinn, third; Marshall, fourth; Monroe, fifth; Bledsoe, sixth; Williamson, seventh. Bred-by Exhibitor Heifer Show Black Hereford — Embry Thurman, Giles, champion & reserve. Hereford — Anderson Varner, White, champion; Addison Alvis, Hawkins, reserve. Maine-Anjou — Audrey Clouse, White, champion. Shorthorn — Curtis Bomar, Henry, champion. Shorthorn Plus — Silas Bomar, Henry, champion; Dallas Bomar, Henry, reserve. Simmental — Abigayle Houser, Bledsoe, champion; Hannah Caldwell, Lincoln, reserve. Percentage Simmental — Marley Luster, McMinn, champion; Bryant Locke, Smith, reserve. Commercial — Marley Luster, McMinn, champion; Audrey Clouse, White, reserve. Top Heifers — Marley Luster, McMinn, supreme champion; Bryant Locke, Smith, reserve supreme. Skillathon Abigayle Houser, Bledsoe, senior level 2; Turner Harville, Smith, senior level 1; Cashton Ochsner, Overton, junior high; Case Haliburton, White, junior; Silas Bomar, Henry, explorer. Premier Exhibitors Market Steer — Dallas Bomar, Henry, senior level 2; Weston Thames, Williamson, senior level 1; Michael Barnett, Montgomery, junior high; Meredith McBride, Coffee, junior; Silas Bomar, Henry, explorer. Commercial Heifer —Ellie Hensley, Unicoi, senior level 2; Bryli Bivens, Monroe, senior level 1; Marley Luster, McMinn, junior high; Case Haliburton, White, junior; Denver Webb, Loudon, explorer. Registered Heifer — Abigayle Houser, Bledsoe, senior level 2; Colton Lee, Fentress, senior level 1; Cashton Ochsner, Overton, junior high; Audrey Kerrigan, McMinn, junior; Baylann Giles, Marshall, explorer. Educational Contests Sales Talk — Josey Caldwell, Sullivan, senior level 2; Ivy McGillis, Wilson, senior level 1; Ashlynn Zavaro, Williamson, junior high; Audrey Kerrigan, McMinn, junior; Landon Hartsfield, Giles, explorer. Poster — Audrey Kerrigan, McMinn, junior; Landon Hartsfield, Giles, explorer. Photo — Grayce Hunigan, Sullivan, junior high; Audrey Kerrigan, McMinn, junior; Landon Hartsfield, Giles, explorer. Graphic Design — Audrey Clouse, White, senior level 2; Madisyn Young, White, senior level 1; Career Development — Shelby Thames, Williamson, senior level 2; Tana Harville, Smith, senior level 1. Team Fitting Contest The champion team consisted of Harmon Locke, Bryant Locke, Gavin Kuhn, and Emma Locke.
Leah Kuhn, right, and her friend, Joanna, were all smiles as they cheered on their older siblings at Beef Expo. Both girls are looking forward to the day they get to step into the show ring!
Brothers Parker and Bennett McDade of Henry County were both first-place winners in their respective classes and competed against each other in the Champion Hereford Steer Drive. Parker has been showing for three years, while Bennett just started showing this year.
A young exhibitor tracks the judge in the show ring.
Shelby, front row left, and Weston Thames, center, of Williamson County successfully competed in both the Central Region Beef Show and State Beef Expo, which were held back-to-back. Their parents and grandparents are very proud of their hard work.
The 2026 Tennessee Junior Beef Expo boasted 122 youth exhibitors from 25 counties across the state who gathered in Lebanon to show their beef projects, while gaining life lessons centered around responsibility, leadership, hard work, dedication, and endurance.
Story by Jana Owen,
Contact jowen@ourcoop.com