Young Livestock Producers Get a Start with Farmers Union Herd Builder Program

By Lura Roti

Six South Dakota farm and ranch youth received the opportunity to expand their meat goat and cattle herds during the 2025 Western Jr. Livestock Show thanks to South Dakota Farmers Union's Herd Builder program.

"Helping young people interested in making their future in livestock production is among the many ways our organization is able to support the future of South Dakota family farmers and ranchers," said Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union.

The Herd Builder Program selected youth participating in Western Jr. based on an application and their family's involvement in Farmers Union. Six youth selected are Coy Petersen, Chamberlain; Huntley Urban, Kimball; Evelyn Bunker, Reliance; Jade Grieves, Hermosa; Mayli Forman, Huron and Alexander Brixey, Bison.

"Costs associated with breeding stock make it difficult for young people to get started, and like any investment, the sooner you begin, the better off you will be," Hofhenke said.

Get to Know the 2025 Herd Builders

Coy Petersen, Chamberlain

Third-generation livestock producer, Coy Petersen loves caring for livestock on his family's farm/ranch.

"I don't like being cooped up indoors, so I go outside and work whenever I can," said Petersen of caring for cattle, meat goats and crops.

At 13, Petersen is involved in all aspects of the livestock husbandry: feeding, giving shots, calving, training show animals and helping his dad, Calvin, selecting genetics to improve the next generation.

Petersen received a heifer through the Herd Builder program. "I am looking forward to having my own genetics and building my own herd," Petersen said.

Petersen plans to save the money he earns from the sale of offspring for college.

Huntley Urban, Kimball

Huntley Urban has been building his cattle herd since he was 9. Thanks to the heifer he received through the Herd Builder Program, the 12-year-old now has five breeding animals.

"Expanding my herd is a slow process because the price for cattle is so high right now," said Urban who is a fifth-generation livestock producer. "I want to thank Farmers Union for giving me this opportunity because it helps keep young people like me in the ag industry."

In addition to helping his dad, Ryan, on the family's farm/ranch, Urban works to expand his livestock knowledge because he competes in livestock judging. During Western Jr. he and his teammates (including his older brother, Trace) placed first.

Evelyn Bunker, Reliance

Growing up helping her parents, Bryan and Amber on the family's ranch, Evelyn became inspired to build a herd of her own, but the cost of purchasing a heifer was too great. So, receiving a heifer through the Herd Builder Program made a long-term goal a reality for this high school junior.

"This heifer gives me a hands-on experience caring for my own animal, I am so excited for when I get to calve her," said Bunker, who plans on doing quite a bit of genetic research before AIing her heifer.

This experience will help Bunker with another goal - to become a large animal veterinarian.

"I plan to use the money I earn from selling calves to help pay for college," Bunker said. "After vet school, I want to return to Lyman County because there is a shortage of large animal veterinarians."

Jade Grieves, Hermosa

Third-grader Jade Grieves loves taking care of his goats.

"Goats have funky personalities. I like how friendly they are. They are fun to watch and fun to play with," Grieves, 9, explained. "I am thankful Farmers Union did this because I wanted more goats, but as a kid I can't afford to buy one."

Today, with the addition of the meat goat doe Grieves received through the Herd Builder Program, he now has two goats. "I am waiting to name her because I want to get to know her first."

The Kids Inc 4-H Club member plans to use the money he earns from her offspring to expand his goat herd further. "I want to get more loveable goats."

Mayli Forman, Huron

Sixth-grader Mayli Forman has always had a dream of owning a herd of goats.

"I like goats because they are small and easy to handle and I think meat goats look really cool," Forman said.

She has been building her meat goat herd for three years now and said she is excited about the Herd Builder doe she received because the genetics will strengthen the future of her herd.

In addition to caring for her goat herd, Forman also enjoys showing goats.

"Showing goats is fun and if I ever struggle my dad helps me through it and helps me improve my mistakes," said Forman of her dad, Rocky.

Forman plans to use some the income she earns from offspring to save for college. She plans to become a veterinarian.

Alexander Brixey, Bison

When Alexander Brixey applied for the Herd Builder award, the 13-year-old said he was eager to improve his herd genetics.

"This doe has genetics that are better than my current herd," Brixey said.

Including the Herd Builder doe, Brixey has four goats.

As an eighth-grader, Brixey is interested in genetics and livestock composition because he is an FFA livestock judge. Brixey and his team qualified to compete in the State FFA Livestock Judging competition in 2025.

"Through livestock judging I get to improve my terminology knowledge and learn about different ways to better my herd."

In addition to meat goats, Brixey also raises sheep and helps his dad, James and mom, Julia care for the cattle they raise and feed in a feedlot.

"I have learned a lot of patience working with livestock," Brixey said.

After high school, Brixey plans to become a veterinarian.

For more than a century, South Dakota Farmers Union has invested in youth leadership, personal development and farm safety educational programming. Hundreds of South Dakota youth attend day and week-long camps during the summer months and thousands receive farm safety education year-round thanks to the organization's interactive Farm Safety Trailer. To learn more, visit www.sdfu.org.