The 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Beef Banquet will be held Saturday, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. at the Community Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds in Decorah. The meal, featuring prime rib, is set to begin at 6 p.m. 

      Following the meal, awards will be presented and royalty will be crowned. There will also be both live and silent auctions throughout the evening to benefit the scholarship program.

      Candidates for this year’s Winneshiek County Beef Queen, Little Miss Cowgirl, and Little Mr. Cowhand are as follows.

Beef Queen

Madelynn Dahl

      Madelynn Dahl, is the daughter of Mike and Carri Dahl. The Decorah High School sophomore is involved in µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, Youth Beef Team, Luther League, and the Hesper Helpers 4-H Club. She has been a member of the Simmental Association since 2022 and has earned multiple awards in µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø and through the Youth Beef Team, including Diamond and Gold Level honors from the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation.

      Madelynn is passionate about promoting beef production and educating others on the industry. She enjoys spending time with her cattle and values the teamwork in the show ring. As beef queen, she would aim to raise awareness of beef production and connect with local farming communities while developing her leadership skills.

      In addition to agricultural activities, Madelynn works at Fisk’s Farm and Home and has been a dance instructor for four years. In addition, she has gained organizational and customer service skills through her two years of experience as a waitress.

      Madelynn’s family has supported her in building her own beef herd, starting with a calf she received in 2018. She owns a Foundation Simmental cow purchased through the Winneshiek County Cattlemen Beef Opportunity Grant.

      Madelynn plans to pursue a degree in ag business or animal science, and continue growing her herd and involvement in agriculture.

Alayna Hageman

      Alayna Hageman, a junior at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar, is the daughter of Trevor and Tori Hageman. She serves as vice president of the Winneshiek County Youth Beef Team and has been recognized by the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation at the Iowa State Fair for her work in promoting the beef industry.

      In 2022, Alayna received the Winneshiek County Cattlemen Beef Opportunity Grant, allowing her to start her own beef herd. In addition, she is involved with the Iowa Simmental Association, Winneshiek County Saddle Club, Co-Champions 4-H Club, and South Winneshiek µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø. Additionally, she participates in volleyball and is an honor roll student.

      As beef queen, Alayna hopes to represent the community and promote the beef industry. She plans to organize a grilling event at school during May Beef Month or at a home sporting event to engage her peers and share beef information.

      Alayna’s family operates a farm near Ossian, with 100 cow-calf pairs, 150 market beef, and 50 dairy steers. She also manages her own Sim Angus herd, which she started with the beef grant. On the farm, she helps care for her cattle, assists with chores, vaccinates cattle, and supports harvest tasks.

      Alayna plans to pursue a degree in ag business at Northeast Iowa Community College and continue her involvement in agriculture. 

Haylee Hanson

      Haylee Hanson, a Turkey Valley High School junior, is the daughter of Morrie and Jess Monroe, and Scott and Chena Deutmeyer. With a strong commitment to both leadership and the agricultural community, she is involved in a wide range of activities including Student Senate, µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, 4-H, basketball, Junior Auxiliary, IJBBA, Iowa Holstein Association, and ICA. 

     Haylee enjoys spending time with her cattle and working on the farm alongside her family. In addition to her farm responsibilities, Haylee works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a local nursing home, gaining valuable experience in healthcare and service.

      Haylee is determined to promote the beef industry by working closely with current beef producers and agricultural businesses. She aims to expand her knowledge of the industry and increase awareness of its importance. Her goal is to engage with local schools and communities to educate them about the beef industry and its impact on Iowa’s economy.

      At home, Haylee helps with various aspects of her family’s cattle operations, including keeping records, administering vaccinations, sorting and feeding cattle, and maintaining equipment. In addition, she cares for the show cattle, which she takes great pride in.

Haylee plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa and pursue a graduate degree in athletic training, while continuing to grow her family’s beef farm.

Little Miss Cowgirl

McKinnley McConnell

      McKinnley McConnell, daughter of Regan and Tara McConnell, is a student at St. Benedict Catholic School. The nine-year-old enjoys gymnastics, riding horses, dancing, and farming with her dad. As a Clover Kid, with the Hesper Helpers 4-H Club, McKinnley is continuing to develop a strong passion for agriculture, particularly the beef industry. She enjoys spending time on the farm and is eager to teach others about the importance of beef and agriculture in their daily lives.

      As a candidate for the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen Royalty, McKinnley’s goal is to educate her peers about beef production and the role it plays in the community. She is involved in her family’s farming operation, where they custom feed cattle, have a small herd, and harvest corn and hay. McKinnley helps with various farm tasks, including feeding her steer, cleaning and bedding cattle, opening gates, and hauling bales. She dreams of starting her own beef herd and looks forward to sharing her passion for agriculture with others.

Tianna Yoder

      Tianna Yoder, daughter of Steve Yoder, Nichole and Kevin Hotvedt, is a student at Mabel Canton Schools. Tianna is actively involved in her family’s cow/calf operation, where she helps with bottle calves, and sorting and checking cows and calves. The nine-year-old enjoys taking care of calves, shopping and dancing. She is involved in 4-H as part of the Hesper Helpers and has a strong passion for the beef industry. 

      As a candidate for the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen Royalty, Tianna’s goal is to promote the beef industry by visiting schools to educate students about the importance of the beef industry. Tianna is excited to continue growing her knowledge of the beef industry and share her love of cows with others.

Little Mr. Cowhand

Gavyn Hageman

      Gavyn Hageman, son of Trevor and Tori Hageman, is a student at St. Teresa of Calcutta in Ossian. The nine-year-old enjoys farming, playing baseball and basketball, driving tractors, working with his fair cows, watching hockey, and spending time with his cousins on the farm. An active member of the Winneshiek County Co-Champions 4-H Club and Winneshiek County Saddle Club, Gavyn is passionate about the beef industry and wants to share his love for farming with others.

      As a candidate for Mr. Cowhand, Gavyn hopes to promote the beef industry and engage with schools and communities. He suggests that schools serve beef sticks as a snack to help educate others about the importance of beef.

      Gavyn is involved in his family's farming operation, where they have 100 cow-calf pairs, feed 150 market beef, and 50 dairy steers. He helps with feeding calves and cats, vaccinating cattle, cleaning pens, bedding cattle, and assisting with harvest tasks. Gavyn dreams of having his own beef farm and planting his own crops.

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