The Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Association recently announced candidates for the organizations 2025 royalty. The cattlemen’s association will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, March 15.
Beef Queen candidates
Madelynn Dahl is the daughter of Mike and Carri Dahl. She is a sophomore at Decorah High School, and she is involved in FFA, 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 FFA and through the Youth Beef Team, including Diamond and Gold Level honors from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation.
Dahl 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 aims to raise awareness of beef production and connect with local farming communities while developing her leadership skills.
In addition to her agricultural activities, Dahl works at Fisk’s Farm and Home and has been a dance instructor for four years. She has also gained organizational and customer service skills through her two years of experience as a waitress.
Dahl’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. Dahl plans to pursue a degree in Ag Business or Animal Science and continue growing her herd and involvement in agriculture.
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 promoting the beef industry. In 2022, she received the Winneshiek County Cattlemen Beef Opportunity Grant, allowing her to start her own beef herd. Hageman is also involved with the Iowa Simmental Association, Winneshiek County Saddle Club, Co-Champions 4-H Club, and South Winneshiek FFA. Additionally, she participates in volleyball and is an honor roll student.
As Beef Queen, Hageman hopes to represent her community and promote the beef industry. She plans to organize a grilling event at her school during May Beef Month or at a home sporting event to engage her peers and share beef information. Hageman’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.
Hageman plans to pursue a degree in Ag Business at NICC and continue her involvement in agriculture. She helps manage her family’s farm and hopes to stay involved in the agricultural industry while furthering her education. Alayna Hageman is a dedicated candidate for the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen Royalty.
Haylee Hanson, a junior at Turkey Valley High School, is the daughter of Morrie and Jess Monroe and Scott and Chena Deutmeyer. She is involved in a wide range of activities, including Student Senate, FFA, 4-H, basketball, Junior Auxiliary, IJBBA, the Iowa Holstein Association and ICA. Her dedication to these organizations shows her strong commitment to both leadership and the agricultural community.
Growing up with cattle and agriculture, Hanson has developed a deep passion for the beef industry. She 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 at a local nursing home, gaining valuable experience in healthcare and service.
Hanson 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, Hanson helps with various aspects of her family’s cattle operations, including keeping records, administering vaccinations, sorting and feeding cattle and maintaining equipment. She also cares for the show cattle, which she takes great pride in. Looking to the future, Hanson plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to pursue a graduate degree in athletic training while continuing to grow her family’s beef farm.
Little Miss Cowgirl
McKinnley McConnell is a 9-year-old student at St. Benedict Catholic School and the daughter of Regan and Tara McConnell. McConnell enjoys gymnastics, riding horses, dancing and farming with her dad. As a Clover Kid with the Hesper Helpers 4-H club, McConnell is already developing 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 our daily lives.
As a candidate for the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen Royalty, McConnell’s goal is to educate her peers about beef production and the role it plays in our community. She is involved in her family’s farming operation, where they custom feed cattle, have a small herd and grow and harvest corn and hay. McConnell 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 is a 9-year-old student at Mabel Canton Schools. She is the daughter of Steve Yoder, Nichole and Kevin Hotvedt. Yoder 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 it has always been a part of her life. Yoder loves cows and is excited about the opportunity to teach others about beef production.
As a candidate for the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen Royalty, Yoder’s goal is to promote the beef industry by visiting schools to educate students about beef and its importance. She is already actively involved in her family’s cow/calf operation, where she helps with bottle calves and assists with sorting and checking cows and calves. Yoder is excited to continue growing her knowledge of the beef industry and share her love of cows with others.
Little Mr. Cowhand
Gavyn Hageman is a 9-year-old student at St. Teresa of Calcutta in Ossian and the son of Trevor and Tori Hageman. Hageman enjoys farming, playing baseball and basketball, driving tractors, working with his fair cows, watching hockey and spending time with his cousins on the farm. He is an active member of the Winneshiek County Co Champions 4-H Club and the Winneshiek County Saddle Club. Hageman is passionate about the beef industry and wants to share his love for farming with others.
As a candidate for Mr. Cowhand, Hageman 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. Hageman 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. Hageman dreams of having his own beef farm and planting his own crops in the future.
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