May 2007 | Alabama Living
Washington County Junior Livestock Association heifer and steer show participants:
First Row: Payton Williams, Bailey Coaker, Emily Williams, Allison Butts, Parker Thompson, Katie Cotton, and Hannah Sullivan.
Second Row: Hannah Dorman, Andrea Butts, Samuel Turner, Victoria Stewart and Dalton Tate.
The Washington County Junior Livestock Association’s annual steer and heifer show and sale is an opportunity for youth to fulfill the 4-H motto “learning by doing."
On Monday, April 2 the show began at 5 p.m. at the 4-H Arena in Chatom, with the sale following. Twelve youth participated in the event which has been ongoing for more than 35 years. This event is organized by the Washington County Extension office, volunteers and the hard work of the Washington County Junior Livestock Association.
Contestants are judged on showmanship and weight of their steer or heifer. Showman-ship determines how well the youth has prepared their animal for the show and their ability to control it in the ring with the judge. The weight category judges the youth’s heifer or steer that has the highest average daily gain and will yield the highest quality cut of meat.
This year’s judge was Van Smith, a retired agri-science teacher and assistant principal in Billingsley.
Payton Williams of Fruitdale took home the top two trophies: one for Grand Champion Heifer and another for her Grand Champion Steer. Both animals were county-fed and were raised at Stover Farms in Fruitdale. Williams also won first-place ribbons in the following categories: junior showmanship; junior and senior heifer divisions; best county bred heifer and steer; and heavy weight steer.
Other first place winners: Hannah Dorman for first-time showmanship and lightweight steer; Bailey Coaker for reserve champion heifer; Victoria Stewart for highest average daily gain – steer; Dalton Tate for middle weight steer and senior showmanship; and Katie Cotton for middle heavy weight steer and reserve champion steer.
When the show was finished auctioneer Moley Herring got the sale started as local businesses bid on the top steers. Proceeds from each sale go back into the pockets of the young contestants.
This is not just a one-night event. Contestants purchase their steers or heifers and are officially weighed by the end of September. From September until April contestants feed and work with their animals in preparation for the spring show.
The Washington County Junior Livestock Association is composed of about 30 youth and adults. This organization is another “learning by doing” opportunity. Adults and youth work together throughout the year and to plan the spring show. Youth learn how to conduct a meeting, elect officers, and see first-hand what it takes to plan, organize and implement a project. They also help with arena clean-up days. This year they planned a showmanship workshop to help new contestants that had entered the show for the first time.
This event wouldn’t be such a success without the financial support of sponsors. Junior livestock members were challenged to raise funds for the association and show. Bailey Coaker raised more than $800 and received a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart for her hard work.
Clarke-Washington EMC has supported the show and sale for many years. We are proud to be involved with an organization like Washington County Extension office and the Washington County Junior Livestock Association that promote responsibility and confidence in our youth. Congratulations to all the winners.