BARRHEAD - It was another very busy long day for members, leaders and parents of 4-H members May 29 at the Barrhead Ag Barn for the 59th-annual Barrhead & District 4-H Beef and Sheep Achievement Day show and sale.
This year, three clubs participated, the T&M Multi 4-H Club, Meadowview Multi 4-H Club and Freedom-Naples Multi 4-H Club.
The day began early, especially for those who had any distance to travel and bring their animals in, with weigh in starting at 6:30 a.m., then shortly after 9 a.m. opening ceremonies were held with introduction and presentation of the clubs. The busy day began with judging of the beef female and steer classes by beef conformation judge Brent Stewart and beef showmanship judge Kelsey Thompson.
Between the beef show and sheep show, the eight Cleaver members from Freedom-Naples and T&M clubs provided a little fun for themselves and the audience leading calves and lambs, with both members and animals dressed up for the Cleaver Costume Class.
The show wound up with the sheep portion, with sheep conformation and showmanship judge Nicole Scheick judging the animals.
Just before sale time in the evening, following supper, the raffle draw and Hall of Fame presentation was made. This year, Isle Van Loon was chosen for the Hall of Fame award. She is a long-time member, leader and supporter of 4-H. With that, the parade of champions took place just before sale time, putting a somewhat dramatic finish to the busy day.
This year’s District Champion Steer title went to Max Mahar of the Freedom-Naples Club. His steer BUD, a Simmental X steer, which probably should have been named BIG BUD, had a sale weight of 1,533 pounds and a finished weight of 1,580 pounds. His initial weight was 682 pounds with an average daily gain (ADG) of 4.22 pounds. He was purchased by Schmidt Livestock for $4.50 per pound.
The District Reserve Grand Champion Steer title went to Kort Hillmer of the T&M Club. His steer TANK had a sale weight of 1,428 pounds and a finished weight of 1,472 pounds. TANK’s initial weight was 700 pounds for a 3.62 pound ADG. Small Power purchased this steer for $4.10 per pound.
Third place steer winner selected this year was Meadowview Multi 4-H member’s Sarah Hodgetts with her steer LOKI. His sale weight was 1,375 pounds, with an initial weight of 656 pounds and a finished weight of 1,418 pounds for an ADG of 3.58 lbs. LOKI sold for $4.20 per pound.
The District Champion Market Lamb was won by Mason Zwicker with his 118 pound sale and finished weight lamb TITAN. This lamb had an initial weight of 54 pounds for an ADG of 0.98 lbs. VJV Auction of Westlock purchased the lamb for $4.50 per lb.
The District Reserve Grand Champion was won by Logan King with his 118-pound lamb, which was purchased by Pine Creek Simmentals and Stalwart Electric for $5.10 per lb.
Parsons Auctions once again conducted the sale of steers and lambs, with Jeff Parsons calling the bids and his dad, Charles assisting.
This year, 21 steers from the three clubs sold for a total of $130,572.90 of a total weight of 28,328 lbs to average $4.609 per pound. The steer average weight was 1,348.95 pounds.
There were six market lambs to sell for a total of $4,578.40 on 658 pounds for an average of $6.95 per pound. The final sales of the evening was six market rabbits weighing a total of 24.375 pounds and selling for $134.28 to average $5.50 per pound.
