It was golden, but it wasn’t a sunset but lots of sunshine in the smile of first year 4-H member Chloe Hein of Golden Sunset 4-H.
After selecting her Black Angus steer WEST the Golden Sunset club champion, the trio of judges — Colin Campbell, Travis Olson and Chad Meunier — declared it the best of the show of 59 steers, and handed Chloe the title of district grand champion steer.
It was the crowning moment for Chloe and a great end to the steer show for her, held at North Central Livestock Exchange at Clyde June 2 — the second day of the annual two-day Westlock District 4-H Beef Achievement Day Show and Sale.
The female show and awards were held the previous day, June 1.
Her steer started out the 4-H year at weigh-in day at 905 pounds and finished the year at 1,670 pounds for a 3.51 pound ADG.
At the afternoon sale, Brown’s Chrysler purchased the champion steer for $4 per pound; a total of $6,480, a very profitable way to start her 4-H years.
Pembina West 4-H member Haley Chapotelle meanwhile was equally happy as she captured club champion with her steer BARNEY.
Later in the show, at district level, she was chosen reserve grand champion.
Hayley’s Simmental steer began the 4-H year at 785 pounds and finished up at 1,426 pounds for a 3.01 pound ADG.
Westlock Truck Parts also paid $4 per pound for the 1,426 pound steer, or a total of $5,704.
This year, there were 59 steers shown and sold from the five beef clubs in the district —Golden Sunset, Double Diamond, Flatbush, Sunniebend and Pembina West.
Unofficially, the total weight of steers this year was 76,207 pounds; an average of 1,291.6 pounds each.
The total sale of the steers was $202,427.55; an average of just under $3,431 each. This translates to just over $2.65 per pound, and well over the current market price.
In the female classes, which were held Sunday, the grand champion heifer title went to Kailey Brandl of Flatbush Beef. Hanna Gregoire of Sunniebend took the reserve champion title.
Kiana Hein of Golden Sunset won grand champion two-year cow/calf and took the overall champion cow/calf title, while fellow member Kaylee Huppertz placed reserve champion two-year cow/calf.
Payton Gregoire of Sunniebend took grand champion three-year cow/calf and then overall reserve champion cow/calf. Evan Patriquin took reserve champion three-year cow/calf.
Kailey Brandl of Flatbush Beef won junior heifer showmanship, with Payton Gregoire taking reserve. Lilly Artemenko of Double Diamond took senior heifer showmanship with Hanna Gregoire of Sunniebend taking reserve.
This year, a carcass class was held, with eight members from across the district participating.
Members had their animals judged live before slaughter then evaluated again afterwards.
The Charolais carcass of Veronique Lusson of Golden Sunset came out on top with 93 points. Cassandra van de Ligt came in a close second with 88 points for her steer, and a very close third went to Cassidy Geiger of Golden Sunset with 87 points. The participating members felt this was a very interesting and educational experience.
Just how long the district show and sale has been going on seems to be somewhat lost in history.
The travelling Champion Steer Trophy has a few minor dents, and doesn’t polish up quite as nicely as it once did, and several of the club names no longer exist.
But considering it was first handed out it in 1957, now some 57 years ago, it is in relatively remarkable shape.
Some of the earlier names on the trophy are parents of 4-H members who showed at the annual event last week, an indication that, like farming itself, 4-H goes on from one generation to the next.
