Hayes earns grand champion at 4-H feeder show

RBC — This year’s beef feeder show had 36 4-H and 4 FFA members participating. The morning was spent weighing and tagging 62 steers. Steer weights varied from a 385-pound miniature Hereford to a 960-pound cross breed steer.
An outstanding lunch was once again furnished by 4-H parents and leaders followed by an excellent showmanship demonstration by 4-H leader Jak Kilduff.
The CSU Extension gave all class champions and reserve champions a cash prize. The following 4-H’rs exhibited livestock from Rio Blanco County: Alyssa Ridings, Megan Ridings, Lisa Walker, Logan Hughes, Kaulan Pennell. Hillary Hayes, Mason Scritchfield, Maclaine Shultz, Lori Ann Klinglesmith, Emily Peterson, Ashley Loman, Krystin Loman, Nate Walsh, Anna Walsh, Shelby Lopez, Brittany Smith and Justyne Dembowski.
The grand champion steer was exhibited by Hillary Hayes and the reserve champion by Lori Ann Klinglesmith. Emily Peterson won senior showmanship and Hillary Hayes won reserve senior showmanship.
Junior beef showmanship was won by Maclaine Shults and reserve junior showman was Nate Walsh.
The novice showmanship was won by Lori Ann Klinglesmith and reserve champion by Ally Ridings.
Due to county fair rules requiring market animals to have a minimum back fat level, it is extremely important that 4-H members work at scheduling livestock to exceed those levels. The county weigh-in is the first step in producing a quality market steer.
The first step is to establish realistic goals for your project and then develop a feeding program to reach those goals.
Remember, one of the key components to having a steer finish at the county fair is to start early with a good feeding program. Contact one of your 4-H beef leaders or Bill Ekstrom for suggested rations.
The 4-H members would like to thank those individuals that helped to weigh, tag and organize this year’s beef feeder show.