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4-H members steer their way to Stettler district show, sale

The Stettler District 4-H Show and Sale, always a popular event in the local agricultural community, showcased steer projects
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Austin Jacobson of the Big Knife club stands alongside his reserve grand champion steer at the 63rd annual Stettler District 4-H Show and Sale. Judge Dave Longshore in the back.

The Stettler District 4-H Show and Sale, always a popular event in the local agricultural community, showcased steer projects on Day 2 last Tuesday.

The second day of the two-day show included grooming and showmanship competitions.

The four competing clubs — Big Knife, Big Valley, Byemoor and Erskine — also marked the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Canada during the 63rd annual show held at the Stettler Agri-plex.

Faith Shuckburgh, a first-year member of the Big Valley club, exhibited the grand champion steer of the show. Her 1,329-pound steer sold at the evening sale for $3 per pound to Stettler Dodge and RV.

Shuckburgh donated 10 per cent of her proceeds to the Heartland Youth Centre.

Austin Jacobson of the Big Knife club showed the reserve grand champion steer. His 1,261 pound steer fetched a sale price of $2.50 per pound, selling to Ken Kistner of KDK Enterprises.

Club champions from the other clubs were: Byemoor — Kourtney Schilling; reserve — Natalie Schilling; Erskine — Rachel Morbeck; reserve — Carly Bignell; Big Valley reserve — Nicole Zoller; and Big Knife reserve — Junae Ventnor.

Judge Dave Longshore complimented the district on the quality of the calves, saying he believed it was the strongest set in years.

Grooming judge was Jason Turre, while Kyle Switzer judged showmanship, and Lynn Combest handled the ringman duties.

The scholarship steer, purchased by Stettler Agro Equipment, brought an impressive $3,358 to boost the funds of the Stettler District Scholarship Society.

The steer was donated by Rushton Agencies and fed by Doug and Raj Duncan. Calvin and Rita Foot donated the feed.

The sale drew a good-sized crowd and averaged $1.86 per pound, up slightly from last year’s record-breaking average of $1.85.

Day 2 winners were:

Tops in showmanship were: senior — Kathryn Dolliver, Big Knife and reserve —Kourtney Schilling, Byemoor; Intermediate — Rylee Jacobson, Big Knife and reserve — Junae Ventnor, Big Knife; Junior — Austin Jacobson and reserve — Faith Shuckburgh, Big Valley.

Team grooming champions were: senior — Shayla Derr and Kathryn Dolliver, Big Knife; intermediate — Drew Bignell and Rachel Morbeck, Erskine; junior — Tori Brower and Austin Jacobson, Big Knife.

Rate of gain — Daniel Brown, Big Valley.

Judging competition: senior — Tyler Stewart, Byemoor and reserve — Kathryn Dolliver, Big Knife; intermediate — Jesse Jack, Byemoor and reserve — Junae Ventnor, Big Knife; junior — Bailey Musgrove, Byemoor and reserve — Hannah Elines, Big Valley.

Best record books: senior — Kourtney Schilling, Byemoor; intermediate — Rylee Jacobson, Big Knife; junior — Keyonna Derr, Big Knife.

Champion carcass steer — Carly Bignell, Erskine.

Best performing carcass steer — Rachel Morbeck, Erskine.

The prestigious pen-of-five award was won by the Big Valley club. Connie Haustein presented the club with the longstanding trophy established by her father, Richard Gabriel, 63 years ago.

Another highly-sought-after award — the best stall display — won by the Big Knife club, earned them the Bryce and Verna Mailer award.

Top all-around members were acknowledged with these awards: Top Hand Award — Kourtney Schilling, Byemoor; Intermediate Award of Excellence — Rylee Jacobson, Big Knife; Junior Achiever Award — Cole Heck, Erskine.