Supreme Champion Showman Competition participants with Judge Drew Cashman.
From left to right, Drew Cashman, Kaycee Engle, River Lease, David Bell (Reserve Champion Showman), Sawyer Lease, Olivia Macomber (Supreme Champion Showman), Melinda Stoltzfus, Sarah Uhlman, Alexis McCafferty.
HONEY BROOK — Quality ran deep through all the livestock species shown this year at the Chester County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale held August 8th to 10th at the Romano 4-H Center in Honey Brook. Monday’s shows began with Judge Troy Longenecker commenting on the depth and quality of sheep represented and praising the expanded numbers of market goats presented, as well as congratulating the exhibitors on their projects. The beef cattle were judged on Monday by Drew Cashman. Tuesday evening, Kyle Livingston judged Chester County 4-H swine exhibitors. Kaitlyn Bell evaluated swine showmanship. Record crowds were on hand each night to watch the 4-H livestock shows and view the various projects completed by our community clubs and outreach members.
Sixty 4-H members excelled with exhibiting a total of 185 entries in the livestock show; 143 of the entries went into the auction and the buyers wholeheartedly supported their efforts. This year’s record sales averaged well above the market prices on auction day. Five steers, 74 hogs, 20 goats and 47 lambs were sold at the annual event for a sale total of $154,000.00. Buyers came from all over the region to support the sale.
The Champion Steer weighing 1,213 pounds was shown by David Bell of Nottingham and was purchased by Herr Foods Angus Farm of Nottingham. The steer was purchased for $2.65/lb. and was then donated to the House of His Creation. The Reserve Champion Steer weighing 1,308 pounds was shown by River Lease of Coatesville and was purchased for $2.85/lb. by Malany Electric of West Chester. Steers averaged $2.58/lb. at the sale.
Melinda Stoltzfus showed the Champion Market Hog. The 258-pound hog sold for $5.75/lb. and was purchased by Madsen Tree Service of Coatesville. Emma Uhlman of Exton showed the 262-pound Reserve Champion. The hog was purchased by long-time sale supporter Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, for $5.75/lb. Sixty-one of the 79 market hogs in the sale were sold as freezer hogs, exemplifying the dedication of all the swine club members in marketing their projects to private individuals. Hogs averaged $3.78/lb. at this year’s sale.
David Bell of Nottingham continued his success with the Champion Market Lamb. His 121-pound lamb sold to John Rock, Inc. of Sadsburyville for a record price of $24.00/lb. The Reserve Champion lamb was exhibited by Ridan Kerner of Birdsboro and his 139-pound lamb sold to Dennis Gunn of Coatesville for $5.50/lb. The market lamb’s average price was recorded at $6.96/lb.
Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville exhibited the Champion Market Goat. This wether weighed in at 109 pounds and was purchased by John Rock Inc of Sadsburyville for $8.00/lb. Payton Engle of Cochranville showed the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat. The 77-pound goat was purchased by Dale Stoltzfus Auctioneers of Gap for $6.00/lb. Goats sold at $4.69/lb. on average.
As an added attraction, a lamb donated by Olivia Macomber of Elverson and was auctioned off to benefit the Chester County Livestock Judging team’s travel expenses. The team placed 2nd at the state judging contest and will be attending the National Western Livestock Judging Contest this fall in Denver, Colorado. The lamb was sold and donated back 16 times by 17 different businesses and individuals. That single hog raised $15,000 for the team.
Throughout the shows on Monday and Tuesday, showmanship was hotly contested which is usual for this 4-H show. Grand Champion Beef Showman was David Bell of Nottingham and Reserve Grand Champion Showman was Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville. Grand Champion Sheep Showman was Sawyer Lease of Coatesville and Reserve Champion was River Lease of Coatesville. In the Swine Show, Champion Showman was Melinda Stoltzfus and Reserve Champion Showman was Olivia Macomber. Champion Goat Showman was Sawyer Lease and Reserve Champion was Melinda Stoltzfus.
The Supreme Champion Showman competition was held on Wednesday afternoon. The eight participants were Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville, Kaycee Engle of Cochranville, David Bell of Nottingham, Olivia Macomber of Elverson, Sarah Uhlman of Exton, River and Sawyer Lease of Coatesville, and Alexis McCafferty of Coatesville. These members participated in a round robin style show and were put through their paces by judge Drew Cashman of Elverson. The Supreme Champion Showman was Olivia Macomber, and the Reserve Champion Showman was David Bell.
Animal Science projects provide the opportunity for members to delve deeper into nutrition, health, nutrient management, marketing, reproduction, careers, and more. 4-H Animal Science projects offer experiences with livestock, dairy, equine, and companion animals for youth ages 8-18. The skills learned in raising animals also carry over into other aspects of 4-H life. For further information on the 4-H program in Chester County, contact the Penn State Extension Office at 610-696-3500.
