Mike Wolanin | The Republic Braden Young prepares to compete in the beef show during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, June 30, 2022.
While the number of entries in the annual 4-H Beef Show was down slightly from last year, the quality of the heifers, calves and steers was unusually good.
That assessment was made by 4-H Beef Superintendent Shelby Case just prior to the nearly five-hour competition. There were 57 entries – only four fewer than the 2021 competition.
As the show was beginning to wind down, judge Andy Howell of Marengo said essentially the same thing as Case just moments before he named the grand and reserve champions.
“It doesn’t matter if they placed first or fourth,” said Howell, a Crawford County agriculture teacher and cattle farm owner. “I just keep seeing the same great quality over and over again. This is unusual.”
While the number of entries in Thursday’s competition was higher than many had expected, many who recalled last year’s show understood what had taken place. Due to last year’s phase-out of a feed additive banned in China and other countries, local bidders decided to pay for the animal, but allowed the exhibitors to keep them after the 2021 4-H Livestock Auction.
Judging by the dates of birth on this year’s heifers, Case said it appears several of last year’s entries were brought back to compete this year.
The 4-H Pavilion filled up again with more than 200 spectators as the Starter Calf show was about to end.
“In every show I judge or attend, we always get the biggest crowds for the steer show,” Howell said.
Beef steer is held in high regard because they are the animals who are most often sold for food processing, the judge said. Steers are mostly judged by weight, muscle-tone and finish, he explained.
In agriculture, steers are often seen as a symbol of prestige because they grow larger and require more time and money to raise than most livestock, Bartholomew County Extension Director Elisabeth Eaton said.
The big winner of the 4-H Steer Show was Luke Kerkhof, 13, son of Bill and Lesa Kerkhof. The Central Middle School student showed a 1,425 pound steer that was named both Grand Champion Beef Steer and Grand Champion County Born and Raised Steer. Luke said he had been working with the steer since last September – sometimes up to four hours a day.
Taking Reserve Grand Champion was Trevor Acree, son of Daniel and Janice Acree, an incoming seventh grader at Central Middle School.
Another crowd favorite was Ava Dempsey, who exhibited a 16-month old Simmental that was named both Grand Champion Beef Heifer and Grand Champion County Born and Raised Beef Heifer.
But earning two of the top awards Thursday brought tears of joy to the Hope Elementary School student’s eyes.
“It’s been so much hard work,” the 12-year-old Ava said. “But I never dreamed (earning both major awards) would ever happen.”
The hard work usually starts in September, she said. In the mornings, she and her twin brother, Adyn, work with their livestock for about two to two-and-a-half hours, Ava said. Then, in the night, both spend about an hour caring for them, she added.
Her parents, Andrew and Melissa Dempsey of Hope, had another reason to be proud. Adyn won the Reserve Grand Champion County Born and Raised Beef Heifer for his entry.
Although Adyn says working with cattle sometimes gets in the way of playing baseball, “I’d rather do this than baseball any day,” he added.
In the Starter Calf competition, Columbus East High School student Betsy Hoene, 16, came out on top in two of the three classes. Her 662 lb. calf, Toby, was name Grand Champion and Betsy, the daughter of Ben and Julie Hoene, took home senior showmanship honors as well.
Some of the beef entries will be among the animals set to be auctioned during the 4-H livestock sale at 8:15 a.m. this morning in the pavilion.
