Emily Hodgetts, a senior member of the Meadowview Multi 4-H Club, had her steer chosen by judge John Dolliver as this year’s District Grand Champion of the 33 steers shown at this year’s 2024 Barrhead & District 4-H Beef and Sheep Achievement Day show and sale.
Her steer Hank weighed 1,455 pounds and was purchased by Tate McNelly of Grizzly Trail Motors for $6,838, or $4.70 per pound. Hank’s initial weight was 792 pounds, and he finished with a weight of 1,500 pounds, for a 3.32-pound ADG (Average Daily Gain).
Owen Miedema of the Freedom-Naples club brought Silverado to the show, and won District Reserve Grand Champion. Silverado’s initial weight was 814 pounds and a finished weight of 1,488 pounds, for an ADG of 3.16 pounds. His sale weight of 1,443 pounds was purchased by Neerlandia Co-op for $4.60 per pound, a total of $6,637.
The 33 steers in this year’s sale sold for a total of $182,676. (which wouldn’t even buy a new combine today) for an average price of $5,535. The total weight of the steers was 43,803 pounds, and the average was 1,297 pounds.
The overall average price for steers at this year’s sale was $.426798 per pound, rounded out to $4.27 per pound.
Shelten Grabler of T&M showed the Champion Market Lamb, as chosen by judge Kaylie Krys. His 119 pound lamb was purchased by Shawn Vicker Architects for $6.50 per pound.
Gannon Van Gelder of T&M showed the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. His lamb weighed 124 pounds and was purchased by Barrhead Pharmacy and Home Realty for $5.25 per pound, a total of $540.75.
Seven market lambs weighing 848 pounds sold for a total of $4,585, an average of $655, and a price per pound of $5.407.
One feeder lamb, shown by Morgan Wiart of Freedom-Naples, weighed in at 72 pounds and was purchased by Brian’s Concrete for $8.80 per pound, a total of $633.
The real money, it seems, is in rabbits. Four market rabbits, weighing between 4 pounds and 2 oz to 5 pounds and 8 oz brought a total of $870, for a handsome average of $217 per rabbit.
A very special annual award is the Barrhead & District Hall of Fame Award. This year, the recipients were Leigh and Anita Mckain, who, as a couple, spent many years and countless hours involved in 4-H at both Club and District levels, and even though their children are no longer in 4-H, continue to help out, not just in 4-H, but in their community as well.
The Barrhead & District 4-H Beef and Sheep Achievement Day Show and Sale was held at the Agriculture Barn in Barrhead on May 27. This year was the 60th Annual show. Originally, it was an all-beef show, with more clubs and more members involved. Over the years, some of the clubs have folded, and the number of members has decreased, with today, just three clubs which includes T&M, Freedom-Naples and Meadowview Multi.
Several years ago, sheep were brought in and rabbits have also been added to the livestock agenda for the show and sale.
For leaders, members, and parents, the annual show is a very long day, with animals arriving at the Ag Barn well before 7:00 a.m. By the time the show and sale are completed, and the Barn cleared out, it would be probably close to, if not beyond 10:00 p.m.
