Allison Huppertz of the Golden Sunset 4-H Beef Club ended her nine years as a 4-H member on a high note at this year’s Westlock District 4-H Beef Achievement Day June 5.
In the morning, Huppertz’s heifer topped the show of 14 heifers from the three participating clubs (Golden Sunset, Pembina West and Double Diamond) to capture the District Grand Champion Heifer title.
And it got better. In the afternoon, her big 1,634-pound (sale weight) well-finished Simmental steer, VIPER, was selected Grand Champion Steer of the 47 steers shown this year by show judge Lyle Fox — the first time in Westlock 4-H that a member has won both championships.
The steer started the 4-H year on weigh-in day at 976 pounds and finished at 1,650 pounds for a 3.09 average daily gain (ADG). In the afternoon sale, her steer was purchased by Westlock Veterinary Centre for the top sale price of $5.25 per pound.
Overall, it was a tremendous way for Huppertz to end her 4-H years, with all the work that has gone into it, and no doubt with very supportive parents, Will and Leanne, club leaders and fellow members. Huppertz will be going on to Lakeland College at Vermilion this fall to begin a two-year course in crop technology.
Olivia Nyal, also of the Golden Sunset 4-H Beef Club, won District Grand Champion with her steer. His 1,624-pound sale weight was purchased for $4 per lb. by Westlock Motors. Unfortunately, we don’t have any other information on this steer, other than to note he was also a big steer full of beef.
Emma Grimmeyer of the Golden Sunset 4-H Beef Club also ended her 4-H years on a high note, winning District Senior Steer Showmanship with her Black Baldy steer RUSSEL. She is also going to Lakeland College this fall taking animal technology courses. Westlock Sobeys purchased her 1,148-pound steer for $3 per lb.
In the morning, after the clubs were introduced, the female show was held, with some very strong heifers and cow/calf projects shown.
There is simply not enough room to tell the story of each member of the three clubs, but the members all worked hard with their projects — female or steer — to bring out the best in them. Most certainly, there is strong support from both club leaders and parents during the 4-H year as well. Some of the winners are shown in the photo pages that follow.
A fun highlight of the morning was the 13 Cleaver kids who proudly showed their calves. No champions were selected, but each got a red participation ribbon. These young ones will hopefully continue on in 4-H, providing a strong future for the clubs in the district.
Just after the lunch break, the group of four steers from each club was shown, with Golden Sunset taking first place and Pembina West second.
The 47 steers from the three clubs were each shown, with Club Champion and Club Reserve Champions were selected by Fox. With a good selection of excellent steers, it gave him, a cattle buyer, some challenges for his selections. Both Fox and showmanship and grooming judge Lexi Golinsky had a long day, judging both female and steer classes for the show.
The finale was the sale of the steers, with auctioneer Garth Rogers calling the bids, assisted by bid catcher Levi Pedgerachny. Before the steers were sold, the sign listing the sponsors, with a Bernie Brown print “Cream of the Crop” in the lower right hand corner sold for $900. That money will go to STARS Air Ambulance.
Overall, the 47 steers, with a gross total weight of 64,554 pounds sold for a total of $230,691.20, to average $3.59 per pound.
Writer’s Note: Unfortunately, we are unable to use photos of all the members and were unable to get some of the information or photos from some members in the rush of the day. But rest assured, all members are, in a sense, winners. It is a real privilege to observe and record the day in photos.
On a final note, a very special thank you to Carrie Ruch, who for the past two years has kept track of the photo numbers and names of the members, carefully recording them and allowing me full freedom to work with the camera.
