July 16th youth exhibitors showed off their beef projects at the Allegany County Fair. The contest is a culmination of a year plus of hard work caring for and training their animals.
In the Senior Showmanship division, Sarah Wilson Dansville, NY with a first-place finish received a blue ribbon along with a blanket sponsored Bills Custom Cutting & Smoke House; Kadin Pierce Cuba, NY second followed by Conner Armison Farmersville Station, NY; Shane Ploetz Cuba, NY; and Mason Findlay Fillmore, NY all receiving blue ribbons for their efforts.
For the Junior Showmanship Jeffery Wilson Dansville, NY topped the class followed by Garret Ploetz Cuba, NY both receiving blue ribbons. Jeffery received a blanket sponsored by Schiralli Farms.
Caidence Armison Farmersville Station, NY received a blue ribbon and show harness awarded by Elizabeth Schiralli for the Novice Division. Cloverbud, Beverly Ploetz, received a participation ribbon.
The top from each division competed for Grand Champion Showman. This year’s winner Sarah Wilson received a blanket sponsored Nicholson Pharmacy Belmont, NY. Reserve Grand Champion Showman, Kadin Pierce received a blanket sponsored by Mark & Lorraine Stone.
Following showmanship, the market classes were held starting with the Lightweight Division with 5 entries. First blue ribbon awarded to steer shown by Sarah Wilson followed by second blue exhibited by Shane Ploetz and third blue to Caidence Armison. The first red was awarded to Conner Armison with the second red to the entry of Jeffery Wilson.
In the Medium Weight Division receiving blue ribbons Garrett Ploetz first followed by Kadin Pierce and Mason Findley. The heavyweight Division with 4 blue ribbons winners exhibited by Sarah Wilson, Conner Armison, Mason Findlay, and Kirby Pierce.
Grand Champion Market Beef was awarded to the heavy weight steer exhibited by Sarah Wilson. She received a banner sponsored by Bugman & Son’s Inc. The Reserve Grand Champion Market beef was exhibited by Garrett Ploetz, awarded to his medium weight steer. He received an award banner of each sponsored by the in Memory of Sarah Beiler.
Best Bred & Owned Market Beef was exhibited by Sarah Wilson and Reserved Bred & Owned shown by Kadin Pierce both received a cash award sponsored by Luckey Acres Farm.
In the breeding beef division, an excellent group of blue-ribbon stock exhibited by Conner Armison, Garrett Ploetz, Shane Ploetz, and Kadin Pierce. Grand Champion Female, sponsored by the Herbert W. Delong Post 808, blanket awarded to Shane Ploetz. Reserve Grand Champion Female, sponsored Skyview Farm, blanket awarded to Garrett Ploetz. Grand Champion Bull was awarded Shane Ploetz and Reserve Grand Champion Bull exhibited by Garrett Ploetz. Both bulls were awarded a blanket sponsored by Lindquist & Cub Cadet and the Ryan Agencies.
This year’s judge for the show Cindy Shelley from Spencerport, NY has been judging goats and beef for 35 years. She has judged throughout the US and in various New York counties. Having spent her youth in 4-H Cindy wanted to be able to contribute to the program after aging out. She views herself as an ambassador for animals. She has a passion for educating the public on where their food comes from.
Youth shows at the fair are one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County (CCE-Allegany). The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. For more information, call 585-268-7644 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/allegany. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
Photo Credit; Lynn Bliven
Photo Caption: Grand Champion Market Steer exhibited by Sarah Wilson with Judge Cindy Shelley. This steer will be sold at the Annual Youth Market Animals Sale at 6 PM on Wednesday, July 17th.
