ANGELICA, NEW YORK (July 15, 2024)
2024 Allegany County Fair Youth Swine Show
Lynn Bliven, Agriculture & Natural Resources Issue Leader
Monday, July 15th youth exhibitors showed off their swine projects at the Allegany County Fair. The contest is an opportunity to be rewarded for the months of hard work caring for and training their animals.
In the Senior Showmanship division, Mason Findlay of Fillmore, NY with a first-place finish received a blue ribbon along with a blanket sponsored by Gene & Linda Hatch. Second place finish to Lindsey Reynolds of Cuba, NY; followed by Collin Wilson Dansville, NY; Natalie Burrows Cuba, NY; Morgan Holcomb of Friendship, NY; Shane Ploetz Cuba, NY; Taylor Brokow Friendship, NY; Conner Armison of Farmersville Station, NY; Gianna Loiacono Friendship, NY; Kadin Pierce Cuba, NY; all awarded a blue ribbon.
For the junior division with 7 participants all receiving blue ribbons, Brendon Wilson from Dansville, NY topped the class followed by Lincoln Reynolds Cuba, NY; Garrett Ploetz Cuba, NY; Grant Bell Bolivar, NY; Bentley Foster Friendship, NY; Grace Bell Bolivar, NY; and Caidence Armison of Farmersville Station, NY. Brendon received a blanket sponsored by the Bills Custom Cutting & Smoke House.
In the novice class, first blue awarded to Faith Wilson Dansville, NY followed by Wylee Ringelberg Black Creek, NY and Grady Bell Bolivar, NY. Faith received a showman harness sponsored by the Miller Family.
The top 2 from each division competed for Grand Champion Showman. This year’s winner Lindsey Reynolds received a blanket sponsored by Gene & Linda Hatch and a belt buckle sponsored by the Reynolds Family. Reserve Grand Champion Showman Mason Findley received blanket sponsored by Mark & Lorraine Stone.
Four future showmen participated in the Cloverbub showmanship open to youth between 5-7 years old. The judge complemented Gabriel Bell, Grayson Bell, Tinsley Foster and Beverly Ploetz for an excellent job controlling their animals.
Four classes in the market swine division starting with light weight. The class 6 receiving blues: Caidence Armison, Lincoln Reynolds, Grady Bell, Grant Bell, Caidence Armison, and Conner Armison. Two red ribbon hogs exhibited by Conner Armison and Gianna Loiacono.
The medium weight swine, all received blue ribbons. First place exhibited by Morgan Holcomb, followed by Natalie Burrows in second, third and fourth places to Grace Bell’s entries, fifth Kadin Pierce, sixth Taylor Brokow, seventh Shane Ploetz, and eighth to Gianna Loiacono.
Lincoln Reynolds placed first blue in the intermediate weight class followed Morgan Holcomb, Shane Ploetz, Mason Findlay, Faith Wilson, Natalie Burrows, Grady Bell, and Collin Wilson. Another group of blue-ribbon winners.
Blue ribbon heavy weight hogs exhibited by Brendon Wilson followed by Bentley Foster, Bentley Foster, Mason Findlay, Kadin Pierce, Grant Bell, Garrett Ploetz, and Taylor Brokow.
Grand Champion Market Swine receiving a banner sponsored by General Roofing along with a wall plague from the NYS Pork Producers Association was awarded to the top heavy hog was exhibited by Brendon Wilson. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine banner was sponsored by Schiralli Farms and awarded to Lindsay Reynolds’ intermediate weight hog. Grand & reserve market hogs also received a bucket full of goodies provided by Country Crossroads feed & Seed. The Bred & Owned Market Hog grand and reserve both exhibited by Kadin Pierce. He received cash awards sponsored by Luck Acre Farm. All these animals will be sold at the Annual Youth Market Animals Sale beginning at 6 PM on Wednesday, July 17th.
In the breeding division first place and Grand Champion Gilt, was exhibited by Morgan Holcomb, she received a blanket In Memory of Sarah Beiler. Second blue awarded to Wylee Ringelberg.
This year’s judge for the swine show was James Luckman from Fort Plain, NY. He has judges for over 20 years and loves working with youth and their livestock. He shared the best part of judging for him is seeing the kids overcome their fears and all the hard work they put in to show their animals. Showmanship is skill-based and proves how much time they have spent working with their animal. Parting thoughts from the judge today, “Actually, pleasure to judge this show today. High quality animals and respectful group of kids”
The youth swine show was followed by the Livestock Judging Contest. First place senior, Natalie Burrows, received a clip board sponsored by the Ryan Agencies. First place junior, Brendon Wilson, clip board was sponsored by Nicholson Pharmacy. Thank you to our official Judge, Lenny Ando from Houghton, NY.
Youth shows at the fair are one of many programs offered by the 4-H Program through 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: (left to right) Mason Findley Reserve Master Showman; Lindsey Reynolds Master Showman, judge James Luckman.
Photo caption: Lindsay Reynolds with reserve champion hog, Brendon Wilsom with his grand champion hog and Judge, James Luckman. These animals will be sold at the Annual Youth Market Animals Sale at 6 PM on Wednesday, July 15th.
