Area youth participate in Junior Dairy Heifer Show

Amanda Gay of Lincoln County placed first in grades 10-12 showmanship at the Rayle EMC Dairy Heifer Show. Pictured with Amanda are (left to right) Judge John Bernard, Rayle EMC Director Herbert Powell and Jeff Paul, Rayle EMC Member Services Director.

The Rayle EMC Invitational Junior Dairy Heifer Show was held on Thursday, February 7 at the McGill- Woodruff Agricultural Center in Washington. The show featured twenty- six youth participants from Greene, Lincoln, Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties.

These exhibitors showed dairy heifers and competed against one another in four showmanship classes and five weight classes. Dana Durham of Greene County 4-H showed the Grand Champion Heifer and was awarded a plaque and a cash prize of $100. Lauren Chafin of Wilkes County 4-H showed the Reserve Champion Heifer and received a plaque and a cash prize of $75.

Judging the event was Dr. John Bernard, research, extension, and instruction coordinator for the Tifton Campus of The University of Georgia and is the faculty coordinator for the dairy research unit at Tifton. Prior to the showmanship competition, Dr. Bernard talked to the entrants about the importance of caring for calves properly and gave them tips for use while in the ring. He also spoke to each participant individually during the showmanship competition.

Showmanship classes are judged on how the exhibitor presents his/her animal in the show ring, how the animal is groomed for presentation, and how the exhibitor responds to questions asked by the judge. Showmanship results for Class 1 which included showmen in grades 3 -5 were William Thomas, first, Wilkes Co. 4-H; Megan Thackston, second, Wilkes County 4-H; Mason Cronic, third, Greene Co. 4-H; Ryan Davison, fourth, Greene Co. 4-H; Cody Duvall, fifth, Greene Co. 4-H.

In Class 2 - grades 6 and 7, the results were Lauren Chafin, first, Wilkes Co.4-H; Jolie Meyen, second, Oglethorpe 4-H; Patrick Bear, third, Greene Co. 4-H; Lindsey Davison, fourth, Greene Co. 4-H; Marisa Sifre, fifth, Wilkes Co. 4-H; Marlyse Sifre, sixth, Wilkes Co. 4-H; Kara Meyer, seventh, Greene Co. 4-H.

In Class 3 - grades 8 and 9, the results were: Dana Durham, first, Greene Co. 4-H; Ali Cronic, second, Greene Co 4-H; Carlie Rae Glass, third, Greene Co. 4-H; Tori Smith, fourth, Oglethorpe Co. 4-H; Charlie Meyen, fifth, Oglethorpe Co. FFA; Meredith Paul, sixth, Oglethorpe FFA; Savannah Roberts, seventh, Greene Co. 4-H; Andrew Foster, eighth, Oglethorpe FFA.

In Class 4 - grades 10 -12 showmanship results were: Amanda Gay, first, Lincoln Co. FFA; Leanne Paul, second, Oglethorpe Co. FFA; Rachel Bridges, third, Oglethorpe FFA; Morgen Swann, fourth, Wilkes Co. 4-H; Kayci Saxon, fifth, Oglethorpe Co. FFA; and Morgan Rich, sixth, Oglethorpe Co. FFA. In weight classes, the heifers themselves are judged, according to their respective form and conformation.

Class 1 included heifers from 240- 285 pounds. Show results were Dana Durham, first; Jolie Meyen, second; William Thomas, third; Jolie Meyen, fourth; Cody Duvall, fifth; Kara Meyer, sixth; Lindsey Davison, seventh and Carlie Rae Glass, eighth.

Class 2 (290-340 lbs.) Mason Cronic, first; Marisa Sifre, second; Amanda Gay, third; Savannah Roberts, fourth; Patrick Bear, fifth; Megan Thackston, sixth; Marlyse Sifre, seventh.

Class 3 (355-420 lbs.) Lauren Chafin, first; Morgen Swann, second; Amanda Gay, third; Ali Cronic, fourth; Carlie Rae Glass, fifth; Ryan Davison, sixth; Charlie Meyen, seventh; Morgan Rich, eighth.

Class 4 (435-530 lbs.) Dana Durham, first; Tori Smith, second; Lindsey Davison, third; Andrew Foster, fourth; Rachel Bridges, fifth; Meredith Paul, sixth; Ali Cronic, seventh.

Class 5 included heifers from 555- 660 pounds. Results were Jolie Meyen, first; Kayci Saxon, second; Charlie Meyen, third; Leanne Paul, fourth and Morgen Swann, fifth.

Exhibitors placing in the top three in showmanship received cash prizes, with first place in each showmanship class receiving a plaque. All exhibitors received ribbons in showmanship and weight classes. Rayle EMC employees helping out with the show included Jeff Paul, Frank Jackson, Larry Chapman, Mark Tench, Paul Wright and director Herbert Powell. Employees attending were Phil Brown, Tony Griffin, Karen Chafin, Boyce Hall and directors Fred McWhorter and Wayne Williams.

Special thanks to the Wilkes County Cattleman's Association for providing concessions. Thanks also to the McGill-Woodruff Ag Center, Greene Co. 4-H, Lincoln Co. 4-H, Oglethorpe Co. 4-H, Wilkes Co. 4-H, Rayle EMC employee family members and Rayle EMC members for helping make this show a success.