BENTLEY BEGGS The 55th Annual Washington Area Steer and Heifer Show will take place at the McGill-Woodruff Agricultural Center in Washington on Saturday, February 28.

Fred Rayfield, superintendent of Cook County Schools and a former ag teacher, has been invited to judge the event, which will feature steers and heifers from Lincoln, Wilkes, Oglethorpe, Madison, and Elbert counties.

Check-in for all steer and heifers entering this year's show is from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Friday, February 27, with the Steer and Heifer Show Banquet to be held at the ag center that night beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the banquet are $6 for students and $12 for adults, with showmen admitted free of charge.

The livestock show will start at 9 a.m. the following morning and includes events such as the Heifer Show; Twelfth-Grade Showmanship (steer and heifer); Tenth and Eleventh- Grade Showmanship (steer and heifer); Eighth and Ninth-Grade Showmanship (steer and heifer); Fourth through Seventh-Grade Showmanship (steer and heifer); the Steer Show; the County Group of Five; and the Breeder Special.

CARSON GOLDMANRev. Dale Finch, pastor of Tignall Baptist Church, will serve as the chaplain for the event.

Fifteen steers and two heifers from Lincoln County will be exhibited at this year's show, according to Monte Stephens, ag and 4-H agent for the Lincoln County UGA Extension Service.

"We're looking forward to an outstanding show," stated Stephens. "The breed quality is very good — in fact, these steers are some of the finest in the state. The competition will be tough, but I know we'll do well.

"The annual steer and heifer show offers area residents an excellent opportunity to see Georgia's livestock industry at its best," he continued. "We hope the show will encourage more families to get involved in 4-H and FFA livestock projects."

The Lincoln County 4-Hers participating in the show are Justin Ashmore, Ivie Sue Aycock, Tanner Aycock, Bentley Beggs, Hattie Collins, Carson Goldman, C.J. Goldman, Sadie Partridge, and Dalton Tankersley.

"I'm very proud of all of our steer and heifer show exhibitors and am very grateful for the support of their parents and other family members," Stephens stated. "Everyone has worked very hard."

C.J. GOLDMANIn conclusion, the ag and 4-H agent urged local residents to come to the steer sale at 2 p.m. and stock up on some of the best beef in Georgia.

This year's show is dedicated to Howell R. Roberts of McDuffie County.

An excerpt from the program for the show is as follows:

"In 1972, Howell Roberts moved to Thomson to serve as the McDuffie County Extension Director. As the McDuffie County 4-H Coordinator, he involved 4-Hers in the Washington Area Steer and Heifer Show.

"Through the years, Roberts supported the steer and heifer show by filling various positions, playing numerous roles, and serving in several capacities on the board of directors.

"He initiated the transfer of show events to the computer, and his expertise in programming became his niche. He continued that tradition until his 1995 retirement from the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. Yet, his interest and involvement in the steer and heifer show never flagged.

DALTON TANKERSLEY"He continues to carry out his designated duties today and reminisces about many shows held in icy, snowy weather."

The Washington Area Steer and Heifer Show directors from Lincoln County are Chris Goldman, Alva Aycock, Monte Stephens, Stan Tankersley, Jason Aycock, Fred McWhorter, Steve Ashmore, Haynes Ashmore, Herbert Powell, Billy Wilkes, and Adam Aycock.

For more information about the steer and heifer show, contact the Lincoln County UGA Extension Service at 706-359-3233.

HATTIE COLLINSIVIESUE AYCOCK JUSTIN ASHMORETANNER AYCOCKSADIE PARTRIDGE