David Bell, Nottingham is pictured with his Champion Steer purchased by Lindsey Drennen , Oxford Feed and Lumber, Oxford, PA
HONEY BROOK — Quality ran deep through all the livestock species shown this year at the Chester County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale held August 9 to 11 at the Romano 4-H Center in Honey Brook. Judge Ed Keeny commented on the depth in each class in both the market goat and sheep shows and congratulated the exhibitors on the quality of their projects. The beef cattle were judged by Drew Cashman, and on Tuesday evening, judge Kyle Livingston worked his way through a very competitive market hog show. Record crowds were on hand each night to watch the 4-H livestock shows and view the various projects completed by our community clubs and outreach members.
The 4-H members excelled with their animals and the buyers enthusiastically supported their efforts. The sale averaged well above the market prices on auction day. Four steers, 79 hogs, 8 goats and 47 lambs were shown and sold at the annual event for a sale total of $134,000.00. Buyers came from all over the region to support the sale.
The Champion Steer weighing 1,388 pounds was shown by David Bell of Nottingham and was purchased by Oxford Feed and Lumber, a long-time supporter of the Chester County Livestock program for $3.50/lb. The Reserve Champion Steer weighing 1,441 pounds was shown by Olivia Macomber of Elverson and was purchased by Shane Yarnall of Downingtown for $2.75/lb. The four steers averaged $2.91/lb.
The Champion Market Hog was shown by David Bell of Nottingham. The 277-pound hog sold for $6.00/lb. and was purchased by Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit of Mount Joy.
The 268-pound Reserve Champion was shown by Sarah Uhlman of Exton. The hog was purchased by long-time sale supporter Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm for $5.75/lb. Sixty-one of the 79 market hogs in the sale were sold as freezer hogs, exemplifying the dedication of all the swine club members in marketing their projects to private individuals. The hogs averaged $3.15/lb.
David Bell of Nottingham triplicated his success with the Champion Market Lamb. His 107-pound lamb sold to John Rock, Inc. of Sadsburyville for $7.00/lb. The Reserve lamb was exhibited by Emilie Howe of Downingtown and her 115-pound lamb sold to Howe Family Farm also from Downingtown for $6.00/lb.
A pair of siblings from Cochranville exhibited the Champion and Reserve Champion Market Goats. Payton Engle and his sister, Lyla, showed the grand and reserve goat. The Grand Champion Goat was purchased by Marlin Becker of New Holland for $8.50/lb. and the Reserve Champion was purchased by Dale and Karen Stoltzfus of Gap for a record setting $12/lb.
As an added attraction, a lamb donated by River Lease of Coatesville was auctioned off to benefit the Senior Livestock Judging team’s travel expenses. The team won the state judging contest and will be attending several regional contests this fall. The lamb was sold and donated back 17 times by 19 different businesses and individuals. In addition, 23 individuals and businesses provided additional funding to the team through cash donations.
Throughout the shows on Monday and Tuesday, showmanship was hotly contested which is usual for this 4-H show. Grand Champion Beef Showman was David Bell of Nottingham and Reserve Grand Champion Showman was Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville. Grand Champion Sheep Showman was Payton Engle of Cochranville and Reserve Champion was David Bell of Nottingham. In the Swine Show, Champion Showman was David Bell and Reserve Champion Showman was Emma Uhlman of Exton. The honorary showman was Cameron Johnson of Elverson.
The newest event of the fair was the Supreme Champion Showman competition held on Wednesday afternoon. The eight participants were Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville, Kaycee and Payton Engle of Cochranville, David Bell of Nottingham, Ethan and Olivia Macomber of Elverson, Emma Uhlman of Exton, and Jeremiah Howe of Downingtown. These members participated in a round robin style show and were put through their paces by judge Drew Cashman of Elverson. The Supreme Champion Showman was Melinda Stoltzfus, and the Reserve was David Bell.
The Chester County Livestock 4-Hers and their families showed their true dedication and resiliency at the conclusion of the fair. After the sale wrapped up and the cleanup began, the power went out because of a strong storm that had blown through. Not missing a beat, cars were pulled up to the open doorways to light the barn, phone flashlights were used to light the way as papers and computers were stowed. Panels were taken down; bedding was shoveled; floors were swept. Such teamwork and commitment are exemplary of the Chester County 4-H Livestock Program.
For further information on the 4-H program in Chester County, contact the Penn State Extension Office at 610-696-3500.
