Adair County 4-H’ers Win Big at Ak-Sar-Ben
Adair County 4-H’er Kysa Downing exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer at the Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Exposition in Omaha. Downing, the daughter of Karen and Steve Downing of Creston, topped the field of animals from an eight state area with her 1340 pound entry. She first claimed the Division II championship before claiming the top prize. Her brother, Chisum Downing, also got to compete for the championship by taking reserve honors in Division II with his 1337 pound steer.
Velista Martin of Fontanelle claimed 2nd place in the Premier Beef Exhibitor competition. Awards are based on a personal interview, the results of a test, and show results. Martin, a senior at Nodaway Valley High School and a member of the Iowa Beef team, is the daughter of Joe and Vanessa Martin. She will receive a college scholarship for her outstanding performance.
Judd Martin of Fontanelle participated in the Catch-a-Calf competition which involved completing a beef skill-a-thon. Martin is one of 20 youth who will receive a free calf later tthis fall donated by Ak-Sar-Ben. That calf is raised by the exhibitor, who is partnered with a community leader who will serve as a mentor, and shown at the next year's Exposition. While raising the animal, each 4-H’er must correspond with his or her sponsor, informing the sponsor of the animal's progress. Next fall, Martin will return to Ak-Sar-Ben to compete in a special division with his calf.
Other honors in the market beef division included blue awards for Heath Downing and Velista Martin.
Adair County 4-H’ers captured purple ribbons in the meat goat and breeding beef shows. Joceline Holliday of Greenfield claimed a purple with her meat goat. Leah Gilman and Ethan Gilman of Stuart received purple awards for their Shorthorn breeding heifers. Tyler Long of Creston received a purple award for his Simmental breeding heifer. Long also was recognized for his showmanship skills. Judd Martin received a blue award for his Gelbvieh breeding beef entry.
Chisum earned a Carcass of Merit Award and purple ribbon with his 1337 pound steer that claimed reserve honors in Division II of the live show. The steer gained nearly 2 ½ pounds per day and graded Choice. He had a 14.1 square inch loin eye area and a yield grade of 2. Chisum was one of only 13 exhibitors in the market beef division to receive the honor.
Adair County 4-H’ers earning blues in the Ak-Sar-Ben carcass competition included Velista Martin of Fontanelle with her market steer and Joceline Holliday of Greenfield with two market goats.
Beef and meat goats are just two of the nearly 100 project areas available to 4-H’ers. Photography and food and nutrition are the most popular 4-H project areas selected by Adair County 4-H’ers. Adair County is accepting 4-H enrollments for the 2009-10 year now. For more information call 743-8412 or 1-800-ISUE399 or stop by the Extension office located at 202 S 1st St in Greenfield.