Despite COVID-19, Greene County lamb and steer show a success
Steve Barrett/For the Observer-Reporter
Lila Perroots, 18, of Mt. Morris showed the overall grand champion during the 4-H Market and Steer Show and Sale Wednesday at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Her 1,425-pound steer was also selected as champion steer in the heavyweight division.
Steve Barrett/For the Observer-Reporter
Allie Midla, 12, of Clarksville, showed the overall grand champion lamb during the Market Lamb and Steer Show and Sale Wednesday at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Her 139-pound lamb was also selected as champion in the middleweight division.
COVID-19 may have taken away the weeklong Greene County Fair this year, but the pandemic could not take away the enthusiasm felt by dozens of area youths who were showing and selling their lambs and steers.
After the fair board agreed earlier this summer to cancel the 2020 fair due to safety and fiscal issues caused by COVID-19, local officials vowed that they would find a way to allow youths to show and sell their animals.
The 4-H Market Lamb and Steer Sale was eventually deemed “essential” by the state, so the Greene County Junior Livestock Committee was able to hold the traditional event at the county fairgrounds last Wednesday.
To adhere to safety regulations and practice social distancing, the show and sale were moved to the outer rabbit barn and attendance was limited to invited buyers, and the youths showing and selling their animals wore face masks. The show and sale were streamed live on the Greene County Fair Facebook page for those who normally would attend but were unable to do so this year, and volunteers also accepted bids live via telephone.
Debbie Stephenson, a volunteer for the committee, said the event was well worth the cooperation needed to pull together.
“For this event to be even possible, it took everyone – community leaders and members, committee members, sponsors, businesses and organizations, volunteers and many more – to come together,” she said. “The committee sincerely thanks everyone involved in coordinating the event for making the show and sale such a huge success. And the kids appreciate it so much as well.”
The lamb and steer show was held throughout the afternoon, and the animals were sold during the evening.
In the lamb competition, Allie Midla, 12, of Clarksville, showed the overall grand champion. Her 139-pound lamb, also selected as champion lamb in the middleweight division, was sold to Jacobs Excavating at a cost of $16 per pound, for a total of $2,224.
Kolby Smith, 17, of Waynesburg, showed the overall reserve grand champion lamb. His 156-pound lamb, also selected as champion in the heavyweight division, was purchased by RM Manufacturing Sales at a cost of $15 per pound, for a total of $2,340.
Carly Whyte, 14, of Waynesburg, showed the reserve champion heavyweight; her 148-pound lamb was purchased by Throckmorton Farm at a cost of $3 per pound, for a total of $444.
Grace Woodling, 15, of Georgetown, showed the reserve champion middleweight; her 137-pound lamb was purchased by Professional Plumbing at $7 per pound, totaling $959.
In the lightweight division, Emily Cooke, 16, of Waynesburg, showed the champion, and her 106-pound lamb was purchased by Shale Pro Energy at $7.50 per pound, totaling $795; and Daniel Brookover, 12, of Mt. Morris, showed the reserve champion, and his 124-pound lamb was purchased by Crouse Farm at $4 per pound, totaling $496.
In the steer competition, Lila Perroots, 18, of Mt. Morris, showed the overall grand champion. Her 1,425-pound steer was also selected as champion steer in the heavyweight division.
Grace Woodling, 15, of Georgetown, showed the overall reserve champion steer. Her 1,444-pound steer was also selected as reserve grand champion in the heavyweight division.
In the middleweight division, Celia Parson, 13, of Graysville, showed the champion, and Brayden Mooney, 17, of Sycamore, showed the reserve grand champion.
And in the lightweight division, Emily Cooke, 16, of Waynesburg, showed the champion and Allexis Berdine, 13, of New Freeport, showed the reserve champion.
Information regarding purchases and totals for the champion steers were not immediately available.