DUNKIRK, N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program recently held their annual Beef Classic Show at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
The Beef Classic Show originated in 2008 when the volunteers on the 4-H Beef Committee wanted youth to have an opportunity to show their market steers aside from the Chautauqua County Fair. In 2011 the show was opened to 4-H youth outside of Chautauqua County. Today the show welcomes youth enrolled in 4-H or FFA under the age of 21 and classes are held for heifers and market steers. Youth must participate in showmanship, which is the ability to control the animals and present them to the best of their ability. All steers are divided into classes by weight and heifers are shown by breed. On average, the show draws 30-40 youth exhibitors. This year a record 50 youth from across Western New York participated.
Becky Snyder of Seneca Falls, NY judged the show and noted that the showmen and cattle were top quality. Grand Champion Showman was Cole Carlson of Byron, NY. Reserve Champion Showman was Kaitlyn Broughton of Silver Springs, NY. The Grand Champion Steer belongs to Shianne Foss of Alden, NY and Reserve Champion Steer belongs to Lydia Covert of Lakewood, NY. The Supreme Female Champion heifer belongs to Nathan Reynolds of Niagara County. He is eligible for the overall State Supreme Female award which is sponsored by the New York State Beef Producers Show being held at Lott Farms in Seneca Falls on September 24-26. Kaitlyn Broughton of Silver Springs took Reserve Champion Heifer. Chautauqua County 4-H youth that participated in the show were Laine Carpenter, Corinne and Lydia Covert, Wyatt Harrington, and Hannah Schauman.
All entry fees were returned to exhibitors as prizes. The show would not have been possible without the support of Crackerjack Farm Kent/Blue Seal Feed, Mark and Michelle Strub, Whiting Farms, Butternut Brook Livestock, Sunrise Farms, Greis Family, Big Apple Cattle Company, GC Acres/Gerhardt Farm, Sunny Hill Farm, Loweington Acres, Flats View Farm, and the New York Beef Producers Association Supreme Female Program. Special thanks to the 4-H Beef Committee for hosting this year’s show and 4-H volunteer Joe Osborne for his help coordinating the show since 2008. NYS COVID-19 guidelines were followed, allowing all exhibitors to enjoy the annual show.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
–by Kate Ewer, 4-H Community Educator
with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County
For more articles out of New York, click here.
