ALLEGANY CO., N.Y. — Tuesday, July 18th youth exhibitors showed off their sheep projects at the Allegany County Fair. The contest is an opportunity to be rewarded for the months of hard work caring for and training their animals.
In the Senior Showmanship division, Jim Eshelman Scio, NY received a blue ribbon along with a banner sponsored by Bob & Donna Wilson, Canaseraga, NY.
For the Junior Showmanship Sarah Wilson topped the class followed by Jeffery Wilson, Collin Wilson, Luke Wilson, Brendon Wilson, Garret Ploetz, Anna Wilson, and Ben Eshleman all receiving blue ribbons. Sarah received a banner sponsored by Bob & Donna Wilson.
The top from each division competed for Grand Champion Showman. This year’s grand winner Sarah Wilson and Reserve Grand Champion Showman, Jeffery Wilson award sponsored by Bob & Donna Wilson.
Our Cloverbud class of youth ages 5-7, Beverly Ploetz, Faith Wilson and Kate Wilson received participation ribbons. The judge commended the great job these young showmen did handling their lambs.
Three market lamb shown, all receiving blues exhibited by Jeffery Wilson, Sarah Wilson, and Collin Wilson. Grand Champion Market Lamb sponsored by the Kopper Keg exhibited by Jeffery Wilson. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb sponsored by Lindquist Cub Cadet was awarded to Sarah Wilson.
In the breeding sheep division, an excellent group of blue-ribbon stock exhibited by Ben Eshleman, Jim Eshleman, Garrett Ploetz, Brendon Wilson, Collin Wilson, Jeffery Wilson, and Sarah Wilson. Grand Champion Ewe exhibited by Jeffery Wilson. Grand Champion Ram exhibited by Sarah Wilson. Grand Champion Flock exhibited by Garrett Ploetz. These 3 awards sponsored by Bob & Donna Wilson.
This year’s judge for the show was Nick Kron grew up on his family’s diversified livestock farm in Alden NY. He currently lives in Millerton, NY with his wife, operating their own farm with hogs and sheep. Nick is a full-time butcher, having a keen eye for market animals that will hang with a quality carcass. Nick judged at the National Western Stock Show in January 2019, competing in the carload contest with the SUNY Cobleskill livestock judging team. He has been judging livestock for 5 years primarily judging hogs, lambs, and beef cattle across New York State. In his time off Nick enjoys working with his own stock and doing things around the farm as well as going to shows with his animals.
Youth shows at the fair are one of many programs offered by the 4-H Program through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County (CCE-Allegany). The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. For more information, call 585-268-7644 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/allegany. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
–Lynn Bliven, Agriculture & Natural Resources Issue Leader
Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County