Each and every spring is the culmination of a lot of work and a show of pride and accomplishment for a number of Ponoka youth.
The annual Ponoka 4-H Beef show and sale went May 7 and 8 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre, consisting of the West and East Ponoka 4-H Beef clubs this year, proved fairly successful.
“I feel the judges comments are very helpful for the kids. They give the kids confidence in their projects and how to improve on their skills for showing, grooming as well as judging, said Ponoka 4-H Beef committee president James Hagemann.
“4-H is an amazing organization that relies on the support of its community for its success and we greatly appreciate all the support that we get from our sponsors and buyers to make our 4-H year and the show and sale a huge success.”
Hagemann added it couldn’t have been pulled off without the committee — made up of 4-H leaders and parents — along with other volunteers and other participants, who all chip in from the set up of the rings and pens to being judges or helping out with a variety of tasks over the two days.
“It was also the first time we had the calves penned outside and used the main arena for our show ring,” he noted. “It was an interesting change and nice for the kids.”
Along with the sale, the youth and their calves were graded and presented with awards in judging, grooming, showmanship as well as in the calves weight classes.
Coming out on top with the Grand Champion Steer was Julianna Harvey with the Reserve Champion Steer going to Emily Cline. The other top steer award — Champion Pen of Five — went to the East Ponoka Beef Club members Julianna Harvey, Tade Tonneson, Jonathan Yadlos, Oakley Tonneson and Trace Tonneson.
As for the heifer side of things, Jessy Sheppard was named Grand Champion, while Harvey was awarded the Grand Champion cow/calf with Jake Sheppard handed the Reserve Champion cow/calf.
The rest of the district awards included: Senior - grooming, judging and showmanship champion Julianna Harvey; Intermediate - grooming and showmanship Levi Harbin, judging Colter Bresee; Junior - grooming Kormac Bresee, judging Chloe Yadlos, showmanship Emily Cline.
There were a few other awards handed out on the club side with Harvey being presented with the Herdsmanship award — in memory of Fallon Jenkins — and the two club champions being Trace Tonneson (East) and Emily Cline (West). Kormac Bresee had the top rate of gain at 4.148 lbs per day and the West club took the district rate of gain at 3.517 lbs per day while the East club took the stall decorating award.
