Provided By Neil Clark, Southampton County Extension Agent

Leadership, Life Skills, and Sportsmanship Are Prime Outputs of Livestock Competition

The Southampton County 4H Livestock Club culminated its 2010 season with its Annual Award Banquet last evening.  Throughout the year 22 youth were involved in the planning, husbandry, training, business recordkeeping, presentation, and showmanship of market goats, market lambs, feeder steer, rabbits, and poultry.  “Having a successful program such as this despite being absent a dedicated 4H agent for 2 years now really demonstrates the commitment of the parents, volunteers, and the community toward youth leadership development in Southampton County,” stated Neil Clark, Interim Agricultural Extension Agent for Southampton County.  “Special gratitude is also greatly deserved for the efforts of Teisha Evans, Unit Administrative Assistant for Southampton Extension, who has kept a large portion of both the 4-H and Agricultural programs moving for the better part of the last 2 years” stated Clark.

“I just love the animals” Bradley Hammond added with as wide of a grin as his 8-year-old face could muster.  Bradley participated in numerous events and really made an incredible debut.  Even the more veteran exhibitors continued to learn new things and make improvements as stockmen and in personal development.  “This year’s drought and heat really presented some challenges over previous years,” mentioned Jeffery Vincent, winner of this year’s sweepstakes award for feeder steer.  Many of the young farmers had to take special measures to relieve their animals from heat stress. 

Kelsey Shaffer received one of the top awards of the night, the Robbie Pulley Memorial Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating exemplary characteristics of unselfishness, solid work ethic, respectfulness, and a positive attitude.  “I am excited to have gotten this award.  It is quite special” announced the shocked Shaffer.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and perseverance of volunteers: Jennifer Vincent, Jennifer Cuthbertson, Glenn Updike, Amy Lehman, Walt Young Jr., Walter Young III, Mike Holland, .  Several individuals also were immensely valuable in serving as judges and with providing support services: Brent Jennings, Clarence Jennings, Bob McDonald, Fair Queen Megan Reville, Craig Holland, Mike Holland, Johnny Hawthorne, Kelvin Wells and the Board of the Franklin-Southampton Fair.

Results

Market Lamb:

1^st place & Grand Champion - Bradley Hammond
2^nd place & Reserve Champion - Bradley Hammond

Market Goat:

Light Weight (<70 lbs):  

1^st place:  Carter Brittle
2^nd place:  Bradley Hammond
3^rd place:  Amanda Gowins

Middle Weight (70 - 80 lbs):        

1^st place:  Phillip Carr Jr.
2^nd place:  Edythe Carr
3^rd place:  Kelsey Shaffer

Heavy Weight (> 80 lbs):
1^st place:  Lee Johnson
2^nd place:  Maryann Johnson
3^rd place:  Bradley Hammond

Feeder Steer:

Senior Fitting and Showmanship:          
1^st place:  Jeffrey Vincent
2^nd place:  Janie Young
3^rd place:  Ethan Holland

Junior Fitting and Showmanship:           
1^st place:  Phillip Carr Jr.
2^nd place:  Megan Vincent
3^rd place:  Kelsey Shaffer

Novice Fitting and Showmanship:         
1^st place:  Edythe Carr

Light Weight (< 550 lbs):           

1^st place & Grand Champion:  Jeffrey Vincent
2^nd place:  Ethan Holland

Middle Weight ( 550-600 lbs):    

1^st place & Reserve Champion:  Megan Vincent

Heavy Weight (600 - 700 lbs):
1^st place:  Phillip Carr Jr.
2^nd place:  Janie Young
3^rd place:  Edythe Carr

Carter Brittle, Cole Brittle, Whitley Brittle, Luke Giles, and Maryann Johnson participated as Cloverbud Goat Exhibitors, in showmanship, costume, and obstacle course competitions.

Competition was also stiff amongst the poultry and rabbit exhibitors.  Elena Dallabrida, Elizabeth Dallabrida, Hannah Dallabrida, Amanda Gowins, Connor Gowins, Holly Gowins, Andrew Shaffer, Joshua Shaffer all collaborated to put on an impressive and varied display of poultry and rabbits.

<Caption>  Southampton County 4H Livestock, Poultry, and Rabbit Exhibitors

Special sponsorship awards of $50 per animal were donated to each exhibitor by Mr. Richard Vaughn of Rich and Rich Bonded Auctioneers and the members, shareholders, and staff of the Suffolk Cotton Gin as a result of donated proceeds of the annual auction held at the Gin Yard.  The 4H Program of Southampton County wishes to thank all of the sponsors who made this program possible.

B & S Enterprises

Bayer CropScience

Carolina-Eastern, LLC

Coastal Agro Business, Inc.

Colonial Farm Credit

Commonwealth Gin

Dail’s Home Center

Dixie Plant Farm

Farm Bureau

Helena Chemical

Johnson’s Auto Parts

Lee M. White

Meherrin Ag & Chemical Co.

Parker Oil

Pinecroft Farms

Precision Exteriors, LLC

Rich & Rich Bonded Auctioneers International, Inc.

R.O. Mayes Grain

Rose Valley Farm

Suffolk Gin

W. Group, LLC