By Jordan Studer
One-hundred and forty Dairy Feeder Calves were entered into the Junior Fair Dairy Feeder Show Wednesday evening, and the night was competitive. Three weight classes, Lightweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight, all competed for the title of Grand Champion Overall Dairy Feeder.
Taking home the title of Grand Champion Lightweight was Zach Harer, a four-year 4-H member of Lykens Champions 4-H club. Keith Ehmann won Reserve Champion Lightweight title.
Harer explained that although he had shown Dairy Feeders for all four years of his 4-H career, he was excited, yet surprised to win the title of Grand Champion Lightweight for the first time.
While Judge Clayton Boyert was making his choice on the Grand and Reserve Champion for the Middleweight class, he described that particular class as ‘one of the toughest lineups he has ever seen. The final decision was made and Ehmann, a five-year member of Dairy Maids and Gents 4-Club, won the title of Grand Champion Middleweight. Taking the title of Reserve Champion Middleweight was James Schiefer.
Ehmann described his feeling of excitement after being awarded two winning titles. He explained that he had put a lot of hard work into preparing for that very moment.
Heavyweight Grand Champion was awarded to a 4-H member of Liberty Leaders 4-H Club, Lane Rike. Harer was able to snatch another title with the winning of Heavyweight Reserve Champion.
Before awarding Grand Champion Overall Dairy Feeder, Boyert told the arena that he had been to and judged many shows, but he felt that the Crawford County Junior Fair Dairy Feeder Show had been run very well. Commenting on the organization and the smooth way the show had been run, Boyert even described the show as a “top-notch quality show”.
Then, the moment had finally come to award the Grand and Reserve Overall Dairy Feeder titles. After a bit of comparing, the Heavyweight Grand Champion, Rike, had come out on top. Harer followed right behind as Reserve Champion Overall Dairy Feeder with his Lightweight Grand Champion calf.
Rike explained that he had shown Dairy Feeders for three years and a lot of hard work had been put into preparing for a Grand Champion title. When speaking to Rike about his feelings after being awarded Grand Champion Overall, his description was short and sweet, saying he felt “amazing.”
Rike’s mother, Bridget, excitedly described how delighted she was to see L. Rike’s dedication to his project finally pay off.
“It’s so exciting! Oh, he worked so hard! He just kept with it. I was a little nervous because of the size of it (the calf), but my heart is pounding I’m just so proud of him,” B. Rike explained.
After it was all said and done, many showmen, families, and the Dairy Feeder Committee Members could put 2017 down in the books as another very successful year for the Dairy Feeder show.
For a list of winners, see below.
Lightweight
Grand Champion –Zach Harer, Lykens Champions 4-H Club
Reserve Champion –Keith Ehmann, Dairy Maids and Gents 4-H Club
Middleweight
Grand Champion –Keith Ehmann, Dairy Maids and Gents 4-H Club
Reserve Champion –James Schiefer, Lykens Champions 4-H Club
Heavyweight
Grand Champion –Lane Rike, Liberty Leaders 4-H Club
Reserve Champion –Zach Harer, Lykens Champions 4-H Club
Overall Dairy Feeder
Grand Champion –Lane Rike, Liberty Leaders 4-H Club
Reserve Champion –Zach Harer, Lykens Champions 4-H Club