By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Competitors in the arena on Wednesday evening milked the judges for all they were worth as the dairy feeders and Holstein steers were put to the test.
The dairy feeders were split into lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight classes before choosing the overall winner.
The overall Champion and Reserve Champion matched that of the heavyweight division with Dalton Hoover’s calf taking the championship and Michelle Flick’s calf taking the reserve.
Hoover said, “Basically feed and water them every day and walk them once or twice a day morning or night.”
Dalton said his favorite aspect was getting to show the cattle.
Prior to the Dairy Feeder Show, calves were entered into the Showmanship Competition, though instead of quality of the calves competitors were tested by the owner’s age group.
Taking the intermediate championship for showmanship Zach Moritz explained how he prepared for the championship.
“You just got to be able to move their hooves the way you want them to, and you got to know what the judge wants.” Moritz said. “Every two years it changes so you really got to watch the other shows.”
The final competition of the night was the Holstein Steer Show. Elaina Sellman took the championship with Kyle Hudson finishing as reserve.
Sellman said, ”Feeding it and walking it and preparing it to be led around with the chain halter, and getting it used to getting around to different objects, like vehicles, bleachers, gates, and things that are different than their pen.”
On Thursday the arena will host the District 9 Holstein Show at noon, and at 5 p.m. the Junior Market Hogs take over the arena.
Results:
Dairy Feeder Showmanship:
Senior:
Champion – Taylor Lutz
Reserve – Haley Kocher
Intermediate:
Champion – Zach Moritz
Reserve – Claire Ehman
Junior:
Champion – Emma Rhodes
Reserve – Zach Harrer
Dairy Feeder Show:
Lightweight:
Champion – Ryley Kantzer
Reserve – Kendra Hudson
Middleweight:
Champion – Addison Ackerman
Reserve – Rodney Rike
Heavyweight:
Champion – Dalton Hoover
Reserve – Michelle Flick
Overall:
Champion – Dalton Hoover
Reserve – Michelle Flick
Holstein Steer:
Champion – Elaina Sellman
Reserve – Kyle Hudson