by Neil Clark

COURTLAND
Tense parents, eager grandparents and enthralled onlookers got to witness the results of several months of hard work by dedicated 4-Hers in raising, feeding, fitting and working with project animals. Many of the current exhibitors have been showing for several years now and are always willing to lend a hand and share some tips with younger exhibitors who are just beginning. Heifers, goats, poultry, rabbits, and swine were shown by 24 exhibitors.

David Cuthbertson demonstrated his overall agricultural skill by having submissions in every animal category. Additionally, he won the youth field crops contest with his entries of corn, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, sunflowers and cotton. David also made several informative posters related to row crop and animal agriculture. He’d better not rest on his laurels because his sisters, Emily and Jenna, will be giving him a run for his money in coming years. This year Emily and Jenna were Cloverbuds (< 9 years old,) so they still showed animals they were allowed to show but more as a learning experience and not competition.

David said, “My heifers were a lot of work this year. At first they were scared of me, but I talked to them and read books to them and now one of them licks me constantly.”

This is also the last year competing for Taylor Cross, who has been competing in these livestock shows for eight years.

“I started out with goats, then over the years have shown pigs and heifers,” said Taylor. “I have also shown animals at other Fairs and regional shows as well as at the State Fair. Livestock shows have been a huge part of my growth in responsibility and organizational skills. Serving as a club officer also taught me other leadership skills, as well as people and communications skills.”

Taylor is going on to study agriculture at North Carolina State University this fall.

At the other end of the barn we find our feathered friends. Poultry is a significant part of Virginia’s economy, and it is important that we do not neglect the study of these smaller statured animals. In years past the focus was on broilers and layers as production animals, to more of the backyard egg supplier or show birds and pet birds. Chickens allow more 4-Hers to participate even if they don’t live on a big farm.

As long as the young people are learning the concepts of animal care, responsibility, financial and communication skills, the type of animal is not really all that important.

Victoria Ross, 14, has shown strong in the poultry category for many years now having won at least three sweepstakes.

“Barred Rock and Buff Orpingtons are my favorite chicken breeds, they are great layers and make great backyard birds,” Victoria said.

Laurie Ross, Victoria’s mother, has always had birds and played a huge part in putting the rabbit and poultry shows together.

“There are quite of a lot of moving parts in getting parents and kids on board and helping them find animals and appropriate shelter and supplies and medical needs for these project animals, and then getting everything moved in for the show,” said Neil Clark, Extension agent. “The adult volunteers, usually parents of the exhibitors, play an huge role in making it all happen. The superintendents of these shows, particularly Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Rotzler this year, did a fantastic job in handling changing circumstances to pull off a great show where the kids and the general public gained a great amount of knowledge of poultry and rabbits. The parents really saved the day, and my hat is off to them.”

4-H Goat Show Results

Senior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Maryann Johnson

Second – Taylor Cross

Third – Lane Cross

Fourth – Kendall Pulley

Junior Fitting and Showmanship:

First – Alayna Doyle

Second – Reese Brock

Third – David Cuthbertson

Novice Fitting and Showmanship

First – Cody Thomas

Second – H. Leighton Pulley II

Cloverbud

Emily Cuthbertson

Jenna Cuthbertson

L.T. Foster

Brantley Gray

Market Goat Light

First – David Cuthbertson

Second – David Cuthbertson

Market Goat Medium

First – Kendall Pulley

Second – Reese Brock

Market Goat Heavy

First – Maryann Johnson

Second – Taylor Cross

Third – Lane Cross

Grand Champion Market Goat – Maryann Johnson

Reserve Champion Market Goat – Taylor Cross

Breeding Doe

First – H. Leighton Pulley II

Second – Taylor Cross

Third – Reese Brock

Fourth – Kendall Pulley

Fifth – Alayna Doyle

Sixth – Cody Thomas

Seventh – David Cuthbertson

Eighth – David Cuthbertson

Grand Champion Breeding Goat – H. Leighton Pulley II

Reserve Champion Breeding Goat – Taylor Cross

4-H Feeder Pig Show Results

Senior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Taylor Cross

Second – Lane Cross

Third – Rachel Butler

Fourth – Sarah Newman

Fifth – Alan Diggs Jr.

Sixth – Kendall Pulley

Junior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Kaleb Bland

Second – Georgia Butler

Third – Leighton Pulley

Fourth – David Cuthbertson

Cloverbud

Emily Cuthbertson

Jenna Cuthbertson

L.T. Foster

Brantley Gray

Lightweight Gilts

First – Kendall Pulley

Second – H. Leighton Pulley II

Third – H. Leighton Pulley II

Fourth – Kendall Pulley

Medium to Lightweight Gilts

First – Alan Diggs Jr.

Second – Kaleb Bland

Third – David Cuthbertson

Fourth – David Cuthbertson

Medium to Heavy Gilts

First – Lane Cross

Second – Georgia Butler

Third – Sarah Newman

Fourth – Georgia Butler

Fifth – Taylor Cross

Heavyweight Gilts A

First – Kaleb Bland

Second – Rachel Butler

Third – Taylor Cross

Fourth – Alan Diggs Jr.

Heavyweight Gilts B

First – Lane Cross

Second – Rachel Butler

Third – Sarah Newman

Grand Champion: Lane Cross

Reserve Champion: Kaleb Bland

Average Daily Gain Champion: Sarah Newman

4-H Heifer Show Results

Senior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Taylor Cross

Second – Wyatt Raiford

Third – Luke Giles

Junior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Kaylee Bland

Second – Kaleb Bland

Third – Reese Brock

David – Cuthbertson

Heifer Class – Age A

First – Kaylee Bland

Second – Kaleb Bland

Third – Kaleb Bland

Fourth – Taylor Cross

Heifer Class – Age B

First – Kaylee Bland

Second – Wyatt Raiford

Third – Reese Brock

Fourth – David Cuthbertson

Heifer Class – Age C

First – David Cuthbertson

Second – Luke Giles

Grand Champion Heifer: Kaylee Bland

Reserve Champion Heifer: David Cuthbertson

2018 4-H Poultry
Show Results

Senior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Victoria Ross

Junior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Cody Thomas

Second – David Cuthbertson

Cloverbud

Emily Cuthbertson

Jenna Cuthbertson

Pullets

First – Victoria Ross

Second – Victoria Ross

Third – David Cuthbertson

Hen

First – Cody Thomas

Second – Cody Thomas

Third – David Cuthbertson

Fourth – David Cuthbertson

Rooster

First – Victoria Ross

Second – David Cuthbertson

Third – David Cuthbertson

Grand Champion Overall: Victoria Ross

Reserve Champion Overall: Cody Thomas

2018 4-H Rabbit Show Results

Senior Fitting and Showmanship:

First Victoria Ross

Junior Fitting and Showmanship

First – Alayna Doyle

Second – Cody Thomas

Third – Evelyn Clark

Fourth – David Cuthbertson

Cloverbud

Emily Cuthbertson

Jenna Cuthbertson

Novice Fitting and Showmanship

First – Emma Rotzler

Senior Buck

First – Emma Rotzler

Second – Alayna Doyle

Third – David Cuthbertson

Senior Doe

First – Emma Rotzler

Second – Evelyn Clark

Third – Emma Rotzler

Fourth David Cuthbertson

Junior Buck

First – Victoria Ross

Junior Doe

First – Cody Thomas

Grand Champion Overall: Emma Rotzler

Reserve Champion Overall: Cody Thomas

This important youth development program was made possible by the generous support of these local sponsors: Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Farm Bureau of Southampton; Colonial Farm Credit; NAPA of Franklin; Birdsong Peanuts; Luck Stone; Lowe Brothers; Southampton High School FFA; Rich & Rich Bonded Auctioneers International Inc.; Meherrin Ag & Chemical Company; J.T. Barham & Co.; Severn Peanut Company; Bayer CropScience – Franklin Dowless; B&S Enterprises Inc.; Colony Tire Corporation (Emporia); Commonwealth Gin; Helena Chemical – Larry Fowler; Precision Exteriors LLC; Ballance Restoration and Cleaning; Pinnacle Ag; Berlin Farm Service; Carolina Eastern, Inc.; Dail’s Home Center; Tractor Supply Company; R.M. Felts Packing; Dixie Plant Farms; Parker Battery; Susan and Ed Spivey; Lee M. White Inc.; Southampton Veterinary Clinic; Parker Oil & Propane; and Rose Valley Farm. Thank you to all of these sponsors for their support of 4-H. A note of gratitude is similarly due to the Fair Board representatives, superintendents, judges and parents for their efforts.

NEIL CLARK is the Extension agent,ANR for the Southeaster District Forestry and Southampton UC. Contact him at 653-2572 or neclark@vt.edu.