Submitted by Caroline Brown

Extension Agent

MUFREESBORO – Twenty-nine exhibitors from Hertford, Northampton, and Bertie counties participated in the 31st annual Hertford-Northampton 4-H Livestock Show and Sale on Wednesday, June 12. The Cooperative Extension Service offices sponsored the event.

The day was a great success and a culmination of many months of hard work. Students participating in the Show and Sale obtained their animals a minimum of two months prior to the show and worked with their animal daily.

Animals shown this year included steers, goats, sheep, hogs, and a heifer. Exhibitors fed and watered their animals while acclimating the animal to people. Usually the animals are not halter broken when the child begins the project; it takes hard work and patience to prepare the animals for show day.

Each livestock exhibitor entered the ring twice on show day, once for the Showmanship class and then again for the Market class. During the Showmanship class, participants were judged on their knowledge of the animal and their show etiquette. In the Market class, the animal was judged on muscular development, finish, structure, size, and carcass qualities. Exhibitors are grouped according to their age for the Showmanship class and the animals are grouped according to weight for the Market class. Youth ages five to eight were classified as “Junior Achievers” and received a participation award. Although neither they nor their animals competed, their enthusiasm was strong.

The Livestock Show began at 1 p.m. with swine being shown first. Ryan Daughtry of Northampton County was the Senior Showmanship winner and Kathryn Long of Northampton County was the Junior Showmanship winner. Kathryn Long showed the Grand Champion hog and John Thomas Taylor of Hertford County had the Reserve Champion hog. Other hog showmen, all from Northampton County, were Kiersten Flythe, Hunter Martin, Emalee Jones, Justin Jones, and Savannah Martin.

Participants from Bertie County exhibited the two steers and a heifer this year. Brittany Mizelle won the Showmanship award with her heifer; Tommy Cowan had the Grand Champion steer and Caleb Johnson had the Reserve Champion steer.

The goat show had the greatest amount of participants, 13 in all.  The senior Showmanship winner was Dana Vann of Northampton County and Marlon Kunstler of Hertford County was the Junior Showmanship winner. Dana Vann also exhibited the Grand Champion goat followed by Bridgette Vandiford, also of Northampton County, with the Reserve Champion goat. Other goat showmen were Wyatt Reece (Northampton), Moriah Martin (Northampton), Bryson Andrews (Hertford), Delenn Cahoon (Northampton), Bailey Vann (Northampton), Thomas Ellison (Northampton), Jessie Cobb (Bertie), Bethany Martin (Northampton), Jake Bryant (Northampton), and Matt Ellison (Northampton).

The final category for the Livestock Show was sheep. Elizabeth Vann of Northampton County was the Senior Showmanship winner and Brittany Vandiford of Northampton County was the Junior Showmanship winner. Brooke Vann showed the Grand Champion sheep and Brittany Vandiford showed the Reserve Champion sheep. Both girls were from Northampton County. Other sheep exhibitors, all from Northampton County, were: Sarah DeBerry, Jadon Simmons, and Bridgette Vandiford.

Every year, high school seniors participating in the Livestock Show and Sale are eligible to apply for the Bill Bridgers 4-H Scholarship. Bill Bridgers was fundamental in starting the Hertford-Northampton 4-H Livestock Show and Sale and his passion and enthusiasm for the show was great. This year, Dana Vann and Bridgette Vandiford won scholarships given in his honor. His wife, Marion Bridgers, and his son, Billy Boy Bridgers, were there to present the scholarship.

The Show is only half of the day’s events. The Livestock Sale was an auction that began at 7 p.m. The 4-H’ers success extended into the sale ring. Grand and Reserve Champion buyers were: Producer’s Cotton Gin, Newsome Farms, Phil Coggins Insurance Agency, Jesse Vaughan Farms, Bertie County Farm Bureau, Severn and Pendleton Ruritan Club, Becky Turner, Steven and Lori Burgess, Hertford County Farm Bureau, Northampton County Farm Bureau, Southern Bank, Gay Implement, Pierce Farms, and Lassiter Family Farms. Many businesses and individuals from Northampton, Hertford, and Bertie counties supported the 4-H showmen and there support was most appreciated.

The 31st annual Hertford-Northampton 4-H Livestock Show and Sale was a success thanks to so many people. Without the support of parents, businesses, 4-H members, and volunteers, the show would not have been possible. The Cooperative Extension offices would like to thank everyone who so generously invested in this year’s Show and Sale. Organizers are already looking forward to next year’s event.

If you would like more information about the 4-H livestock program in your county, please contact your County Extension office: Hertford (252-358-7822), Bertie (252-794-5317), or Northampton (252-534-2711).