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Junior Beef Roundup Results
Livestock Update, June 1997
Mark L. Wahlberg, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech
A record number of cattle were shown at the 1997 Virginia Junior Beef Roundup. At this event, held April 26-27 as part of the Beef Expo, 301 cattle were exhibited by young people in 8 different shows. There were 5 different breed associations that conducted shows for their members, representing Angus, Hereford, Red Angus , Shorthorn, and Simmental breeds. In addition, shows for other breeds of registered heifers, Commercial Replacement heifers, and a large steer show were held.
Two judges were used to place the cattle in the shows. The lead judge was Keith Bryan, who is an instructor at Pennsylvania State University in their Department of Dairy and Animal Science. Keith advises the Block and Bridle Club, teaches undergraduate classes in livestock evaluation, and coaches Penn State's intercollegiate judging team. When two shows ran simultaneously a second judge was put to work. This was Richard Jenkins of Abingdon, who represents Merck and Company in Virginia. Richard is involved in an Angus cattle operation of his own which shows and sells many good cattle each year.
Angus heifers were shown in two divisions. The Bred-and-Owned Champion was exhibited by Katie Updike of Washington, with Tommy Carper of White Post taking Reserve Champion honors. The Owned division was won by Brooke Lawson with an April daughter of Rito 9FB3. Scott Updike of Washington took Reserve Champion with another 9FB3 daughter that came out of the March class. Fifty-five exhibitors showed 89 Angus cattle.
The Hereford show consisted of 39 cattle. Champion heifer was a bred-and-owned entry of Michelle Pullen from Charlottesville. The Reserve Champion heifer was a Senior Yearling that was also bred-and-owned by Cathy Hess of Harrisonburg. Hereford exhibitors also showed bred-and-owned bulls and steers.
A small group of 8 high quality heifers were shown by the Red Angus exhibitors. In this show which was sponsored by the Mason-Dixon Red Angus Association, Chris Hudson of Highland Springs led the Champion female. The Reserve Champion was senior calf presented by Robin Tate of Ashland.
The Shorthorn show saw Nick Belcher of Abingdon come into the winners circle with both Champion and Reserve Champion female. An excellent steer led by Will Hoff of Purcellville was named Champion of the Shorthorn show. Sixteen cattle were presented in the Shorthorn show.
The Virginia Simmental Association conducted an excellent show of 29 cattle from 14 different exhibitors. Susanne Potter of Lexington showed the Champion female, a bred-and-owned heifer from the senior yearling division. Also from the senior yearling group was the Reserve Champion, shown by Kristy Mohler of Rockbridge Baths. Simmental exhibitors also presented bred-and-owned bulls and cow-calf pairs.
Other breeds of Registered Heifers consisted of Charolais, Tarentaise and Brangus females. This year both champions were Charolais, with the Champion shown by April Kyger of Port Republic and Reserve Champion exhibited by Austin Streeter of Orlean.
In the commercial heifer show 24 exhibitors paraded 26 females. The Champion was an April yearling shown by Amanda Riggleman of Winchester. J.T. Begoon of Grottoes showed the Reserve Champion, a calf born in June.
Ending the event was an 88-head steer show. The quality ran deep as 9 classes of steers were shown. Taking Champion honors for a second year in a row was Clayton Wieben of Leesburg. Reserve Champion steer was led by Jason Michael of Mt. Solon. Sixty-nine different exhibitors presented steers in the 1997 event.
Showmanship was conducted in 4 different age divisions. From the 31 contestants in the senior division the Champion was Clayton Wieben of Leesburg, with Reserve Champion going to Tommy Carper of White Post. Intermediate showmanship consisted of 29 contestants with Linda Harris of Roanoke taking the Championship and Jason Zambanini of Berryville receiving Reserve Champion honors. The Junior division involved 22 competitors with David Massie of Amissville winning the Championship and Chelsea Wieben of Leesburg being named Reserve Champion. Nine novices were in their first year showing beef cattle. The Champion was Brooke Everheart of Richmond, and Ashley Hummer of Purcellville won Reserve Champion.
The Virginia Beef Roundup is generously supported by several businesses and organizations throughout Virginia. Sponsors include the Virginia Cattle Associations representing Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Shorthorn, and Simmental breeds. Corporate sponsorship comes from the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Rockingham and Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association. The State Fair of Virginia generously provided all awards provided in the showmanship, commercial heifer, and steer show classes and for the beef producers contest.