"Herd" What Happened at the 4-H Goat Show?!?

Most people will tell you that “office hours” do not include Saturdays, but the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office was hard at work this past Saturday hosting the 2008 Richmond County Goat Show. The Richmond County Show attracted youth from 8 counties, including Anson, Columbus, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond and Union Counties. A total of 35 4-H’ers brought more than 60 animals to the farm of Dale Dewitt in Ellerbe.

The Richmond County 4-H Livestock Club really showed their stuff on Saturday by competing strongly in every event. Richmond County 4-H’ers took home all of major awards of the show. The club members are: Trey McInnis, Savannah Chappell, DeLani Reep, Christin Deese, Taylor Chappell, Jordan Carroll, Sarah Maske, Grayson McQueen, Nathan Ezzell, Madelyn Chappell, Abby Allen, Bobbie Martin, Ryan McInnis, Elizabeth Deese, Michael Ezzell, Brianna Hamilton and Abigail Hamilton. Everyone in the club did a fantastic job and is looking forward to the rest of the show season.

Abby Allen was awarded the Senior Showmanship award, while Elizabeth Deese was the Junior 11-13 Showmanship winner and Christin Deese won the Junior 9-10 Showmanship division. The Showmanship classes are designed to gauge the 4-H’ers knowledge, skill, and hard work logged with the animal before the show. 4-H’ers can be asked questions about their animals and how they are cared for while presenting the animal to the best of their ability for the judge.

Ryan McInnis, a 4-H’er from Richmond County, showed the Grand Champion Doe. Jordan Carroll of Richmond County showed the Reserve Champion Doe. Does are females who will be bred and will continue production on the farm. Does are judged on their frame and structure based on how they would carry the extra weight of being pregnant and the stress of milking.

Both the Grand and Reserve Champion Market Wethers were from Richmond County. Wethers are judged on the total marketability of the animal. The Grand Champion Market Wether was shown by Christin Deese of Richmond County. Elizabeth Deese, also of Richmond County, showed the Reserve Champion Market Wether.

We would like to again thank our Richmond County 4-H Goat Show Sponsors who have already contributed: Richmond County Farm Bureau, Inc., Richmond County Tourism Authority, Iron Horse Auction Co., Mrs. Leeann Crump, Champion Ford, E.E. Vuncannon, Inc., Fiesta Brava, Triple L Farms, Hideaway Farms, Wal-Mart, Jordan & Jordan Enterprises, Robinson's Diesel Shop, Carolina Farm Credit, Andrews Farm Produce, Awards Plus & Kitty Kat’s Embroidery, Wiley Mabe, and Ellerbe Pharmacy. Several individuals and businesses donated funds that were used to purchase pens to be used at the show, including: John McInnis Farm, Danny & Glenda McInnis, Scotland Motors, Inc, Lee Howell & family, and Fidelity Bank. Special thanks to Edwin Richardson of Farm Bureau for awarding plaques and ribbons and to Dale & Melanie DeWitt for donating outstanding show facilities and serving as the ring steward and show announcer for the day.

To join these youngsters as "Future 4-H Showman" please contact Michelle Stumbo, 4-H Extension Agent, or Tiffanee Conrad-Acuña, Livestock Extension Agent at 997-8255. United Way of Richmond County also supports Richmond County 4-H Club activities.