BUTLER, Pa. — The Northwest Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association sponsored the annual Keystone Junior Beef Classic May 24-25 at the Butler Fairgrounds. Over 100 youth exhibited their beef cattle.
Exhibitors came from Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to compete for prizes. Breeds included Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Shorthorn, Simmental, and crossbred.
Overall, 76 breeding stock and 93 steers were shown. Breeding classes and steer classes were judged May 25 by Les Midla.
Females
Heather Cox of Evans City, Pa., in Butler County, won the supreme champion female banner with her Shorthorn heifer. The reserve supreme champion female was a crossbred shown by Ella Klink of Hartstown, Pa.
The champion Angus female was shown by Andrew Cranmer of Butler, Pa. The reserve champion was exhibited by Dale Marple of Oakland, Md.
Sadie Pay of Berlin Center, Ohio, exhibited the champion Hereford female, and Walker Dunn of Cochranton, Pa., showed the reserve champion.
The champion Limousin female was shown by Jocelyn Kelly of Wampum, Pa. and the reserve champion was exhibited by Chelsey Kelly of Wampum, Pa.
Dylan Giebner of Saegertown, Pa., showed the champion Maine-Anjou female, and Justine Yoder of Conneautville, Pa., exhibited the reserve champion.
The champion Shorthorn was shown by Cox and the reserve champion was exhibited by Jeanne Peoples of Grove City, Pa.
Tristann Burrows of Titusville, Pa., showed the champion Simmental female, and Cody Downs of Stoneboro, Pa., exhibited the reserve champion.
Klink showed the champion crossbred female, and Kolton Mayer of Franklin, Pa., exhibited the reserve champion.
Steer classes
Matthew Drobezko of Slippery Rock, Pa., displayed the supreme champion steer. The reserve supreme champion steer was exhibited by Evan Vonada of Mill Hall, Pa.
County steer classes were offered for counties with more than five entries. The Beaver County champion steer and reserve champion steer were both shown by Hillary Morgan of Georgetown, Pa.
The Butler County champion steer and reserve champion steer were both exhibited by Colt Filges of Butler, Pa.
Nicole McElhaney of Jamestown, Pa., showed the champion steer of Crawford County. Burrows exhibited the reserve champion steer of Crawford County.
The champion steer of Erie County, New York, was shown by Josh Hoelscher of Eden, N.Y., and the reserve champion steer was exhibited by Libby Kelkenberg of Clarence Center, N.Y.
Drobezko owned the champion steer of Lawrence County. The reserve champion steer belonged to Lindsey Beatty of Enon Valley, Pa.
Richard Henry of Grove City, Pa., showed the champion steer of Mercer County, and Cody McKean of Mercer, Pa., exhibited the reserve champion steer.
The Venango County champion steer was displayed by Alison Horn of Seneca, Pa., and the reserve champion steer belonged to Jeff Weaver of Seneca, Pa.
Exhibitors from counties with less than five entries showed in the open steer classes. The champion and reserve champion steers of these heats were both shown by Evan Vonada of Mill Hall, Pa.
Showmanship
Showmanship classes were held May 24 and judged by Jamie Campbell. Filges won showmanship in the 18-21 age group. Bruce Frederick of Zelienople, Pa., won in the 16-17 age group.
Marshall McKean of Mercer, Pa., took the top spot in the 14-15 age division. Drobezko won in the 12-13 age division.
Rachel McKean of Mercer was the winner for ages 10-11. Katelen Shuler of Butler topped the age 9 and under class.
Ninety-four youth participated in showmanship.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Keystone Junior Beef Classic. Entry forms are sent out in February. Contact Al Vogel at 724-538-8413 if you would like to be added to the mailing list.
