HARRISBURG, Pa. — Eleven-year-old Bryce Fitzgerald of Chester County, took home the grand champion award with his crossbred heavyweight steer, ‘Nugent,’ Jan. 10, at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Weighing in at 1,360 pounds, Nugent won his heavyweight class, champion crossbred heavyweight and champion crossbred before taking the grand champion title. The steer’s nervousness and excitement was noted by several in the crowd when he tried to get away from Bryce.
Reserve grand champion steer went to Claudia Hissong, 13, of Franklin County, and her purebred Mainetainer, ‘Macon.’ At 1,420 pounds, Macon won his heavyweight class and champion other purebred before taking reserve grand champion. Dr. Dan Eversole, director of beef cattle programs at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., served as the judge.
Champion and reserve champions of each breed are:
Angus steer:
champion, Morgan Livingston, York Co; reserve champion: Sarah Lownes, Chester Co.
Hereford & Polled Hereford steer:
champion, Jenna Ritchey, Bedford Co.; reserve champion: Walker Dunn, Crawford Co.
Shorthorn steer:
champion, Talia Hicks, Philadelphia Co.; reserve champion: Ruby Monn, Cumberland Co.
Other Purebred Steer:
champion, Claudia Hissong, Franklin Co; Reserve Champion: Pierce Willson, Fayette Co. Champion
Lightweight Steer:
champion, Nicole Hoffman, Columbia Co; reserve champion: Doug Musser, Lancaster Co.
Middleweight steer:
champion, Scott Gardner, Fayette Co.; reserve champion: Ryan Nolt, Lancaster Co.
Light Heavyweight Steer:
champion, Megan Vonada, Clinton Co.; reserve champion: Justin Welk, Lancaster Co.
Heavyweight Steer:
champion, Bryce Fitzgerald, Chester Co.; reserve champion: Val Svonavec, Somerset Co.
Crossbred Steer:
champion, Bryce Fitzgerald, Chester Co.; reserve champion: Megan Vonada, Clinton Co.
