The theme at this year’s 150th N.C .State Fair was “Nothing Could Be Finer” and Richmond County 4-H’ers proved just that by their strong showing at events this year! Youth exhibited in the Junior Meat Goat, Junior Meat Goat Showmanship, Junior Doe Goat, and Junior Doe Showmanship shows.
The 4-H Livestock Club was busy for several days at the fair. During the Junior Meat Goat Show, eight Richmond County youth displayed their finished products. They have been working with their animals since June and sold their goats during the fair. Richmond County youth competing in the Junior Meat Goat Show included Ella Shelley, Rhett Shelley, Lexi Reep, Ava Berry, Coleman Berry, Tobey Lunceford, DeLani Reep, and Savannah Shepard.
Ella Shelley placed 4th in class 1 and Coleman Berry placed 2nd in class 9. Coleman Berry was in the wether championship drive. Ava and Coleman Berry each received a showmanship pin and were selected to return to the ring for the championship drive for the meat goat wether showmanship class.
Iron Horse Auction Company and Tractor Supply purchased the Grand Champion market wether which was also the Got to Be N.C. Champion goat for $17,500. This goat was purchased and shown by Caleb Hinson from Haywood County originally from the John and Velma McInnis Farm in Ellerbe. The Got to Be NC award proves that we have goats with excellent genetics not only in North Carolina, but even more specifically in Richmond County.
The Richmond County youth did just as well in the Junior Doe Goat and the Junior Doe Showmanship Shows. Four Richmond County youth displayed their commercial breeding does. They have been working with their animals since June and the animals returned after the State Fair to the farm to be bred. Youth competing in the Junior Meat Goat Doe Show included Ava Berry, Coleman Berry, Shepard and Gavin Sessoms.
Ava Berry placed 1st and Got to Be NC doe in class 1; Savannah Shepard placed 2nd in class 4, Coleman Berry placed 3rd in class 9, Coleman Berry placed 4th, Sessoms placed 5th, and Shepard placed 6th all in class 11. Ava Berry and Shepard were in the championship drive for the doe show. Ava Berry, Shepard, and Coleman Berry all received showmanship pins and were selected to return to the ring for the championship drive in the meat goat doe showmanship class.
Congratulations to all of these young people and special thanks to all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and community members who traveled to the fair to support these youth as they strive “To Make The Best Better” in Richmond County!
Tiffanee Conrad is the Richmond County livestock agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Rockingham.
