Contributed photo Livestock Judge, Ron Hughes & 4-H Livestock Club member, Kane Butler with his goat.

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The annual 4-H Farm Credit Showmanship Circuit Livestock season has begun.

This year’s circuit consists of Alexander, Anson, Bladen, Catawba, Chatham, Columbus, Cumberland, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Lincoln, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, and Union counties.

The Chatham/Randolph County 4-H Livestock Show attracted youth from five of the circuit counties, including Guilford, Hoke, Moore, Montgomery, and Richmond. A total of 35 4-H’ers brought approximately 60 animals to the Palomino Sport Arena in Goldston, N.C.

The Richmond County 4-H Livestock Club showed their stuff on Saturday by competing strongly in every event, according to Richmond County 4-H officials. Richmond County 4-H’ers took home several of the major awards of the show.

The club members competing in the Farm Credit 4-H Showmanship Circuit are Coleman Berry, Braxton Butler, Kane Butler, Kayla Butler, Jordan Carroll, Alex Chappell, Madelyn Chappell, Savannah Chappell, Taylor Chappell, Nathan Ezzell, Tyler Gerald, Zachary Gerald, Abigail Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Garrett Hamilton, Tobey Lunceford, Eli Maske, Sarah Maske, Madison McInnis, Michaela McInnis, Alana McQueen, DeLani Reep, Kristi Reep, Payton Smith, Marissa Sweet, Faith Thompson, and Garrett Thompson.

“Everyone in the club did a fantastic job and is looking forward to the rest of the show season,” said Carol Capel, spokesperson for Richmond County 4-H Livestock club.

Kayla Butler was awarded the Senior Showmanship 2nd place award. Brianna Hamilton was the Intermediate 11-13 Showmanship 1st place winner while Jordan Carroll came in 2nd; Madelyn Chappell 3rd and Savannah Chappell followed in 4th place. Abigail Hamilton won the Junior 9-10 Showmanship 1st place while Taylor Chappell came in 2nd and Kane Butler placed 3rd.

The Showmanship classes are designed to gauge the 4-H’ers knowledge, skill with the animal, and hard work. 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.

Coleman Berry showed the Grand Champion Doe and Jordan Carroll 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.

Wethers, castrated male goats, are judged on the total marketability of the animal. Jessica Robinette of Guilford County showed the Grand Champion Market Wether. Lauren Voss of Moore County showed the Reserve Champion Market Wether.

For more information about 4-H Livestock, please contact Laura Grier, 4-H Extension Agent, or Tiffanee Conrad-Acuña, Livestock Extension Agent at 997-8255 or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/richmondcounty4h.