Cattle competitions always a big attraction at fair
Anyone who enjoys cattle will find plenty to keep them occupied at the Fayette County Fair, with competitions for both beef and dairy animals. Events begin at noon Friday, July 31, with the Mason-Dixon Polled Hereford Association shows, judged by Thomas Modro of Senecaville, Ohio. They begin with a breeding show, followed by the steer show and then the Fayette County Fair Feeder Calf Show. Larry Chaikcic of Vanderbilt, who heads the department along with Cecilia Biggerstaff of Belle Vernon, said that participants come from southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and western Maryland.
“We’re expecting the same turnout,” said Chaikcic, who said last year’s numbers included about 40 head plus about 15 in the junior Hereford steer show, which was up.
Dairy cattle competition will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Holstein Champions Show, judged by David Trotter of Enon Valley.
“We started it in ’91, so we’re getting close to the 20th anniversary,” said Rick Allen of Smock, who heads the dairy cattle department along with Danielle Angelo of Smock. “We probably get about 100 to 120. The show draws from the surrounding counties.”
Allen noted that a lot of animals go on to compete for state honors.
The fair competition continues with judging of open class and 4-H dairy cattle at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, with Garrett Mase of Mercer as judge.
Allen estimated there will be 130 to 140 head of cattle at the fair, including all breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Red & White.
Once again, there will be a $500 award for the Supreme Champion, with half of the prize donated by Dr. Albert Barnett of Laurel Highlands Animal Hospital and half by the Fayette County Holstein Club. The award was established last year.
Beef cattle are shown on Wednesday with the 4-H and open class breeding show beginning at 9 a.m. and the 4-H market steer show starting at 6 p.m. Judge is Wendell Landis of Pennsylvania Furnace.
The breeding cattle show features Angus, Chianina, Crossbred, Maine Anjou, Piedmontese, Shorthorn, Simmental and other breeds. The steer show is divided into classes of weight with awards given for lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight classes before grand champion and reserve grand champion steers are awarded.
Showmanship is a part of the livestock competitions, with the 4-H beef cattle showmanship taking place after the steer show. The 4-H dairy cattle showmanship competition will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. These winners go on to participate in the prestigious 4-H Supreme Showman competition on Friday, Aug. 7.
New this year for the 4-H dairy cattle showmanship competition is the creation of eight awards by the Fayette County Holstein Club that will be given for the top two places in the junior, intermediate and senior division.
From these six will be chosen a grand and reserve grand champion dairy cattle showman who will also receive an additional award.
Following this competition, the Pee Wee Showman competition will be held. This contest is open to any child too young for 4-H. Allen noted there were 17 participants last year.
“They’re really cute. Sometimes the calf leads the kid,” Allen said with a laugh.