Saskatchewan 4-H show | Future ranchers gain experience showing animals at annual event
Colton Hamilton took his time assessing the steers assembled in the ring before him.
The class winners and reserves represented the best of a strong showing by 4-H members from across Saskatchewan at the annual Regina Spring Steer and Heifer Show.
“You better be thorough and be sure,” said the judge from Innisfail, Alta.
He narrowed the choices to four and eventually slapped Baldie, a 944 pound steer exhibited by Emily Geisel of Estevan and a member of the Benson 4-H Club. The reserve went to Mark Lustig of Bethune.
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Payton Schwan of Swift Current won the heifer championship the previous day with Brooking Annie 307, a Black Angus. Cody Lafrentz from Bienfait won the reserve with a Simmental heifer.
Hamilton said he was impressed with the quality of the animals.
“(The heifers) were really strong and the steers probably topped that today,” he said.
Geisel said she was surprised when her steer came out on top.
“I knew he was good, but I didn’t think he was that good,” she said.
The 14-year-old has been participating in 4-H events since she was nine. The Regina win represents her best showing to date.
“I’ve had first place in Regina and Yorkton (in classes),” she said.
She and Baldie have a few more dates in the show ring, including events in Yorkton, Calgary and 4-H regionals in Estevan.
“I like everything about it,” she said of showing cattle.
“I like the connection between me and the animals.”
Hamilton said Geisel’s steer was softer made than a couple of the others. Baldie was thick, stout and efficient and travelled well, which Hamilton said is a plus, even though he is a show steer.
“That speaks to foot quality,” he said.
“You still need cattle that are structurally sound. He is really a complete animal. Then I thought the reserve really fit with (the winner) the best.”
Hamilton’s judging philosophy is to look at the cattle in the show environment and calculate what will make producers money.
They need to be able to put on weight easily, have good fleshing ability and function in a feedlot setting.
“Then you add in some eye appeal,” he said.
Hamilton said the industry appears to be in capable young hands.
“This is as good a junior show as I’ve ever attended,” he said.
