Justin Hall had more on his mind than showing the grand champion steer at Agribition’s Spring Steer and Heifer Show last weekend.
Just days earlier, he learned that his high school, Robert Usher Collegiate in Regina, will close at the end of June.
The Grade 11 student, who lives near Craven, Sask., isn’t too happy about finishing his secondary education at a different school.
But he already knows what he’s going to do when he’s done – join the family cattle business.
“That’s my plan,” he said.
Read Also
Alberta eases water access for riparian restoration
Alberta government removes requirement for temporary diversion licence to water plants up to 100 cubic metres per day for smaller riparian restoration projects
Hall’s Cattle Co. is well known in the industry for its Maine Anjou and now its Black Angus cattle through the Poley Hall Partnership.
Hall, a member of the Valley View 4-H Beef Club, has won the spring steer show several times.
He and his black-and-white Maine cross came out of a tough split in the 12 that made up this year’s steer competition.
The reserve grand champion, a Maine-Simmental cross shown by Renee Boutin of Alida, Sask., was also in the class.
Judge Bill Huber of Lipton, Sask., said the overall quality of the show was strong, but especially at the top end.
“He was a tremendously thick calf with a lot of red meat,” Huber said of the winner.
The heifer show a day earlier was also strong, he said.
Huber has judged all over North America and last weekend was the third time in the 25-year history of the spring show that he was asked to do the honours in Regina.
He enjoys seeing top quality cattle shown by young 4-H members.
“If you’re going to be in the cattle business today, you’ve got to have good ones,” he said.
“Don’t scrimp and save on buying bulls and breeding cattle.”
Hall also won the reserve championship in the Angus heifer competition behind Devin Yuke of Moose Jaw.
Chance Jackson of Sedley, Sask., showed the Red Angus heifer champion, while Jenna Schmidt of Watrous, Sask., had the reserve.
The champion Charolais was exhibited by Scott Sunderland of St. Front, Sask. Megan Rosso of Moose Jaw had the reserve.
Lisa Hordos of Raymore, Sask., showed the champion Hereford, while Matthew Hordos had the reserve.
The champion Shorthorn was exhibited by Kelsey Cooper of Craven, Sask. Nevin Gordon of Griffin, Sask., showed the reserve.
Winners in the Simmental class were both from Moose Jaw. Ryan Manz showed the champion and Brian Barnett showed the reserve winner.
Winner of the grand champion commercial heifer was Joanne Schmitt of Arborfield, Sask., with a Maine-Angus-Simmental cross. The reserve winner was Kyle Hale of Lockwood, Sask.
And the interbreed winners were Brodie Gutzke of Weyburn, Sask., and Erin Hepper of Zehner, Sask.
In the showmanship events, Krista Dust of Humboldt, Sask. won the grand championship in the senior class, followed by Gutzke.
Jackson was the intermediate winner, and Robert Pineo of Weyburn won reserve.
The junior grand champion was Michelle Hordos of Raymore, Sask. Davis Schmidt of Watrous, Sask., won reserve.
There were two entries in the Cloverbud division for ages 6 to 8. Lexi Hicks of Mortlach, Sask., was first and Jenna Schmidt of Watrous was second.
Judging winners were: Carla Schmitt, Arborfield, senior; Katie Wright, Melfort, Sask., intermediate; and, Brittany Hunt, Tisdale, Sask., junior.
This year’s show was the first to be administered by Canadian Western Agribition after an agreement was signed last November.
Show chair Reed Andrew said the partnership with volunteers worked well.
Entries were up 10 percent to 163 head from 118 exhibitors representing 27 clubs.
“People use this as a training ground in a lot of ways,” Andrew said. “The quality is just getting better and better every year.”
Agribition chief executive officer Jason Pollock said he was also impressed.
“This is a great opportunity to invest in the future of Agribition,” he said, since many of the young exhibitors could one day show at the annual fall event.
Pollock said next year will feature some changes, including an expanded trade show and perhaps equine classes.
