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By Danny Lough

Extension 4-H Agent

and Phil Rucker,

Extension livestock agent

The Annual Yadkin-Davie 4-H Livestock Show provides an avenue for local youth to showcase their animals as well as the knowledge they gained through this project.

Several local youth exhibited winning entries and/or project record books at this year’s show.

The COVID pandemic has put numerous events on hold but the Yadkin-Davie 4-H Livestock Show was not one of its victims. The 2020 show was held virtually so the youth could display their projects without the threat of the COVID virus.

The participating youth submitted videos of them exhibiting their livestock and answered questions to show their knowledge of the livestock industry. This year several area youth exhibited their livestock entries they have been tending for the past several months.

This project teaches the kids lessons in responsibility, sportsmanship, care of animals and budgeting. This year the kids learned a few new lessons in patience, adaptability and technology skills.

Show judge Adam Lawing, Cooperative Extension livestock agent in Randolph County, had the task of sorting through the classes and placing the entries. A tough job with live animals and even more challenging when only using videos.

When the final class was placed, Davie County participants were able to hold their head high for their many accomplishments.

In the Market Steer competition, Bailey Dyson’s two  steers were awarded Grand and Reserve Grand Champion. Bailey also garnered Champion Senior Beef Showman.

In the Junior Sheep Showmanship Class, Addy Buchanan edged Charlee Dyson for champion honors and Charlee collected reserve champion honors.

The Senior Sheep Showmanship was tight as Bailey Dyson took champion honors, Kasey Williford brought home reserve while Nathan Haskin, Holt Carter and Riley Crotts made the class competitive.

The Market Lamb show was full of quality lambs from top to bottom. The judge made his final placings and Kasey Williford received champion, Nathan Haskin was awarded reserve while Bailey Dyson, Holt Carter and Charlee Dyson worked hard to impress the judge with their entries.

In the breeding ewe classes, Addy Buchanan, Nathan Haskins and Kasey Williford had class winners. Judge Lawing selected Addy’s ewe for champion and Nathan’s ewe for reserve. Bailey Dyson, Riley Crotts and Charlee Dyson had ewes that provided lots of competition for these classes.

Participants also prepared a project record book where they kept track of the animal’s growth, project expenses as well as write some of the things they learned throughout the project.

Winners in the project record competition were Charlie Dyson in the 8-10 age bracket. Addy Buchanan placed first in the 11-12 year old division. In the 13-15 year old category Bailey Dyson placed first, Holt Carter placed second and Riley Crotts was a close third. Kasey Williford earned a first place ribbon in the 16-18 age bracket with Nathan Haskin right behind her.

This year’s show was a successful educational event with several new participants. These youth have worked hard and deserve a lot of credit for their accomplishments.