Delia Arena was packed Monday as members of the Drumheller and District 4-H beef clubs, Delia, Rumsey-Rowley, and Hesketh, gathered for the annual Show and Sale.
Throughout the evening, bidders consistently paid top dollar for the steers raised by the area’s 4-H members.
The Grand Champion of the Show was sold for $6,659.90. The 1,417 pound steer, George, was raised by Rumsey-Rowley Club member Jorden Ferguson and purchased by Armand Tessier of Drumheller Chrysler for $4.70 per pound.
“It feels pretty good,” said Ferguson. “It took a lot of halter-breaking, feeding, and hard work.”
The Grand Champion went to Jorden Ferguson (left) for her 1,417 pound steer, George. Ferguson and George were first up at the Show and Sale, where Armand Tessier, of Drumheller Chrysler, won with a bid of $4.70 per pound, for a total of $6,659.90.
The stands erupted with applause at the huge sale, which opened the annual auction.
Next up was Reserve Champion Connor McDougald who earned a similar price for his 1,439 pound steer. Western Chevrolet in Drumheller, purchased the steer at $4.30 per pound, for a total of $6,187.70
Connor McDougald (left) and his 1,439 pound steer were named Reserve Champion at the Drumheller and District 4-H Show and Sale. Mike Bell, who posed with McDougald, and Hellar Pylypiw and Pat Mohan from Western Chevrolet bought the steer at $4.30 per pound, for a total of $6,187.70
The remaining award winners also received some pretty high prices.
The senior showmanship award was won by Lowell Nelson for his 1,273 pound steer, who fetched a price of $3.75 per pound from Westergard Motors in Drumheller.
Intermediate showmanship and grooming winner Makenzie Schnuelle’s steer went for $3.80 per pound to Gregory Oilfield Services.
Junior grooming champion Cole Morlock received $4.45 per pound for his 1,406 pound steer. Grandparents Darryl and Paula Collette wanted to support their grandson and bought the animal.
The junior showmanship award was won by Matthew Howard for his massive 1,452 pound steer. Evergreen Equipment Ltd. paid $2.60 per pound for the animal.
The last award, the best rate of gain, went to Quinn Nelson for her 1,403 pound steer, which gained 3.49 pounds per day.
Overall, the quality of cattle was deemed high by judges.
"Dave Vikse, Confirmation Judge, Tracee Vikse, Showmanship Judge, and Ayden Almberg, Grooming Judge, commented on the high quality of the animals at the show and the great job done by all members with their showmanship and grooming,” said Janice Hoover,
Prior to the Show and Sale, the second annual Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Lowell Nelson. The scholarship was created in memory of Carlie Bell, a 4-H member who was extremely active with the Morrin Multi Club, but who passed away in 2011 from viral encephalitis. The scholarship is awarded to a 4-H member who embodies the same qualities Bell is remembered for.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum’s most recent commercial won a provincial award last weekend in Calgary.
