Young cattlemen show beef and dairy cows

By Phil Cobb | July 28, 2018 |

Participants of the Pee Wee Division of the Nodaway County Fair Livestock Show stand near their calf during the Cow Show on July 19. Members from local 4-H and FFA groups gathered at the Nodaway County Community Center throughout the day to show their cattle.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Members of local 4-H and FFA chapters were able to showcase their beef and dairy cows during the Nodaway County Livestock Show on Wednesday, July 19.

Riley Spire was just one of the many cattlemen who took part in the competition at the Nodaway County Community Center. For the 20-year-old contestant, raising and showing cattle has been a part of her life for a long time.

“I got started, my grandpa has a cattle farm out west of town here,” Spire said. “I got started with 4-H, and I’ve worked my way up.”

Spire said the competitions and preparation for them have taught her many life lessons.

“Work ethic, responsibility, time management,” Spire listed.

Spire’s work paid off on Wednesday as she was able to take home several titles, including Supreme Champion Hefer.

In the Beef Division, Josie Baker took Breed Champion in both the Bucket Calf and Angus categories, Keiren Watkins won Breed Champion in the Hereford category and Carter Luke won Breed Champion in the Red Angus category.

Riley Spire won Breed Champion in the Salers category, Andrew Blackford won Breed Champion in the Simmental category and Landon Liebhart took home the Breed Champion title in the Commercial Heifer category. Spire took home the Supreme Champion Hefer title, with Leibhart taking Reserve.

In the Dairy Division, Sarah Langford won Breed Champion in the Holstein Junior Cow category and the Cross Dairy Senior Calf category. Madelyne Swinford won Breed Champion in the Cross Dairy Milking Cows category. Langford and Swinford took home Supreme Dairy Female Champion and Reserve, respectively.

In the Showmanship categories, Madelyn Swinford took home champion and Mackenzie Swinford took home Reserve.

In the Market Division, Dalton Luke won Championship Market Heifer, and Caden Farnan won Reserve. Champion Home Raised went to Liebhart, and Reserve went to Baker. Riley Linville won both Champion and Reserve in the Purchased Steer category. Linville was also the Grand Champion of the competition, with Liebhart taking Reserve.

In the Senior Showmanship category, Linville took Champion, and Paige Zimmerman took Reserve. Liebhart was the Junior Showmanship Champion, and Aydan Blackford took Reserve.

While many contestants and spectators attended the cattle show, Spire said there are still many who don’t understand the beef industry and hopes shows like these can give them the opportunity to talk to cattlemen.

“There’s a lot of myths about the agricultural industry, and I encourage anyone — not just little kids — anyone, if you have a question about how something is going on, don’t be afraid to ask,” Spire said. “More than likely, they’re going to be straight with you and tell you what they’re doing or what’s going on. That’s the one thing I have to say, ‘Don’t be afraid to ask.’”

JESSIKA EIDSON/THE FORUM
Landon Liebhart shows one of his cows during the Nodaway County Fair Livestock Show on July 19. Liebhart went on to win Breed Champion title in the Commercial Heifer, Champion Home Raised Reserve Champion Hefer, Reserve Grand Champion and Junior Showmanship Champion.