Eighteen 4-H members from Braxton County traveled to the WV Beef Expo to participate in the Stockman’s Contest April 7. They were among a total of 215 seniors and 124 juniors; 44 complete senior teams (4 members) and 24 junior teams that participated in the contest. Eight of the 18 youth representing Braxton County participated in their first Stockman’s Contest this year.
Braxton County was represented by 13 4-H members in the junior age division (younger than 14 years old). The Braxton County 4-H junior team of Colden Chapman, Joel Lipscomb, Kalab Wayne and Mason Wolford took home top honors in the junior competition, outscoring the rest of the field. The team of Cooper Chapman, Eli Friend, Justin Hudkins, and Michael Wayne finished in 16th place. The 20th place team included Austin Armentrout, James Cook, Shawver James and Jacob Long. Colton Long also participated in the Junior Division. Individually in the Junior Division, Mason Wolford finished 3rd, Kalab Wayne was 5th, Joel Lipscomb was 14th, Michael Wayne was 19th and Colden Chapman was 20th.
Five Braxton County 4-H members participated in the Senior Division (14 to 18 years old). The team of Kasey Armentrout, Hannah Cooley, Talan Hamric and Stephanie Singleton finished in 16th place. Elliott Armentrout also competed. Top finishers from Braxton County in the Senior Division were Stephanie Singleton placing 33rd and Talan Hamric placing 42nd. Hannah Cooley and Stephanie Singleton are also members of Braxton County FFA.
The youth were coached by Debbie Friend, WVU-Braxton County Extension Agent. At the Stockman’s Contest, participants rank classes of 4 beef cattle in order from best to worst; grade 5 feeder cattle; complete quality assurance and sire selection activities; identify plants and retail cuts of beef; answer 5 questions about the beef cattle they judged and 10 questions about the beef industry. The Stockman’s Contest is held annually at the WV Beef Expo at Jackson’s Mill.
The participants and their coach would like to thank Hamric Farms, Wayne Cattle Company and David Friend for hosting practices.
For more information about the WV Beef Expo, 4-H, or participating in events like this one, contact Debbie Friend at the WVU-Braxton County Extension Office, 304-765-2809.
