Making the grade

Ben Miller
4H Beef Club Reporter

The fourth meeting was held at the home of Kevin and Jock Gemmell’s on June Saturday 19. Everyone was present for this meeting. We watched two movies: one on Grading, and one on Grooming. Bud McQuaker, 4-H Leader, gave out and reviewed four hand out’s: Focus on Calves and Heifers; Finishing Cattle on Whole Corn; Strategic Feeding of Beef Cows; and Silage Fermentation and the Role of Silage Additives (all from Shur-Gain Feed Service). Two fliers on Feeding Guidelines and Feed types were also distributed. We ended the meeting with refreshments.
The fifth meeting and Fun Day of the United Beef Club was held at Ben and Tegan Miller’s on Saturday July 31st. Twenty-four people were in attendance - all 11 members, as well as some parents and siblings. Eight members were able to bring their steers to the Fun Day. The first thing that we did was to weigh the steers which weighed-in from 1145lbs to 1385lbs. Next, we talked about the clothes policy (plane white t-shirt and blue jeans) and how to get ready for the fair. Afterwards, Brent Miller, 4-H Leader, and Aaron Kuorikoski, senior member, showed us how to groom and clip our steers. Then we were showed how to set up our steers in the show ring. The Fun Day closed with a great Potluck Lunch & BBQ, which was enjoyed by everyone.
Our last meeting was held at the Emo Fair on Saturday August 21st when, after lots of hard work and a little bit of nerves, we showed our animals. Our club did very well with Jock Gemmell placing 1st in the Senior Showmanship class and Aaron Kuorikoski coming 2nd; Jared McQuaker placed 1st in the Intermediate class and Mitchell Haw placed 2nd in the Novice Class. Jock Gemmell was the Grand Champion Showman and Jared McQuaker was the Reserve Champion Showman. Way to go guys! In the Market Steer part of the show our club was again well represented placing six of our members in the top ten. Matt McQuaker’s steer winning Grand Champion and Jock Gemmell’s steer winning Reserve Champion. Congratulations to all our club members and to all 4-Her’s. It’s a lot of hard work but it was a very good experience for me and I hope it was for you, too. Thank you to all the buyers who came to the Auction to bid and to buy - your support made the sale great! Thank you all very much.
On behalf of the club, I would like to thank our Leaders: Bud McQuaker and Brent Miller. 4-H Clubs would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our leaders. Thanks to all 4-H leaders!