Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
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Quality ran deep through all the livestock species shown this year at the Chester County 4-H Livestock Sale held Aug. 9 at the Romano 4-H Center in Honey Brook. Judge Sam Long of York County commented on the depth in each class and congratulated the exhibitors on the quality of their projects. Record crowds were on hand each night to watch the 4-H livestock shows and view the various projects completed by our community clubs and outreach members.
The sale averaged well above the market prices for the day. Nine steers, 67 hogs, 5 goats, and 38 lambs were shown and sold at the annual event. Buyers came from all over the region to support the sale. The Champion Market Hog was shown by first year member Olivia Jaekle of West Chester. The 248-pound hog sold for $8.50 per pound and was purchased by GrayHawk Home Care, owned by Andrew Henderson of West Chester, who then donated the hog to the Chester County Food Bank to support them in their efforts to provide nutritious food products to those in need. The 276-pound Reserve Champion was shown by Olivia’s brother James another first time member and the hog was purchased by long time sale supporter John Rock Incorporated of Sadsburyville for $2 per pound. The 1,332-pound Champion Steer was shown by Ethan Macomber of Elverson and was purchased by Deana Jak Farm of Wagontown for $2 per pound. The Reserve Champion Steer weighing 1,388 pounds was shown by David Bell of Nottingham and was purchased by Herr Foods Inc. of Nottingham for $2.30 per pound which then donated it to the House of His Creation in Lititz for use in their ministries.
A pair of siblings, Brooke Mazepink and her brother, Jason, from Parkesburg repeated their performance from last year exhibiting the Champion and Reserve Champion Market Lambs. The Grand Champion Lamb was purchased by Richard and Diane Hicks of Unionville for $10.50 per pound and the Reserve Champion was purchased by Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit of Lancaster for $6 per pound, both breaking the record for the lamb sale. The Champion Market Goat weighing 71l pounds was shown by Lily Bramm of Pottstown and was purchased by B&R Excavating of Nottingham for $2.75 per pound. The Reserve Champion Goat weighing 62 pounds was shown by Jason Mazepink and purchased by Sentry AG Inc. Crop Insurance and Pioneer Seeds for $4 per pound. Nine steers averaged $2 per pound, 67 hogs averaged $2.43 per pound, 38 lambs averaged $3.81 per pound and five goats averaged $4.25 per pound.
Showmanship was hotly contested again which is usual for this 4-H show. Grand Champion Beef Showman was Kaitlin Bell of Nottingham and Reserve Grand Champion Showman was Emilie Howe of Downingtown. Grand Champion Sheep Showman was Brooke Mazepink of Parkesburg and Reserve Champion was Zack Bare of Atglen. In the Swine Show, Champion Senior Showman was Kaitlin Bell and Reserve Champion Senior Showman was Samantha Nace of Glenmoore. Champion Junior Showman was David Bell of Nottingham and Reserve Junior Showman was Deborah Uhlman of Exton. Champion First Year Showman was Henry Rohrer of Nottingham and Reserve First Year Showman was Cameron Johnson of Elverson! Our honorary judge for 2017 was Mindy Beam of Elverson and our honorary showman was Zachary Johnson also of Elverson.
For further information on the 4-H program in Chester County contact the Penn State Extension Office at 610-696-3500.