By By OLIN F. FARRIOR – Special to The Standard
In September of 2005, 14 young people began an almost six month project that involved caring for, feeding and showing 22 steers. The project ended on Thursday, March 2, with 10 youngsters showing and selling 18 calves. The sale averaged $1.55 cent per pound and totaled $26,564.18.
The Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Rachel Fuller of Atmore, but everyone gained from the experience. Along the way, they spent quality time with their parents, and learned a great deal about themselves and their ability to persevere and complete a difficult project.
The show was judged by Mr. Richard Meadows of Columbia, Ala. Meadow's was given the difficult task of selecting winners in a wide variety of areas. Cattle shows have sections in which the judge evaluates the ability of the youngster to present his or her animal called showmanship.
The Escambia County show divides the showmanship into three areas based on the age of the exhibitor. The Junior Showmanship category was won by Rachel Fuller of Atmore, the intermediate division was won by Trent Lambert of Atmore and Senior Showmanship was won by Spencer Williamson of the Rock Hill community.
The calves are judged based on their ability to yield a large quantity of high quality beef. The animals are grouped by weight and divided into classes and divisions for judging. The division winners are judged against one another to select the Grand Champion (exhibited by Rachel Fuller), The Reserve Grand Champion (exhibited by Spencer Williamson) and the County Bred Champion (exhibited by Trent Lambert). The other exhibitors were: Jonathan (Jake) Bailey, Miranda Caraway, Brittany Daniel, Chelsea Daniel, Cody Daniel, Josh Lambeth and Logan Williamson.
The show and the sale that followed were successful because of the support of sponsors and the buyers of the calves. The calf buyers were: Escambia County Farmer's Federation, D. W. McMillan Trust, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, The Farmer's Exchange, B &C Fire Safety -Fort Walton Beach, Perdido River Farms, Lee Veterinary Clinic, Fuqua Farms, Lucedale Stockyard, W. T. Neal Trust, Cecil Daniel, Hendrix Tractor, Huxford Pole Mill, First National Bank (Atmore), Escambia County Livestock Coop, Escambia County Cattlemen's Association, Atmore Truckers, United Bank, The Farm Center, Frank Currie Gin, Petty Funeral Home, and East Side Chapel. Sponsors for the event were: Atmore Auto Parts, Inc., Atmore Carpet, Atmore Diesel Injection Service, B &J Meat Processing, Bank of Brewton, J. M. Black, Blair Meat Processing, Bondurant Lumber &Hardware, Bracken's Drive In, Brewton Medical Center, LLC, Central Farm Supply, Buster Chavers, Cunningham Farms, DTE Just Ask Rental, Dr. Michael A. Dansinger, II, Jerry and Patty Davis, Double J Farms, Escambia Drug Store, Escambia Grain Corporation, Escambia Lawn &Rental Center, Inc., Federal Land Bank Association, First South Farm Credit, Scott and Terri Fuller, Harrison Farms, Inc., Helton Brothers Farm, Horton's Insurance, Johnson Insurance, Kervin's Auto Parts, Merrill E. Ledford, Leland Helton Farms, Maxwell Quick Mart, Medical Center Pharmacy, F. M. Nalty Land &Timber Co., Allen D. Pettis, Phillips Farms, Reynolds Ready Mix, Spudd's Inc., Mike Stacey, Swift Supply-Atmore, Thompson, Garrett and Hines, W. W. Farms, Allen Walston, Weaver's Glass, Inc., West Florida Gin, Todd &Linda Williamson, Todd Williamson, County Commissioner.