Young ranchers from the Bonnyville Beef, Beaver River Beef and Ardmore Beef 4-H clubs put their hard work on display at the annual 4-H district show and sale.
Members and spectators packed the bleachers at the Western Pride Auction Market Monday, May 29.
For the 55 members across the three clubs, the show and sale represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work.
“Members all weighed in on Nov. 20, 2016. They're required to feed and train their projects for their club show, which usually takes place around Mother's Day, and then today's the district show and sale,” explained event coordinator Crystal Dechaine.
Members from junior, intermediate, and senior age groups competed for ribbons in showmanship, grooming, and judging. Later, a grand champion heifer, steer, and cow/calf combo were selected.
Bonnyville's 4-H Beef club took centre stage when it was time to hand-out the grand champion ribbons. Representative Maddie Janz took first place in the steer division, while club mate Walker Balan won the remaining two categories.
Balan touched on the amount of effort necessary for 4-H success.
“It takes a ton of work to win here. You have to be with the animal every day, washing them, feeding them, halter breaking them, clipping them, everything,” said Balan.
Taking complete care of an animal, especially from a young age, can be an extremely daunting task, but 4-H members don't see it that way. For them, it's an opportunity to see their goals come to fruition.
“When you win you just get that sense of accomplishment. It helps in a big way to build self confidence because you know you can do what you set your mind to,” said Raelynn Nelson of Beaver River Beef, who took home first place in grooming for the intermediate age group.
For those who didn't manage to take home a ribbon, there was still an opportunity to feel that sense of accomplishment when the auction portion of the night kicked off.
All 55 members successfully auctioned off their cows and calves, collecting bids as high as $4.80 per pound. For many 4-H members, the money is a consolation to the real prize.
“The skills you learn, the experience you gain, there are even scholarship opportunities available through 4-H. It's something you can't find anywhere else. To be able to develop these skills and characteristics is huge,” said Ardmore Beef's Steven Sawchuk.
The ribbons will wear, the paycheques will be spent, but the confirmation of a valuable life lesson will remain; hard work pays off.
