Saturday afternoon was a great day for members of the Goodridge 4-H Club to hold their Achievement Day, and show off the animals they had raised with the beef project.
“The afternoon went well. I think the kids learned a bit and had fun,” said club leader Wes Janz of the 12 members and three Cleavers that displayed their hard work during the afternoon.
“All the kids (had) just fantastic gain – they were all over three pounds a day, which was pretty darn good,” he said, adding this may be usual for an animal raised in a feed lot, but for one being worked and led, it was a pretty good gain, helped along by a fairly mild winter.
The quality of the nine steers and seven heifers received compliments from judge Aldon Kozak, who noted it was difficult to distinguish a champion and reserve champion steer and heifer, with all the animals being very close to one another in finishing.
In the end, however, he recognized Stephanie Bilodeau’s steer as being the grand champion, while Sheldon Kwiatkowski took home reserve champion honours.
Meanwhile, in the heifer competition, Brooke Kwiatkowski won out as grand champion, while Sheldon Kwiatkowski again would be reserve champion.
The cow/calf competition offered less of a dilemma in judging, as only Paige Kwiatkowski showed in the category, and won grand champion honours.
With JP and Rhea Dechaine acting as showmanship and grooming judges, they, along with Kozak, recognized the kids in multiple categories.
Cow/Calf Grand Champion - Paige Kwiatkowski
Heifer Grand Champion - Brooke Kwiatkowski
Heifer Reserve Champion - Sheldon Kwiatkowski
Grand Champion Steer - Stephanie Bilodeau
Reserved Champion Steer - Sheldon Kwiatkowski
Junior - Grooming Champion – 1st: Isabelle Janz; 2nd: Tristan Jacula
Intermediate Grooming Champion – 1st: Maria Bilodeau; 2nd: Shaylee Janz
Senior Grooming Champion – 1st - Stephanie Bilodeau; 2nd - Sheldon Kwiatkowski
Junior Showmanship Champion – 1st - Tristan Jacula; 2nd - Isabelle Janz
Intermediate Showmanship Champion – 1st - Joseph Bilodeau; 2nd - Sydnee Kwiatkowski
Senior Showmanship Champion – 1st - Stephanie Bilodeau; 2nd - Paige Kwiatkowski
Daily Gain - Stephanie Bilodeau
Top Charolais - Paige Kwiatkowski
Junior Champion - Tristan Jacula; 2nd - Nolan Janz
Intermediate Champion – 1st - Brooke Kwiatkowski; 2nd - Maria Bilodeau
Senior Champion - Sheldon Kwiatkowski; 2nd - Paige Kwiatkowski
Arthur Thompson Memorial Trophy - Madison Gamblin
Best Adult Card Judging - Hailey Dechaine
Worst Adult Card Judging - Patrick Mathiot
Everyone is invited to the Goodridge 4-H Beef Club BBQ, which will be held on Saturday, June 11 at Goodridge Hall. Individual tickets are on sale for $10, while tickets for a family are $30. Doors open at 5 p.m., with supper to follow at 7 p.m.
