Beef cattle, big stars of the fair, get their time in the showring

12 steer will be in auction on Saturday, up from 4 last year

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Gina Sidari, 18, of Albion keeps her eyes on the judge during the beef showmanship competition on Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

Gina placed second among 17 in the senior showmanship division.

There were 33 kids overall showing beef in the competition. The beef animals are seeing a steady increase in recent fairs, and Saturday’s meat auction will have 12 steers, a record high for the Orleans fair, and up from four last year.

The 4-Hers welcome bidders for the auction at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Henry Dresser, 11, of Medina leads his beef animals into the ring. Henry emerged as the master showman, topping more experienced 4-Hers at the beef show. with Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville in second place overall.

There were 17 participants in senior showmanship, 11 in junior showmanship, and five in novice.

John Kriese, judge of the beef show from Branchport, got a chuckle out of Teanna Church of Holley, who competed in senior showmanship.

Kriese quizzed the competitors, as well as judging how well they presented the animals that topped 1,000 pounds.

The top showmen keep the animal under control, keep it nicely groomed and show off its best qualities. Kriese said each 4-Her and the animal are a team and need to be working in sync with each other, which can come from many hours of practice.

Carter Kuipers, 17, of Byron leads this beef animal in the ring. Kuipers won the senior showmanship title. Last year he was the grand master showman at the fair, winning one of the most prestigious titles. The grand master competition will be Friday evening featuring the top showmen from nine different breeds of livestock.

Anna Grillo, 16, of Albion leads the beef animal around the cattle show ring. She placed fourth in senior showmanship.

Joseph Forte of Hamlin, Jacob Forte of Hamlin and Matthew Bloom of Albion watch the judge while keeping their beef animals squared up on Wednesday in senior showmanship.

Ruth Kuipers, 15, of Byron shows a steer. Ruth has been one of the top showman at the fair in recent years. The judge placed her third in senior showmanship on Wednesday.

Brody Collyer of Kendall has his beef animal set up during the junior showmanship competition.

Bailey Bergum, 19, of Kent competes in senior showmanship.