Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding welcomed a talented field of national competitors as competition resumed at The Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE). In an official opening ceremony, The Pennsylvania Livestock Association (PLA) inducted Eugene Wingert of St. Thomas, Franklin County and Wingert Farms Show Cattle into the Pennsylvania Livestock Hall of Fame honoring his decades of service and advocacy for the agriculture industry in Pennsylvania. Wingert's portrait will hang in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center among other honorees since 1972.
PLA also posthumously recognized Lloyd Hess of Willow Street, Lancaster County, who passed away earlier this year, for his many years of committed service to Pennsylvania youth agriculture organizations, the association and countless contributions to Pennsylvania agriculture.
"Lloyd Hess exemplified humble, devoted service to Pennsylvania agriculture and to raising generations of leaders who are feeding us today and will feed us tomorrow," Secretary Redding said. "The state's livestock industry owes him a debt of gratitude and will long remember his outstanding barbecue, but more importantly, the lasting difference he made through his character and service to our agriculture family."
The association awarded scholarships to six Pennsylvania students; Lydia Brown of Huntingdon Co., Ella Brummer of Perry Co., Grace Prout of Berks Co., and Chloe Stonesifer of York Co., all attending Penn State University; Haylee Riley of Huntingdon Co., who attends Juniata College, and Ben Tornambe of Montgomery Co., who attends Lasalle University.
Taylor Garges of Telford Bucks Co. and Caleb Miller of Marietta, Lancaster Co. were recognized as outstanding 4-H members. Outstanding FFA members recognized included Kiersten Baker of Huntingdon, Co. and David Bell of Chester County.
National competitions ranging from draft horses and halflinger ponies on halters and in team hitches and pulls, to sheep, and beef cattle, as well as collegiate and high school livestock judging, and the Keystone Classic Barbecue Competition continue throughout the weekend. Find the full schedule of eventsOpens In A New Window and more information at keystonelivestockexpo.comOpens In A New Window.
Sixty-nine riders competed across 42 ranch riding classes. Riders participated from various states including Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
Percheron, Shire, Haflinger and Draft ponies competed in a halter show took place last week. Grand Champion Shire Stallion title went to Ozark's Royal Lincoln, exhibited by Dr. Jeff Gower of Springfield, Mo. Gower's Herkules Queen of Heart was crowned Grand Champion Mare of the Shire show in addition to Best of Breed.
Dirren Miller, exhibiting Felicity from Cromwell, Indiana was awarded Halfinger Grand Champion Mare. Grand Champion Percheron Stallion was Walkerbrae Sniper, exhibited by Gerald Allebach of Spring Mills, Pa. The stallion also took home Best of Breed.
Windermere's Cha Cha took home the title of Grand Champion Percheron Mare. She was exhibited by Gerald Allebach of Spring Mills, Pa. The Champion Gelding was Chief exhibited by Blue Ribbon Days Farm of Farmington, Mo.
The breeding sheep show started on Thursday. Exhibitors competed in 10 different breed shows for champion ram and ewe honors. Breeds represented were Dorper, Horned Dorset, Rambouillett, Natural Colored Lincoln, Lincon, Columbia, Merino, Southdown, Oxford and Suffolk. Pa exhibitors claimed 10 out of 20 honors. Other states represented included North Carolina, New York and Maryland.
Beef cattle exhibitors competed for titles in Maine-Anjou, Maintainer, and AOB on Thursday. Exhibitors from Indiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia claimed Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles.
The KILE draft horse halter show Oct. 6 culminated in the naming of a Supreme Grand Champion. Walkerbrae Sniper, a stallion from Windermere Farms, took home the top title. Other competitors included the breed champions from the Shire, Belgian, and Clydesdale draft horse halter shows. Full results and photos are below.
The Club and Calf Prospect Heifer Show concluded with the naming of Grand Champion Club Calf and Heifer. Carter Eavers of Middlebrook, Va received Grand Champion Club Calf honors. Grand Champion Heifer honors went to Brian Hess of Conestoga, Pa.
Catharine Miller of Newville, Cumberland County placed first among 175 high school students from six states in the Keystone Stockman's contest. Fredrick Md. 4-H won the first-place team award.
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Goats & Sheep