Zach Leimeister of Apple Creek and member of the Basically Bovine 4-H Club, exhibited the Wayne County Junior Fair Grand Champion Beef Carcass. Aaliyah Wirth of Wooster, a member of Basically Bovine 4-H Club, exhibited the Wayne County Junior Fair Grand Champion Dairy Carcass. The Reserve Grand Champion Beef Carcass was exhibited by Shyler Swinehart of Wooster, a member of Wayne County Hoof and Hide 4-H Club; the Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Carcass was exhibited by Peyton Mullet of Burbank, a member of Canaan Country Cousins.  This Junior Fair event is held prior to the actual opening day of the Wayne County Fair and the Champion and Reserve Champion carcasses will be auctioned at the Junior Fair Beef Sale on Thursday, September 13th in the Coliseum.

Leimaster’s beef steer had a carcass weight of 844 pounds, a rib eye of 13.1 inches, an adjusted yield grade of 3.5 and was a ‘prime’ quality grade.  Swinehart’s beef steer had a carcass weight of 696 pounds, a rib eye of 13 inches, an adjusted yield grade of 2.8 and was a ‘high choice’ quality grade.  Wirth’s dairy steer had a weight of 860 pounds, a rib eye of 13.7 inches, an adjusted yield grade of 2.2 and was a ‘prime’ quality grade. Mullet’s dairy steer had a carcass weight of 888 pounds, a rib eye of 10.8 inches, an adjusted yield grade of 3.1 and was a ‘prime’ quality grade. Champion awards were sponsored by Andrews Auctioneers, LLC., McConnell Farms, Oser Hereford Farm, AgriGold Hybrids, Baker's Acres, Mullet Farms and K.L. Rickett Trucking, LLC.

The beef rate of gain award, sponsored by Roger Feather, was presented to Andrea Esselburn of Shreve and a member of Springville Country Club, as her steer gained 3.45 pounds per day.  The dairy rate of gain award, sponsored by Baker's Acres, was presented to Hunter Mullet of Burbank and a member of Canaan Country Cousins, as his dairy steer gained 3.73 pounds per day.

There were 21 beef and 11 dairy steers in the carcass contest.  Diana Clark, Meat Scientist for Certified Angus Beef, and Carson Rogers, Brand Production and Quality Specialist for Certified Angus Beef, served as judges.  The contest is sponsored by the Wayne County 4-H/FFA Beef Committee.  Rick Heffelfinger and his crew provided their facilities and services for the contest.  They also provided a great meal and a cooler tour for participants and their families the evening of the contest.

For more information on the contest or the Junior Fair auctions contact The Ohio State University Extension – Wayne County at 330-264-8722.