More than 70 Youths, 130 Animals Compete in 2003 JEMC Quality Beef Show

February 11, 2003 They had begun arriving at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School barn in Jefferson the day before. With them they brought steers and heifers they had nurtured and worked with, most since the animals were born, to compete with young people from seven Northeast Georgia counties in the 34th Annual Quality Beef Show.

In the early Saturday morning hours, in below-freezing weather, 74 young people braved numb fingers, runny noses and chapped cheeks to present their animals in the best light - hosing them down, moussing them, blowing them dry, painting hooves, trimming coats and curling tails. Most of the work was done in silence, with a fierce concentration.

As they entered the ring, their attention was divided between their steer or heifer and the judge, Fred Rayfield of Lenox, GA. Carefully, Rayfield made his way around the ring, examining each Showmanship entrant's performance and asking questions to test their knowledge; scrutinizing each Breed animal's physical appearance and movement as he ran a practiced hand over coat and muscle. Each entrant visibly tensed as they waited for the judge to finish with their animal and move on to the next.

Every Breed entrant left the ring that day with ribbons and some prize money. A lucky few claimed trophies, cash and other prizes for Showmanship, Grand and Reserve Champion. All received Rayfield's recommendations on how to improve their animal's competitive ability for the statewide show in Perry later this year. And so, since no entry fees were required for the competition, everyone left the show a winner.

The show traces its roots back to 1950, when it began as a steer show sponsored by the Commerce Chamber of Commerce. In 1969, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation took over sponsorship of the event, adding the heifer competition in 1985. The show offers nearly $4,000 in prize money and priceless experience for area young people who participate in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H organizations.

"This event provides these young people with opportunities for personal growth through their interactions in a competitive environment, " says Jackson EMC President & CEO Randall Pugh. "It helps demonstrate the value of responsibility on a very basic level. And it's a learning tool that provides these kids with professional feedback on their animals and their performance - feedback they can use to do even better at the statewide level."

"We continue to sponsor the Quality Beef Show to honor the contribution the agriculture industry makes to the Northeast Georgia economy, as well as to pay tribute to the heritage of all electric cooperatives, which were founded to serve rural, mainly agricultural areas," notes Pugh.

Quality Beef Show Winners

Matthew Shirley, Jackson County 4-H, Grand Champion Steer Josh Cabe, Franklin County FFA, Reserve Champion Steer Todd Parks, Banks County FFA, Novice Showmanship Austin Atkinson, Gwinnett County 4-H, Junior Showmanship Jake Alford, Madison County FFA, Intermediate Showmanship Will Cabe, Franklin County 4-H, Senior Showmanship Austin Atkinson, Gwinnett County 4-H, Angus Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion Tyler Minnish, Jackson County FFA, Chi Influence Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion Kristi Smith, Madison County FFA, Hereford Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion Kristi Smith, Madison County FFA, Limousin Breed Champion Jake Alford, Madison County FFA, Limousin Breed Reserve Champion Roger Boswell, Banks County FFA, Shorthorn Breed Champion Emily Greene, Franklin County FFA, Shorthorn Breed Reserve Champion Cole Elrod, Jackson County FFA, Simmental Breed Champion Dustin Farmer, Franklin County FFA, Simmental Breed Reserve Champion Cole Elrod, Jackson County FFA, Other Breeds Champion Jake Alford, Madison County FFA, Other Breeds Reserve Champion Will Cabe, Franklin County 4-H, Commercial Breed Champion Jeffrey Taylor, Jackson County FFA, Commercial Breed Reserve Champion

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