More Than 60 Youths, 130 Animals Compete in 2004 JEMC Quality Beef Show Competition

February 18, 2004 Representing nine Future Farmers of America chapters (FFA) and 4-H clubs from five Northeast Georgia counties, 69 young people gathered to compete for trophies, ribbons and $3,700 in cash prizes at Jackson Electric Membership Corporation's 35th Quality Beef Show. Together, they entered 130 animals in the competition held on Saturday, February 7, at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Livestock Center, Jefferson.

A steer shown by Chase Crumley of the Jackson County FFA won Grand Champion Steer honors, and another shown by Austin Atkinson of the Jackson County 4-H won Reserve Champion Steer.

In showmanship, Steven Cooper of the Jackson County 4-H won the Novice category, Elise Embrick of the Jackson County FFA won Junior, Dustin Farmer of the Franklin County FFA won Intermediate and Robert Taylor of the Jackson County FFA won Senior.

In the heifer competition, breed champions and the youth showing them are as follows:
Angus – Austin Atkinson of the Jackson County 4-H, Breed Champion, and Jeremy Britt of the Jackson County, 4-H Breed Reserve Champion.
Chi Influence – Dustin Farmer of the Franklin County FFA, Breed Champion, and Ben Shirley of the Jackson County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.
Hereford – Two heifers shown by Shelly Patton of the Madison County 4-H won both Breed Champion and Breed Reserve Champion.
Limousin – Jeffrey Taylor of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion, and Adam Arnold of the Madison County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.
Shorthorn – Kelly Tawzer of the Franklin County FFA, Breed Champion, and Will Cochran of the Banks County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.
Simmental – Cole Elrod of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion, and Jessica Bryant of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.
Other Breeds – Kristina Decker of the Franklin County FFA, Breed Champion, and David Farmer of the Franklin County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.
Commercial – Robert Taylor of the Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion, and Adam Shirley of the Jackson County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.

Young people competing in the Quality Beef Show use the experience and judge's feedback to help prepare for the upcoming statewide competition in Perry. "There is no entry fee for this competition. The kids have the opportunity to win prizes and get pointers from the judge to help them improve their animals and skills, so everyone comes out a winner," said Randall Pugh, the cooperative's president and CEO.

Each year since 1969, Jackson EMC has sponsored the Quality Beef Show to honor the contribution the agriculture industry makes to Northeast Georgia's economy, as well as to encourage leadership skills and a competitive spirit among the area's young people.

A non-profit electric cooperative, Jackson EMC was organized by area residents in 1938 to bring power to a then-rural area. Now the largest electric cooperative in Georgia and the second largest in the United States, Jackson EMC provides electric and other services to more than 177,000 members in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Franklin and Oglethorpe Counties.

###

To be placed on our news release distribution list, please email bjones@jacksonemc.com.