ESTEVAN — The Estevan Regional 4-H Show and Sale that took place July 4-6 at the Estevan Exhibition Grounds had another successful year.
About 70 kids from Browning, Crossroads, Benson, Steelman and Outram-Madigan 4-H Clubs joined the event and showcased their skills and animals.
With only four senior members (16-21 years of age), most participants were 15 and under.
The show part of the event, judged by Garrett Liebreich of Radville, saw a lot of talent, while the auction on Thursday had great support from the community.
This year's grand champion steer was raised by Brenna Fornwald of Steelman 4-H Beef Club. The 1,390-pound animal was purchased by Greening Trucking Ltd. at $8 per pound. Leelynn Fornwald of Steelman Club had the reserved champion steer weighing 1,275 pounds. It was bought by Certified Energy Services at $7 a pound.
The auction was conducted by Mack Auction Company with many local businesses and individuals present to bid on 68 steers available for sale this year with an average sale price of around $4 per pound.
Kristen Fornwald, 4-H District 1 president, said the prices were down a bit this year, but the event went really well overall.
"It was a fabulous event. I think that everything went extremely well. The weather was great. And it was a great group of kids displaying their 4-H projects for the year, really can't ask for any more than that," Kristen said in an interview with the Mercury.
"Prices were down a little bit in comparison to some previous years, but we've been extremely fortunate to have the businesses, local community around Estevan and surrounding areas to support these kids in their steer sales. It may have been down, but it was still a good sale and we're so thankful for the businesses that show up every year. We had some new ones this year too, so that's always exciting and promising to have some new buyers that are willing to invest in these kids and their future," Kristen said.
She remarked that kids learned a lot from the event. They learned about how sales work and how to take it even if prices are not where they expected, and they also learned a lot from the show part of it, as the judge they had this year was experienced and was able to provide a lot of good advice to the kids.
"I think he did an excellent job with the kids, he was very descriptive in his comments for the kids. And he also took some time and talk to the kids one on one, which is really important for them to be able to really get something out of it," Kristen said.
She also noted that for most people 4-H activities are a family and often a generational involvement, which is an important element of 4-H as well.
"In Steelman Club, we have 11 kids, and we have five families, I believe. We all stick together and do it together. And then in Steelman, Benson and Outram Clubs, there are a lot of second or third-generation 4-Hers, so it's definitely a family affair," Kristen said, adding that parents and grandparents of participating 4-H members made up most of the audience at the Estevan Regional 4-H Show and Sale as well.
Outstanding 4-H members were also recognized on Thursday during the awards portion of the event.
Cloverbuds awards were presented to Parker Adderley, Sawyer Desautels, Leelynn Fornwald, Easton and Nate Hale, Audree Jutras, Mackenzie Mann, Kiyah, Sophie and Wyatt Mantei, Phalyn McIntyre, Laine and Leighton Petterson, James Pick, Daniel Sinclair, Brooke Tanner and Mason Young.
The grand champion female was raised by Cayden Lischka, and the reserve champion female award was presented to Brenna Fornwald.
The champion yearling heifer award went to Brenna Fornwald, and the reserve champion yearling heifer went to Peyton Adderley. The champion continuation female award was won by Cayden Lischka and the reserve champion went to Sasha Mantei.
The best homegrown steer was raised by Brenna Fornwald. The team grooming award went to Braxton Shier, Brenna Fornwald and Rowyn Shier.
Cloverbud, junior, intermediate and senior judging awards were presented to Kiyah Mantei, Britt Fornwald, Kail Hilstrom and Owen Goetz and Sasha Mantei.
The high individual judge overall award was presented to Kail Hilstrom. High individual judge oral reasons went to Gage Goetz, Hugh Ross and Sophia Fleck.
The junior showmanship award went to Britt Fornwald. The intermediate showmanship award went to Brenna Fornwald. Senior showmanship went to Owen Goetz. And overall showmanship was presented to Brenna Fornwald. Grant aggregate buckle was also presented to Brenna Fornwald as well.
The group of five steers award went to Steelman 4-H Club, and the 4-H motto award was presented to Brooke Tanner as well as to Laine and Leighton Petterson.
Kristen thanked everyone involved and businesses and individuals that supported their annual event.
"I would like to thank the community, the Estevan Exhibition Association for allowing us to use the grounds, it's a beautiful facility, and we're really fortunate to be able to use utilize it for show and sale; Mack Auctions for letting us use their sound truck for achievement day and running our auction sale. Also, to all of the 4-H clubs, the leaders, kids, the families, there's a lot of volunteer hours and time that goes into putting it all together … We couldn't do it without them," Kristen said.
