Pomeroy and Dayton 4-H and FFA participate in the 88th Annual Junior Livestock Show of Spokane

SPOKANE–Over 440 youth exhibitors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond gathered for the 88th Annual Junior Livestock Show of Spokane, held at the Spokane Co. Fair and Expo Center in May.

In addition to market and showmanship competitions, youth participated in skill events including meats and livestock judging, speaking competitions, and various activities. Home of the Washington FFA State Livestock Judging Contest, over 230 members travelled to vie for the state title. Over 150 youth participated in the 4-H division of the judging contest.

To share agriculture and connect consumers with where their food comes from, the Northwest Natural Resources Institute hosted a Farm Fair in conjunction with the event, where over 1,000 elementary students from Spokane and surrounding school districts rotated through various stations to learn about wheat, cattle, sheep and dairy production, and more.

Locally, Pomeroy and Dayton 4-H and FFA members traveled to this Spokane Jr. Livestock Show to participate in the event over the second week of May and brought home top awards for their projects.

The Pomeroy Country Kids 4-H group, leaders are Kayla Slaybaugh, BJ Cannon and Miranda Bowen, had three club members attended the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show this year; Kennedy Cannon, Treyton Kimble, and Willow Bowen.

During the conformation showing, Kennedy Cannon had a market steer and received a fourth position blue in class. Treyton Kimble had two steers and received a purple and a call back to finals for one, and the second steer received a blue ribbon. In Fitting and Showing on Friday, Kennedy Cannon received a blue ribbon as did Treyton Kimble.

"Both Treton and Kennedy had a great week at the Jr. Show," said 4-H leader Kayla Slaybaugh. "They both did very well in all their classes."

Willow Bowen got to participate in the lamb barn on Thursday, assisting a friend whose lambs landed in the same class. "She did a great job showing a lamb for the first time," said Slaybaugh.

The 4-H members also participated in livestock judging on Wednesday. In the Junior Division, Willow Bowen placed 37th; in the Intermediate Division Treyton Kimble was 22nd, and Kennedy Cannon was 35th.

Garfield County Livestock Club had four exhibitors: Kendyl Tetrick, Collin Hames, Alexis Lindgren, and Hadley Hames, attend the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show.

Kendyl Tetrick, a second-year 4-H member, exhibited two market hogs. Her first hog was selected Grand Champion 4-H Middleweight Hog and then Reserve Champion Overall 4-H Market Hog. Her second hog received a blue ribbon. Kendyl also earned a purple ribbon and a trip back to 4-H Jr. Showmanship semifinals. In addition, Kendyl placed second in the Livestock judging contest held on Wednesday.

Collin Hames, a second-year 4-H member, exhibited two Market Steers. His first steer got a blue ribbon and his second steer received a purple and was placed 9th overall for 4-H Market Steer. Collin earned a blue ribbon in Jr. 4-H Showmanship.

Alexis Lindgren, a first year 4-H member, exhibited two Market Steers. Both of Alexis' steers received blue ribbons, and she also earned a blue in Jr. 4-H Showmanship.

Hadley Hame's steer received a purple ribbon and was ranked 8th overall 4-H Market Steer. Hadley earned a purple ribbon in Showmanship and a trip back to the Junior 4-H Showmanship finals.

Four members of the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4-H group, Tyler Dixon, Ladd Baser, Jack Baser and Emilee Blickenstaff, competed at the 2023 Spokane Jr. Livestock show.

Tyler Dixon won both Grand and Reserve champion 4-H Market Steer, and was also sixth Intermediate 4-H showman in Fitting and Showing. He also won many awards in livestock judging and the meats contest: Grand Intermediate 4-H Livestock Judging, Grand Intermediate 4-H Oral Reasons, Grand Overall 4-H Oral Reasons, first place in Hogs, first place in Goats, third overall in the Meats contest.

Emilee Blickenstaff showed a steer in her first junior show. She took her steer Goose. She took 5th place overall 4-H market steer and then got a purple ribbon for fitting and showing and came back to finals and got 5th Junior 4-H showman! Such a great first show for her!

Ladd Baser took two lambs to the Jr. Show this year. He received purple in both Market and Fitting and Showing, then competed in the finals for both. He was 11th in livestock judging and competed with the 2nd place FFA meats team. Making it to the finals in both market and fitting and showing is impressive with this show, the lamb barn is competitive!

Jack Baser showed in two barns this year. He took a steer and a hog. His steer took a 1st blue in Market and a purple ribbon in Fitting and Showing, and was called back for finals. His hog received 2nd blue in Market and a purple in Fitting and Showing with a call back for finals. He was 7th in the Intermediate 4-H group for livestock judging and 1st in the meats contest. Making it to finals in fitting and showing in two species is a huge accomplishment.

Pomeroy FFA won the Seabeck Award for the most outstanding FFA Chapter at the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show, and a great week for individual members who brought home many awards for their livestock projects

"The Spokane Jr. Livestock Show went well this year," said FFA Instructor Kyle Kimble. In the State Livestock Pomeroy FFA finished fourth overall. Kendall Dixon received Grand Champion over all for the Jr./Sr. Hog Fitting and Showing Division, and Jillian Herres was 8th overall. There were six steers entered in the finals Market Steer division with Kendall Dixon placing 3rd and 4th; Colby Ledgerwood 5th; Grayson Slaybaugh 7th; Trevin Kimble 9th, and Grayson Slaybaugh 10th. Four FFA participated in the Fitting and Showing finals. Colby Ledgerwood came in 4th, Grayson Slaybaugh 7th in the Freshman/Sophomore Division; Kendal Dixon was Grand Champion, and Jillian Herres was 5th in the Junior/Senior division.

Colby Ledgerwood received fourth place in the Freshman/Sophomore Fitting and Showing division. He placed fifth overall for FFA Market Steer.

Dayton and Starbuck 4-H and FFA participates left the event with top awards. Jed Hall, of Starbuck, took fourth place overall in 4-H Market Steer; Ellyson Hall claimed the Grand Champion PeeWee Showman award; Jaycee Cox, a Dayton resident, received WaHi FFA Reserve Champion in the Freshman/Sophomore classification; Delaynee Cox, of Dayton, took the Grand Champion 4-H Intermediate Showman.

A full list of champions and award recipients follow:

BEEF DEPARTMENT: FFA Market Steer: Grand Champion – Parker Lyyski, Ellensburg FFA, 1,356 lb sold for $5.00 to Tankmax; Reserve Grand Champion – Alyssa Williams, Lind-Ritzville FFA, 1,371 lb sold by $4.00 to Tankmax.

4-H Market Steer: Grand Champion – Tyler Dixon, Blue Ribbon 4-H, 1,276 lb sold for $8.00 per lb to HiMark Farms & HiMark Seed. Reserve Grand Champion – Tyler Dixon, Blue Ribbon 4-H, 1,297 lb sold for $5.50 Tankmax. 4-H Prospect Steer: Grand Champion – Luke Wade, 89ers 4-H; Reserve Champion – Kashley Brown, Frog Hollow 4-H.

FFA Prospect Steer: Grand Champion – Alyssa Williams, Lind-Ritzville; FFA Reserve Champion – Parker Lyyski, Ellensburg FFA. Heifer: Grand Champion – Kyle Taylor, Northwest Rangers 4-H; Reserve Champion - Katie Belles, Liberty FFA; Breeders Pen of 3 Contest: Grand Champion – Dixon Land & Livestock JV; Reserve Champion – Gary Bye.

4-H Beef Fitting & Showing: Junior Grand Champion - Ava McKay, Frog Hollow 4-H; Reserve Champion – Landon Williams, Ritzville.

Livestock 4-H: Intermediate Grand Champion – Delaynee Cox, Columbia Co Corrals 4-H; Reserve Champion – Avery Deeds, Kootenai Co 4-H. Senior Grand Champion – Kyle Taylor, Northwest Rangers 4-H; Reserve Champion – Hunter Avriett, Kootenai Co 4-H; FFA Beef Fitting & Showing: Fr/So Grand Champion - Alyssa Williams, Lind-Ritzville FFA; Reserve Champion – Jaycee Cox, Walla Walla FFA; Jr/Sr Grand Champion – Kendall Dixon, Pomeroy FFA; Reserve Champion – Parker Lyyski, Ellensburg FFA.

Supreme Cattle Showman: Alyssa Williams, Lind-Ritzville FFA

SWINE DEPARTMENT:

FFA Overall Market Hog: Grand Champion –– Samantha Holling, Oaksdale FFA, 295 lb sold for $9.00 to Tankmax; Reserve Grand Champion –– Myles Lee, Quincy FFA, 284 lb sold for $11.00 per lb. to Del Fox Custom.

Meats: 4-H Overall Market Hog: Grand Champion –– Cade Wolf, Steptoe Canyon 4-H 280 lb sold for $12.50 per lb. to Liam Trent; Reserve Grand Champion –– Kendyl Tetrick, Garfield Co 4-H 270 lb sold for $11.00 to Peters & Keatts

4-H Hog Fitting & Showing: Junior Grand Champion – Wade Palmer, Ritzville Livestock 4-H; Reserve Champion – Cade Wolf, Steptoe Canyon 4-H; Intermediate Grand Champion – Landon Miller, Steptoe Canyon 4-H; Reserve Champion – Chance Lee, Barnyard Buddies 4-H; Senior Grand Champion – Kadin Petersen, Kootenai Co 4-H; Reserve Champion – Paul Shaner, Kootenai Co 4-H

FFA Hog Fitting & Showing: Fr/So Grand Champion – Ryder Voss, Moses Lake FFA; Reserve Champion – Raylie Fleishman, Clarkston FFA; Jr/Sr Grand Champion – Myles Lee, Quincy FFA; Reserve Champion – Kyra Holt, St. John-Endicott FFA

Supreme Hog Showman: Myles Lee, Quincy FFA; Gilt Jackpot: 1st – Cruz Gomez – West Plains Rangers 4-H; 2nd – Cade Wolf, Steptoe Canyon 4-H;

Carcass Barrow Contest: 1st – Porter Whitmore; 2nd – Katie Nelson; 3rd – Nevaeh Mobley; 4th – Mason DeBolt; 5th – Kellan Lassman.

Lamb Department: 4-H Market Lamb: Grand Champion – Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H, 122 lb sold for $10.00 per lb. to Diamond K Ranch; Reserve Champion – Kami Williams, Bonner Co. 4-H, 145 lb sold for $6.25 to Pape' Machinery.

FFA Market Lamb: Grand Champion – Carlene Ross, Timberlake FFA, 137 lb sold for $6.00 per lb. to Primerica North Idaho; Reserve Champion – Rilynn Frye, East Valley FFA, 142 lb sold for $8.00 to Avista & Bison Tire.

Prospect Lamb: 4-H Grand Champion – Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H; 4-H Reserve Champion – Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H.

Ewe Lamb: Grand Champion – Layla Deeds, Kootenai Co 4-H; Reserve Champion – Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H; Bred, Born & Raised: Purple Ribbon – Keslee Tellessen, Peaceful Valley 4-H; Purple Ribbon – Nevaeh Mobley – Deer Park FFA.

4-H Lamb Fitting & Showing: Junior Grand Champion – Layla Deeds, Kootenai Co. 4-H; Reserve Champion – Brantley Rudiger, Rocky Mtn Blue Ribbons 4-H; Intermediate Grand Champion – Kami Williams, Bonner Co. 4-H; Reserve Champion – Keslee Tellessen, Peaceful Valley 4-H; Senior Grand Champion – Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H; Reserve Champion – Ellie Berger, Kootenai Co 4-H.

FFA Lamb Fitting and Showing: Fr/So Grand Champion – Paige Morrison, Kalispel FFA; Reserve Champion – Rilyn Frye, East Valley FFA; Jr/Sr Grand Champion – Carlene Ross, Timberlake FFA; Reserve Champion – Grace Utecht, East Valley FFA. Supreme Lamb Showman: Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H

GOAT DEPARTMENT: FFA Market Goat: Grand Champion – Jordan Jelinek, Richland FFA 62 lb sold for $10.00 per lb. to 4W Club Lambs; Reserve Champion – Carlene Ross, Timberlake FFA 102 lb sold for $4.00 per lb. to Primerica North Idaho.

4-H Market Goat: Grand Champion – Layla Deeds, Kootenai Co. 4-H 108 lb sold for $9 to Aero Construction; Reserve Champion – Justin Boring, West Plains Rangers 4-H 65 lb sold for $6.75 to Les Schwab; Doeling: Grand Champion – Ellie Berger, Kootenai Co 4-H, Reserve Champion – Carlene Ross, Timberlake FFA.

4-H Goat Fitting & Showing: Junior - Grand Champion – Layla Deeds, Kootenai Co 4-H; Reserve Champion – Justin Boring, West Plains 4-H; Intermediate - Grand Champion – Keslee Tellessen, Peaceful Valley 4-H; Reserve Champion – Reese Reilly, Bonner Co 4-H; Senior Grand Champion – McKenna Knott, Golden Go 4's 4-H; Reserve Champion – Margaret St. Amand, 48 4-H

FFA Goat Fitting & Showing: Fr/So Grand Champion – Raylie Fleishman, Clarkston FFA; Reserve Champion – Lainey Schweiger, Riverside FFA; Jr/Sr Grand Champion – Jordan Jelinek, Richland FFA; Reserve Champion – Carlene Ross, Timberline FFA. Supreme Goat Showman: Jordan Jelinek, Richland FFA; Round Robin Champions: 4-H - Zane Downey, Big Sky 4-H; FFA – Carlene Ross, Timberlake FFA

Washington FFA State Livestock Judging

Teams: 1st – Lind-Ritzville FFA; 2nd – Reardan FFA; 3rd – Ellensburg FFA

Individuals: 1st – Alyssa Williams; 2nd – Zoe Galbreath; 3rd – Amelia Ray

4-H Livestock Judging: Junior Division: 1st – Landon Williams; 2nd – Kendyl Tetrick; 3rd – Colton Wagner; Intermediate Division: 1st – Tyler Dixon; 2nd – Olivia Wicks; 3rd – Kelly Cordill; Senior Division: 1st – Sammi Tellessen; 2nd – Kutter Driver; 3rd – Nevaeh Mobley

4-H Meats Judging: Intermediate Division: 1st – Jack Baser; 2nd - Clay Fouts; 3rd - Tyler Dixon; Senior Division: 1st – Sadie Fouts; 2nd – Milly Ward; 3rd – Piper Price

FFA Meats Judging: 1st - Kira Potter; 2nd - Eli Lyons; 3rd - Jair Naranjo

4-H Demonstrations: Junior Grand Champion – Owen & Weston Wagner, Reardan Livestock 4-H; Junior Reserve Champion – Kesli Lassman, Frog Hollow 4-H; Intermediate Grand Champion – Addilynn McKay, Frog Hollow 4-H; Intermediate Reserve Champion – Kaden Shuffer, West Plains 4-H; Senior Grand Champion – Rebecca Schwarz, Panhandle Panthers 4-H; Senior Reverse Grand Champion – Kate Guhlke, Davenport Livestock 4-H

FFA Public Speaking: 1st – Lainey Schweiger, Riverside FFA; 2nd – Turner Osborne, Sprague FFA; 3rd – Damien Jackson, Sprague FFA

Judge John Schultheis Citizenship Award Recipient: Grace Utecht, East Valley FFA

Scholarship Recipients: Grace Utecht; Kyra Holt; Lydia Wicks; Kenzie Barta; Macoy Reiber; Delaney Imler

Seabeck Award Recipients: 4-H – Frog Hollow 4-H; FFA - Pomeroy FFA

Ambassadors: Lydia Wicks (2022-23); Emma Wilson (2022-23); Anna Geddes (2023-24)

Total Animals Sold: 80 Beef, 63 Lambs, 214 Hogs, 34 Goats

Total Sale Value: $532,541.45