The Chester County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale was held on Aug. 9 to 11 at the Romano 4-H Center in Honey Brook.

Judge Ed Keeny commented on the depth in each class in both the market goat and sheep shows and congratulated the exhibitors on the quality of their projects. The beef cattle were judged by Drew Cashman, and on Aug. 10, judge Kyle Livingston worked his way through a competitive market hog show. Record crowds were on hand each night to watch the 4-H livestock shows and view the various projects completed by community clubs and outreach members.

The sale averaged well above the market prices on auction day. Four steers, 79 hogs, eight goats and 47 lambs were shown and sold at the annual event. Buyers came from all over the region to support the sale.

The Champion Steer, weighing 1,388 pounds, was shown by David Bell of Nottingham and purchased by Oxford Feed and Lumber, a long-time supporter of the Chester County livestock program. The Reserve Champion Steer, weighing 1,441 pounds, was shown by Olivia Macomber of Elverson and purchased by Shane Yarnall of Downingtown.

The Champion Market Hog was also shown by David. The 277-pound hog was purchased by Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit of Mount Joy. The 268-pound Reserve Champion was shown by Sarah Uhlman of Exton and purchased by longtime sale supporter Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm. Sixty-one of the 79 market hogs in the sale were sold as freezer hogs, exemplifying the dedication of the swine club members in marketing their projects to private individuals.

David triplicated his success with the Champion Market Lamb. His 107-pound lamb sold to John Rock Inc. of Sadsburyville. The Reserve Lamb was exhibited by Emilie Howe of Downingtown, and her 115-pound lamb sold to Howe Family Farm, also from Downingtown.

A pair of siblings from Cochranville exhibited the Champion and Reserve Champion Market Goats. Payton Engle and his sister Lyla showed the Grand and Reserve Goats. The Grand Champion Goat was purchased by Marlin Becker of New Holland, and the Reserve Champion was purchased by Dale and Karen Stoltzfus of Gap.

As an added attraction, a lamb donated by River Lease of Coatesville was auctioned off to benefit the senior livestock judging team's travel expenses. The team won the state judging contest and plans to attend several regional contests this fall. The lamb was sold and donated back 17 times by 19 different businesses and individuals. In addition, 23 individuals and businesses provided additional funding to the team through cash donations.

Throughout the shows on Aug. 9 and 10, showmanship was hotly contested, which is usual for this 4-H show. Grand Champion Beef Showman was David, and Reserve Grand Champion Showman was Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville. Payton was Grand Champion Sheep Showman, and David earned Reserve Champion and Champion Showman. Reserve Champion Showman was Emma Uhlman of Exton. The honorary showman was Cameron Johnson of Elverson.

The newest event of the fair was the Supreme Champion Showman competition held on Aug. 11. The eight participants were Melinda, Kaycee Engle, David, Ethan Macomber of Elverson, Emma, and Jeremiah Howe of Downingtown. The members participated in a round robin style show and were put through their paces by judge Drew Cashman of Elverson. The Supreme Champion Showman was Melinda, and David was the Reserve.

For further information on the 4-H program in Chester County, contact the Penn State Extension Office at 610-696-3500.