Connie Burns
WVU Extension
Thirty-three Pocahontas County youth participated in this year’s 4-H/FFA Livestock Show and Sale August 26 at the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards in Marlinton. A total of 55 animals were exhibited and judged – four steers, one heifer, 25 hogs, 20 lambs, and five goats.
Forty-seven animals were sold – three market steers, one market heifer, 24 market hogs, 14 market lambs, and five market goats – at the Livestock Sale which had a total sales volume of $39,068.
Showmanship contests were held in both junior and senior divisions, with the following winners receiving trophies: Kinley Taylor, Junior Beef; Jessica Armstrong, Senior Beef; Tessa Kiner, Junior Swine; Mark Jordan, Senior Swine; Kyle Cohenour, Senior Goat; Kirsten Friel, Junior Sheep; and Michelle Murphy, Senior Sheep.
The Grand Champion Market Hog, exhibited by Hannah Burks, sold for $4.50 per pound to Southern States. Murphy’s Body Shop purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog, exhibited by Wade Taylor, for $3.75 per pound.
The Grand Champion Market Steer, exhibited by Ethan Armstrong, was purchased by Southern States for $2.50 per pound. The Reserve Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Jessica Armstrong, was purchased by Pocahontas IGA for $2.35 per pound. The Grand Champion Heifer, exhibited by Kinley Taylor, was purchased by Southern States for $3.25 per pound.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb, exhibited by Michelle Murphy, was purchased by Rockingham Co-op, Monterey, Virginia, for $6 per pound. Pendleton Community Bank purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, exhibited by Mallori McCoy, for $4.75 per pound.
The Grand Champion Market Goat, exhibited by Michelle Murphy, sold for $6.25 per pound to Southern States. Pendleton Community Bank purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat, exhibited by Melissa Murphy, for $7 per pound.
Show premiums totaling $4,270 were provided for all exhibitors through donations from Dominion Energy Transmission, City National Bank, First Citizens Bank, Paul Hill Farm and Curtis and Tammy Hively.
Jean McClure made the beautiful chocolate 4-H cake decorated with white icing and large green clovers. The cake was auctioned off during the livestock sale to Southern States for $400 which will be used for project premiums for all of the 4-Hers in the county.
The judge for the show was Eddie Riggleman. Blix McNeill served as the announcer. David Hill and Ben Wilfong were the auctioneers and Cindy Burks was the photographer. Lunch, consisting of hot dogs and hamburgers, was served by Brushy Flat Bushwackers 4-H Club. Pork barbecue dinners were provided by Marlinton Lion’s Club.
The Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA exhibitors greatly appreciate the support of all the individuals and businesses who made this sale possible. Buyers and other contributors for the sale included: Alleghany Meats, Amron Building Components, Appalachian Aggregates, Bialek Insurance Agency, Citizens Bank of WV, Clifton Farm, Countryside Meats, CTM Trucking-Stephen Taylor, Dr. John Eilers, Farm Credit, First Tracts Realty, Frankford Veterinary Hospital, Gibson’s Feed and Grain, Hamilton’s Legacy, Harvest Equipment, Johnston Logging, Kniceley’s Insurance Agency, Lantz Funeral Home, Lowry Logging, Lynn Jordan, Mary Ruth Kiner, McNeill Suffolks, Mitchell Chevrolet, Mosesso Agency, Murphy’s Body Shop, Murphy’s Used Auto Sales, Pendleton Community Bank, Pocahontas IGA, Rockingham Co-op, Monterey, Ski Barn, Southern States, The Outhouse, Wilfong Farms and West Virginia Metal.
Livestock projects help to increase basic agricultural awareness, basic recordkeeping skills, and provide the opportunity for the exhibitors to build financial savings for higher education through selling their livestock. The show and sale are possible only through the generous support of businesses and individuals throughout our county and neighboring areas.