Submitted by Jackson Collard, Club Reporter
The Millarville Stockland Beef and Sheep Club’s Achievement Day was May 14, 2016, at the Millarville Racetrack Arena. The Beef Conformation and Showmanship Judge was Sandi Jones, and the Sheep Conformation and Showmanship Judge was Kathleen Arkes. Ring master was Carlie Meyer, a former club member. “Cooper”, who the Calgary Regional Charity Steer, was on show for everyone to see. He will be auctioned off at 4-H on Parade on June 5th. All proceeds from Cooper will go directly to The Shriners Hospital for Children.
The day started bright and early at 8:00 a.m. for set-up, with the show starting at 9 a.m. with Multi-judging. Multi-judging was on barb wire, and club members had to pick the best barb wire for fencing a building. This was followed by the female projects, the Cleaver kids, the sheep projects and finally, the steers. There were 20 females, 2 cleaver members with calendar year calves, 6 sheep projects, and 19 steers. The winner of the Junior Heifer was Jessie Blatz, and Senior was Martie Blatz. Best Two Year Old Cow-calf pair winner was Clara Blatz, and best Three Year Old Cow-calf pair was Martie Blatz. Best Homegrown Heifer was Martie Blatz, and the Herd Class was won by Martie Blatz. Grand Champion Female was won by Clara Blatz and Reserve by Amy Jardie.
Then the Cleaver kids had a Current years calf as well as a Breeding Ewe. All of the Cleavers did really well with their projects. Current year Calf Grand Champion was Tait Ackermann, Reserve Grand Champion was Tanner Watkins. The current Year Calf Showmanship was won by Tait Ackermann. Breeding Ewe Grand Champion was Tanner Watkins and the Sheep Showmanship was won by Tanner Watkins.
The Sheep Project was next. The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe was won by Sage Runge. Sage Runge won Junior Showmanship, and Wyatt Runge won Intermediate Showmanship. The best Flock was won by Sage Runge.
Finally, we had the Beef Classes. Junior Showmanship was won by Clara Blatz, Intermediate Showmanship was won by Finn Blatz, and Senior Showmanship was won by Martie Blatz. Best Junior Steer was Justin Watkins, best Intermediate Steer was Jackson Collard, and best Senior Steer was Martie Blatz. Jackson Collard won Grand Champion Steer and Reserve was Martie Blatz. Martie Blatz also won Best Home Grown Steer.
A big thank you to our Buckle Sponsors – Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange, Cervus Equipment, Calgary Stockyards, and Blatz’s Backhoe. Other sponsors were Seventh Heaven Ranch, Agriterra Equipment, Foothills Auctioneers Inc., Crop Production Services, Farm Credit Canada, Richfield Equipment Ltd, and AG Country Food Mart – Black Diamond. Also thanks to Todd Watkins for organizing the multi judging set-up and handling, and Jaimie Stephenson for being our photographer. As well, the Leaders did a great job organizing the event, and we appreciate all the hard work from our parent volunteers. It was a great Achievement Day, and everyone did very well.