Top honors at the 66th annual Junior Livestock Show went to young handlers from Montgomery, Herkimer and Oneida counties on Tuesday, July 9, during the show’s final event, the Parade of Champions. The show, sponsored by The Farmers’ Museum and conducted in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension, county 4-H educators, and clubs throughout central New York, brings together youth handlers from a nine-county area for three days of competition.
The top winners at the Junior Livestock Show bested over 260 exhibitors and their 600 animals. Earning The Farmers’ Museum Cup for Best of Show Dairy was Hailey Paddock of Oneida County, who showed her Holstein, Groeslon Twilight. The F. Ambrose Clark Livestock Cup for Best of Show in the beef, swine, and sheep categories was awarded to Katelyn Reed of Herkimer County showing her Southdown Ram, Clarkshire . The Farmers’ Museum Dairy Goat Cup for Best of Show Dairy Goat went to Victoria Opalka of Montgomery County showing her Recorded, CH The CFO Height’s Winfry.
Dairy cattle Grand Champions were awarded in the Ayrshire division to Jack Vunk of Otsego County who showed Dutch-Ayr Burdette’s Misery; in the Brown Swiss division to Sharla Woodrow of Otsego County who showed Sunny Acres Denver Dilila; in the Guernsey division to Kara Evans of Chenango County who showedChurch Cinnamon Candy; in the Holstein division to Hailey Paddock of Oneida County, who showed Groeslon Twilight; in the Jersey division to Mariah Goodwin of Otsego County who showed SRF Saturn Moonbeam and in the Milking Shorthorn division to Jack Vunk, Otsego County who showed Hickory Hills Crystals Ruby; Other Breeds division to Emily Dibble, Oneida County who showed HHA Ginger (Normandy).
In each of the livestock divisions, Supreme Animal awards went to Megan Cranwell of Oneida County in the Swine category; to Megan Cranwell of Oneida County in the Beef category; and to Katelyn Reed from Herkimer County in the Sheep category.
In the Best Bred and Owned division, the award in the Ayrshire category went to Josiah Steele of Delaware County with Steele Acres B Fiona; in the Brown Swiss category to Justin Ryon of Scoharie County with Honorone Bobacious; in the Guernsey breed category to Kristin Gallagher of Oneida County with Luckyvale Yogi Cocoa, in the Jersey category to Sharla Woodrow of Otsego County with Sharmica Jacinto Marty; in the Holstein division to Hailey Paddock HuHHHHof Oneida County with Groeslon Twilight; in the Milking Shorthorn division to Kaleigh Spencer of Otsego County with KMS-Dream Sam Bess. The Dairy Goat category went to Kristi Abrams of Chenango County withKriter Kountry L Starbright. In the Sheep category Sarah Subik of Montgomery County, in the Swine Category Kaleigh Fairchild of Chenango County with SDKB2 Gold Miss 12-5 and in the Beef category to Jocelyn Duncan of Oneida County with Shale Ridge Cathy.
Showmanship Championships were earned by the following: in the Dairy division Grand Champion Showman was Cyrus Conard of Montgomery County, Reserve Grand Champion Showman Cody Sears of Schoharie County. In the Dairy Goat division: Grand Champion Showman Michaela Brandt of Chenango County, Reserve Grand Champion Showman Justin Graham of Chenango County. In the Sheep division: Grand Champion Showman to Megan Sexton of Oneida County, Reserve Grand Champion Showman to Ben Parfitt of Chenango County. In the Beef division: Grand Champion Showman to Aaron Schubert of Delaware County, Reserve Grand Champion Showman to Amanda Cranwell of Oneida County. In the Swine division: Grand Champion Showman to Amanda Cranwell of Oneida County, Reserve Grand Champion Showman to Emily Cranwell of Oneida County.
Other dairy award winners and their 4-H county affiliations include:
Supreme Junior Dairy Animal—Kara Evans, Chenango County, with Reds Fun Tequila Addlyn; Ayrshire—Junior Champion: Scarlett Newman of Otsego County with Hayes Farm Loch Gillian; Reserve Jr. Champion: Abigail DeSormaeu of Schoharie County with Stan-Ayr Wingnite Trinity; Sr. Champion: Jack Vunk, Otsego County, with Dutch-Ayr Burdette’s Misery; Reserve Sr. Champion & Reserve Grand Champion: Sydney Seeger, Schoharie County, with Lil-E’s Tuxedo Lady.
Brown Swiss—Junior Champion: Lauren Hill of Otsego County with Kinnie-Ridge Slick Reagan; Reserve Jr. Champion: Justin Ryon of Schoharie County with Honorone Bobacious; Sr. Champion: Sharla Woodrow of Otsego County with Sunny Acres Denver Dalila; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: J. Dylan Lehr of Schoharie County with Sunny Acres Payoff Llama,
Guernsey—Junior Champion: Kara Evans of Chenango County with Church Cinnamon Candy; Reserve Junior Champion: Kristin Gallagher of Oneida County with Luckyvale Yogi Cocoa; Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Lynn Farrow of Chenango County with Knapps Les Lana-ET.
Holstein—Junior Champion: Cassie Menendez of Otsego County with Rivercross Ex Jiggle; Reserve Junior Champion: Scarlett Newman of Otsego County with Maple-Downs Arupt Marlena; Sr. Champion: Hailey Paddock of Oneida County with Groeslon Twilight; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Cyrus Conard of Montgomery County with Main Drag Prescott Silence.
Jersey—Junior Champion: Kara Evans of Chenango County with Reds Fun Tequila Addlynn; Reserve Junior Champion: Parker Evans of Chenango County with Evans RCF Tequila Dazzel; Sr. Champion: Mariah Goodwin of Otsego County with SRF Saturn Moonbeam; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Kylie Lehr of Chenango County with Havs Lovabull Watchful-P.
Milking Shorthorn—Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Madesen Spellman of Herkimer County with C-Jaiz Clay Gracie; Reserve Junior Champion: Noah Steele of Delaware County with Jerbie Luke Hera; Senior Champion: Jack Vunk of Otsego County with Hickory Hills Crystals Ruby.
Other Breeds—Junior Champion: Emily Dibble of Oneida County with HHA Baildaoe Ginger Faith; Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Emily Dibble of Oneida County with HHA Ginger; Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Elija Dibble of Oneida County with PMC Captain Cinnamon.
Winners in the Dairy Goat division were as follows:
Best Junior Doe—Robert Opalka of Montgomery County with Secret Starfarm Naomi’s Pearl.
Best Udder, Dairy Goat –Victoria Opalka of Montgomery County with CH The CFO’s Height’s Winfry.
Alpine—Junior Champion: Wyatt Austin, Chenango County, with Kritter Kountry SG Swiss Alps; Reserve Junior Champion: Kristie Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry Pawn Star; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Krisit Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry L Starbright and Reserve Sr. and Reserve Grand Champion: Kristi Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry FC Sundee.
LaMancha—Junior Champion: Helen Powers of Otsego County with Silverwolf Gemstone; Reserve Jr. Champion: Helen Powers of Otsego County with Silver WolfPrimrose; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Victoria Opalka of Montgomery County withCH Mountaindale Tootsie Tiffany; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Wyatt Austin of Chenango County with Does-E-Doats Elena.
Saanen—Junior Champion: Natialie Menard of Chenango County, Lady Hill Farmshia; Reserve Jr. Champion: Paige Warren of Chenango County with Tunnel’s End KHDS Brutus; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Alexandria Opalka of Montgomery County with Secret Star Farm Goldie; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Kristie Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry SSG Zola.
Toggenburg—Junior Champion: Theresa VanLieshout of Oneida County with Braban Farm Tinkerbell; Reserve Junior Champion: Wyman Conbeer of Montgomery County with Conbeer Amy’s Indiana. Sr. Champion & Grand Champion: Kalvin Abrams, Chenango County with Kritter Kountry MM Hanna; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Kalvin Abrams of Chenango County with Cherry Glen Wagner Debi.
Nubian—Junior Champion: Robert Opalka of Montgomery County, Secretstar Farm Naomi’s pearl; Reserve Jr. Champion: Madison Miller of Delaware County with Chattlehope Caesar Stella Rose; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Kristie Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry Caprison; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Kalvin Abrams of Chenango County with Kritter Kountry P Tally.
Oberhasli—Junior Champion: Madelynn Badger of Schoharie County with Torpedo Ridge Rue; Reserve Junior Champion: Kaleigh Fairchild of Chenango County with Kiddin’ U Not Catalina; Senior Champion, Grand Champion: Robert Opalka of Montgomery County with Secretstar Farm Lady Krystel; Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Avery Schneider of Otsego County with Kiddin’ U Not Koza.
Recorded Grade—Junior Champion: Shannon Sears of Schoharie County with SRAES KK Marshmallow; Reserve Jr. Champion: Josh Douglas of Otsego County with Kiddin U Not Slick; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Victoria Opalka of Montgomery County with CH The CFO Heights Winfrey; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Kalvin Abrams of Chenango County with Tamarack Hill Trip to Arizona.
Nigerian Dwarf-Junior Champion: Rachel Brandt of Chenango County with God’s Love Farm A Lydia; Reserve Jr. Champion: Michaela Brandt of Chenango County with God’s Love Farm I Lacy Girl; Sr. Champion, Grand Champion: Wyatt Austin of Chenango County with Udderly Precious Daniella; Reserve Sr. Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Michaela Brandt of Chenango County with Hames & Axle ML Nightingale.
Other Livestock awards were presented in the following categories:
Beef:
Champion Heifer –Jocelyn Duncan of Otsego County with Shale Ridge Cathy.
Champion Female Beef—Jocelyn Duncan of Otsego County with Shale Ridge Cathy.
Champion Steer—Megan Cranswell of Oneida County with Custer.
Reserve Champion Steer—Amanda Cranwell of Oneida County.
Bravnvieh – Frank Luke Marray, IV of Otsego County with Toby.
Grade/Crossbred—Aaron Schubert of Delaware County.
Shorthorn –Brittany Fairchild of Chenago County with AM Chill Sweet Iris.
Hereford—Megan Anderson of Delaware County with AMF MJA Silky Lady.
Simmental—Nathan Hay of Schoharie County with NAH Jasmine.
Scotch Highland–Rain Paul & Brook Paul of Madison County with Ridge to Planie.
Winners in the Sheep Division:
Champion Ram—Katelyn Reed of Herkimer County with Clarkshire 308.
Champion Ewe-Kyle Sexton of Oneida County with Endenham 253.
Cheviot—Kyle Sexton of Oneida County with Endenhem 253.
Commercial—Ashley Constable of Delaware County with Sue.
Dorset – Rebecca Johnson of Otsego County with Peeta NY47-1216.
Hampshire—Ben Parfitt of Chenango County with 1276.
Natural Color—Devin Lacko of Schoharie County with Morton 0073.
Oxford—Emily VanderGroef of Herkimer County with Clarkshire 216.
Romnery –Devin Lacko of Schoharie County with Lacho 13-2-Frank.
Texel –Sarah Subik of Montgomery County with Sargent 1046.
Shropshire–Jeffrey Weeks of Schoharie County with 11-10 Katrina.
Southdown—Katelyn Reed of Herkimer County with Clarkshire 308.
Tunis—Emily Belewich of Oneida County with MJM Family Farm 1204.
Best Fleece –Joaquim Landry of Otsego County.
Swine:
Yorkshire—Megan Cranwell of Oneida County with Diamond 1-4.
Crossbred—Dalton Proskine of Oneida County with Cookie 3-7.
Duroc –Emily Cranwell of Oneida County with Reba 2-4.
Spot–Jeffrey Weeks of Schoharie County with Marty “Bertha”.
Berkshire—Kaleigh Fairchild of Chenango County with SDKB2 Gold Miss 12-5.
Champion Market Hog—Megan Cranwell of Oneida County with Bubba 43-3.
Reserve Champion Market Hog—Emily Cranwell of Oneida County with Katniss 34-3.
Grand Champion Female –Dalton Proskine of Otsego County with Cookie 3-7.
The Farmers’ Museum Good Sportsmanship Award: Awarded to any individual; exhibitor, family member, friend, or volunteer who exemplifies good conduct, character and overall good sportsmanship towards others during the show. This year the award went to Kristin Gallagher of Oneida County.
The results of the Dairy Judging Contest that was held Sunday, July 7th:
Novice Individual – First place to Aiden Ainslie of Otsego County; second place to Dalton Proskine of Otsego County; third place to Gavin Boncskowski of Otsego County; fourth place to Paige Warren of Chenango; fifth place to Quintan Davis of Delaware County; sixth place to Seth Donahoe of Herkimer County; seventh place to Sarah Keehan of Fulton-Montgomery County; and eighth place to Leah Gorrell of Chenango County; ninth place to Ben Gorrell of Chenango County; tenth place to Brennan Lester of Otsego County.
Junior Individual – First place to Dawson Darling of Delaware County; second place to Bryant Hill of Otsego County; third place to Cassie Menendez of Otsego County; fourth place to Kara Evans of Chenango County; fifth place to Tim Dahl of Schoharie County; sixth place to Kathleen Gallagher of Oneida County; seventh place to Rileigh Mumbulo of Otsego County; eighth place to Christopher Albano of Delaware County; ninth place to Jacinta VanLieshout of Oneida County; and tenth place to Austin Ainslie of Otsego County.
Senior Individuals –First Place to Tom Leahy of Delaware County; Second place to Shannon Sears of Schoharie County; Third place to Kristin Gallagher of Oneida County; fourth place to Jacob Darling of Delaware County; fifth place to Jack Brown of Schoharie County; sixth place to Lauren Hill of Otsego County; seventh place to Cody Sears of Schoharie County and eighth place to Jessica VanLieshout of Oneida County; ninth place to Miranda Hill of Otsego County; and tenth place to Theresa VanLieshout of Oneida County.
The Farmers’ Museum would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their sponsorship of the following awards: Grand Champion Brown Swiss: Barbara and Robert Kersman; Grand Champion Jersey In memory of Howard Curry Ainslie by Friends and Family; Grand Champion Holstein: The OHM Holstein Club; Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn: Brandow’s IBA, Inc; Supreme Swine: Jane Forbes Clark; Supreme Beef: Hessian Hill Farms; Supreme Sheep: Drs. Lisa and William Johnson; Grand Champion Ayrshire: David Bliss; Grand Champion Guernsey: Annie and C. Harvey Bantham in memory of Clayton H. Bantham; Best Bred and Owned Holstein by Exhibitor: Farm Credit East ACA; Best Bred and Owned Ayrshire by Exhibitor: Brandow’s Feed n’ Seed, Inc.; Best Bred and Owned Brown Swiss by Exhibitor: Lester and JoAnne Tyler; Best Bred and Owned Guernsey by Exhibitor: Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Best Bred and Owned Jersey by Exhibitor: Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Best Bred and Owned Milking Shorthorn by Exhibitor: Rick & Rosemary Aborn; Best Bred and Owned Dairy Goat by Exhibitor: The Opalka Family; Grand Champion Dairy Showman:Gold Star Feed & Grain; Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Showman Lutz Feed Company; Grand Champion Dairy Goat Showman: Jim Rice; Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Goat Showman: Sherman Hill Farmstead, Linda Smith; Grand Champion Sheep Showman: SUNY Cobleskill; Grand Champion Beef Showman: Otsego Land Trust; Grand Champion Swine Showman: Katie Boardman; Supreme Junior Dairy Animal: Stamford Farmers’ Cooperative; Best Junior Doe: FourSmyles Farm; Best Udder, Dairy Goat: The Lesniak Family; Champion Beef Heifer: The Arnold Schonberg Living Trust; Champion Steer: Zoetis; Champion Ram: Cobleskill Agway/True Value; Champion Ewe: On-A-Whim Farm, MacKenzie Waro; Best Beef, Bred and Owned: In Memory of Michael Mosher, from his family Best Sheep, Bred and Owned: SUNY Cobleskill; Best Swine, Bred and Owned: SUNY Cobleskill; Best Fleece: Clarkshire Farm, The John and Pat Clark Family.
The Farmers’ Museum Junior Livestock Show is sponsored in part by Stewart’s Shops, Chobani, Brandow’s Feed n’ Seed, and Purina.
About The Farmers’ Museum:
As one of the oldest rural life museums in the country, The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, New York, provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience 19th-century rural and village life first-hand through authentic demonstrations and interpretative exhibits. The museum, founded in 1943, comprises a Colonial Revival stone barn listed on the National Register for Historic Places, a recreated historic village circa 1845, The Empire State Carousel, and a working farmstead. Through its 19th-century village and farm, the museum preserves important examples of upstate New York architecture, early agricultural tools and equipment, and heritage livestock. The Farmers’ Museum’s outstanding collection of more than 23,000 items encompasses significant historic objects ranging from butter molds to carriages, and hand planes to plows. The museum also presents a broad range of interactive educational programs for school groups, families, and adults that explore and preserve the rich agricultural history of the region.
