The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association 2023 Fed Cattle Show brought a full crowd of spectators and buyers eager to support 12 young men and women involved in Jackson County agriculture. The auction is the culmination of market steer projects for local youth in 4-H and FFA who exhibited the same animals at the Panhandle Youth Expo in Marianna in October 2022. The show included a beef industry skills contest, showmanship contest, and steer show prior to the sale.
Anderson Pender from Jackson County 4-H exhibited the Grand Champion Steer, which was also recognized as Best Jackson County Raised Steer. Pender’s steer was purchased by Anderson Columbia for a record bid of $20,000. William Pender from Jackson County 4-H exhibited the Reserve Champion Steer, which was purchased by Culpepper Construction for $7,750. The community support of this youth livestock education event is evident in the total sales of the auction, which were more than $65,000. All 12 steers sold for an average of $4.52 per pound.
“This was my third year involved with the Fed Cattle Show, and I’m simply amazed at how Jackson County businesses show up and show out to support this awesome group of kids,” said Danielle Newsome, who chaired the 2023 Fed Cattle Show and Sale on behalf of the Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association.
Steven Stewart from Marianna Middle FFA won the Steer Weight Gain contest. Jeb Basford from Marianna Middle FFA exhibited the winning steer from the 900-1099 lb. weight class. Lila Carraway from Jackson County 4-H exhibited the winning steer from the 1100-1199 lb. weight class. Landon Cornelius from Marianna Middle FFA exhibited the winning steer from the 1200-1299 lb. weight class. Anderson Pender’s Grand Champion steer also won the 1300-1499 lb. weight class.
“Showing a steer is the pinnacle of a 4-H market steer project,” said Doug Mayo, County Extension Director and Livestock Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County. “The kids spend a year preparing for the show and learn responsibility through feeding and caring for their animal twice a day, earning the trust of a steer much bigger and stronger than them, tracking income and expenses, as well as gaining business experience in the cattle industry.”
Exhibitors competed in showmanship divisions, with Ava Bigham from Jackson County 4-H winning the junior division, Jeb Basford from Marianna Middle FFA winning the intermediate division, and Lila Caraway from Jackson County 4-H winning the senior division. Cameron Catrett served as judge for the showmanship divisions and steer show.
“We are proud to see our youth exhibitors evaluated on a wide range of skills, including raising and marketing their steer, showmanship ability, technical knowledge of the livestock industry, and record keeping,” said Carly Barnes Montuani, 4-H Youth Development agent for UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County.
Youth exhibitors also competed in a skills test to evaluate beef industry and herd management knowledge. The skills test winners were Ava Bigham from Jackson County 4-H for the junior division, Kason Mercer from Jackson County 4-H for the intermediate division, and Lila Caraway from Jackson County 4-H for the senior division.
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association, as part of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, is devoted to promoting and protecting the ability of cattlemen members to produce and market their products. JCCA is proud to support the future of the cattle industry through youth livestock education.
Kason Mercer from Jackson County 4-H pictured with his steer. Mercer won the intermediate skills test division.
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