Representing Future Farmers of America chapters (FFA) and 4-H clubs from Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Hall, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties, 56 young people gathered to compete for awards, ribbons and cash prizes in the 2016 Jackson Electric Membership Corporation’s 47th Annual Quality Beef Show. Together, they entered 85 animals in the competition held at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Livestock Center in Jefferson.
A heifer shown by Morgan McDaniel, Jackson County 4-H, won Supreme Champion Heifer honors, while Bella Chandler, East Jackson Middle FFA, won Reserve Supreme Champion.
A steer shown by Samantha Neal, Franklin County High FFA, won Grand Champion Steer honors, and another shown by Tyler Ertzberger, Franklin County High FFA, won Reserve Champion Steer.
A commercial heifer shown by Wyatt Chandler, East Jackson High FFA, won Breed Champion, and another shown by Madison Franklin, Jefferson FFA, won Reserve Breed Champion in the same category.
In showmanship, Jesse Cronic, Jackson County 4-H, won the Novice category; Savannah Page, Jackson County Middle FFA, won Junior; Tyler Ertzberger, Franklin County High FFA, won Intermediate; and Logan Clark, Hall County 4-H, won Senior.
In the heifer competition, breed champions and the youth showing them are as follows:
Limousin – Keely Shultz, Jackson County 4-H, Breed Champion; and Abby Frost, Barrow County 4-H, Reserve Breed Champion.
Other – Justin Morgan, Commerce FFA, Breed Champion; and Tyler Sheridan, Banks County High FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Simmental – Cindy Cooper, Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion; and Dylan Chastain, Oglethorpe Middle FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Hereford – Andy Chastain, Oglethorpe High FFA, Breed Champion; and Sydney Holcomb, Oglethorpe Middle FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
% Simmental – Morgan McDaniel, Jackson County 4-H, Breed Champion; and Bella Chandler, East Jackson Middle FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Angus – Abigail Allen, Jackson Middle FFA, won the Breed Champion; and Savannah Page, Jackson Middle FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Shorthorn – Jackson Schieszer, East Jackson High FFA, won the Breed Champion; and Allen Bridges, Madison 4-H, Reserve Breed Champion.
Shorthorn Plus – Sydney Arnold, Madison High FFA, won the Breed Champion; and Will Frost, Barrow 4-H, Reserve Breed Champion.
Charolais –Parker Sheridan, Banks High FFA, Breed Champion; and Ethan Dalton, Banks Middle FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Chi-Influence – Payton Jackson, Banks Middle FFA, won the Breed Champion; and Carlie Howington, East Jackson High FFA, Reserve Breed Champion.
Young people competing in the Quality Beef Show use the experience and judge’s feedback to help prepare for the upcoming statewide competition in Perry. “There is no entry fee for this competition. The students have the opportunity to win prizes and get pointers from the judge to help them improve their animals and skills, so everyone comes out a winner,” said Chip Jakins, Jackson EMC President/CEO.
Each year since 1969, Jackson EMC has sponsored the Quality Beef Show to honor the contribution the agriculture industry makes to Northeast Georgia’s economy, as well as to encourage leadership skills and a competitive spirit among the area’s young people.
A not-for-profit electric cooperative, Jackson EMC was organized by area residents in 1938 to bring power to a then-rural area. Now the largest electric cooperative in Georgia and one of the largest in the United States, Jackson EMC provides electric and other related services to more than 219,000 members in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe Counties.
