By Tom Collins
METCALFE —Thanks to long daily walks with her Holstein heifer, Vankleek Hill’s Ariane France was a two-time winner at the 4-H regional championship show at Metcalfe Oct. 3.
France was grand champion in the showmanship category and her charge, Brae Ape Africa, was the reserve champion Holstein heifer.
These were the latest in a string of wins this year for the duo. At the Vankleek Hill Fair, France was grand champion showperson and Africa was grand champion heifer.
Africa was also the champion 4-H Holstein calf at the Maxville Holstein Show and junior champion female at the Expo Lachute Fair.
France credits hard work for her success.
“I train my calf every single day,” said France, who is in her ninth year of 4-H. “I’ve been working with her since March, April. It’s a long, long process to get her to where she is today. She’s been really good for me, so that certainly makes her pretty special.”
Wanting to qualify for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November, France practiced leading Africa for an hour every day for a month leading up to the Metcalfe Fair.
Here are some of the other winners at the regional 4-H show.
Champion showperson: Ariane France, Prescott County
Reserve: Tamara Hamilton, Russell County
Honourable mention: Kyla Baranowski, Prescott County
Champion Jersey heifer: Avonlea Tequila Tickles, shown by Logan Welch-Turner, Frontenac County
Reserve champion Jersey heifer: Payneside DBR Trading Places, shown by Aimee VanLoon, Stormont County
Champion dairy heifer: Petitclerc Atwood Alexine, shown by Justin Velthuis, Carleton County
Reserve champion dairy heifer: Avonlea Tequila Tickles
Champion Holstein heifer: Petitclerc Atwood Alexine
Reserve champion Holstein heifer: Bonnie Brae Ape Africa, shown by Ariane France
Honourable mention Holstein heifer: Riverdown Atwood Jiggalea, shown by Cassidy Reaney, Carleton County
Champion steer sells for $7,122
METCALFE — Darren McNeely of Carleton County had the grand champion beef steer at the 4-H regional championship show at Metcalfe Oct. 3. His steer sold at auction later that day for $7,122. Rutters Elevators, of Chesterville, purchased the steer for $5.50/lb.
The reserve champion steer, owned by Justin Foubert, also of Carleton County, sold for $6,500.
James and Hill auctioneers sold 10 steer and 22 lambs. The average sale price of steers (not including the champion) was $4.97/lb. The average sale price of the lambs (not including grand champion) was $6.75/lb.
The grand champion lamb, owned by Bradley Doering of Renfrew County, sold for an astounding $25/lb. to Jeremy Nixon and Willy’s Electric. Total sale price was $3,150.
Doering is the neighbour of reserve champion lamb owner Scott Schoenfeldt. Scott’s brother, Jordan, finished second in the heavyweight class.
