It was a week of warm weather, a lot of animals and plenty of talented agricultural kids at the 2022 Audrain County Youth Fair.

All told, dozens of kids from various 4-H and FFA chapters showed their skills in and out of the barn and arena and the promise shown on these days made the future potential shine bright.

“I believe the fair turnout was pretty good overall,” Kendra Smith, Mexico High School FFA instructor, said. “All of the shows had people in the stands, concert night there were people all over the grounds, and lots of traffic through the exhibit building.”

Smith said she took a lot of enjoyment from taking in this year’s livestock events.

“I have been a part of the growing/raising part of many of my student's projects from the beginning, so it is full circle to see their market projects come to the fair for exhibition,” Smith said. “

Everything gets back to the planning stages as Smith noted the first meeting for 2023 is coming up next month.

Community R-6 FFA instructor Stacey French saw plenty of talent on display from Laddonia.

“I think overall, we had a great fair for 2022,” French said. “There was a great turnout for Family Day, lots of spectators at all the shows, and great support at the Premium Auction.

“The highlight for me was working with the Youth Board throughout the event. This group is made up of kids from three FFA chapters and four different 4-H clubs from around the county. They work together throughout the year to plan the Family Day and Master Showmanship. Throughout the fair, this group of kids steps up every year to help at shows, keep the fairgrounds cleaned up, and work with kids and adults to make sure all the events are successful.”

A big highlight once again was Master Showmanship, which saw entrants compete on a level that best displayed overall skill to get the animals to the level the kids hoped to see.

The event began in 2021.

“4-H and FFA members allow us to use their animals for the Master Showmanship event,” French said. “Members strive to win showmanship in their species to be able to participate in this event. It encourages kids to work together to learn about showing different species and makes them step out of their comfort zones.”

French also sees plenty of seeds being planted for growth in the Youth Fair as it moves forward.

“We had a lot of successful events this year and I think all of them will be back for 2023,” French aid. “We hosted our first County Fair Trap Shoot this year with 30 4-H and FFA members participating. I think this event will continue to grow in the coming years.”

FAIR RESULTS and WINNERS

Master Showman

Senior: Grand distinction – Tucker Robnett, reserve – Shane Rhoades.

Intermediate: Grand distinction – Colton Cope, reserve – Lydia Van Schyndel.

Beef 

Class 3 Bucket Calf Champion: Audrey Shellabarger

Class 4 Summer Yearling Heifer Champion Supreme: Clara Wallace

Class 5 Summer Yearling Heifer Reserve Supreme: Rance Wheeler

Class 9 Early Junior Yearling Heifer Champion: Bailey Middleton

Class 9 Early Junior Yearling Heifer Reserve: Jenna Hasekamp

Class 11 Early Junior Yearling Heifer Reserve: Justin Duenke

Class 12 Senior Yearling Heifer Champion: Chase Hall

Class 15 Early Junior Yearling Reserve: Carlee Long

Class 15 Ealy Junior Yearling Heifer Champion: Tucker Robnett

Class 17 Senior Heifer Calf Champion: Chase Kendrick

Class 19 Late Junior Yearling Heifer Reserve: Lane Willard

Class 20 Late Junior Yearling Bull Supreme: Garrett Schuering

Class 23 Summer Yearling Bull Reserve: Lane Willard

PIG

X-Bred Grand Champion: Greenley Curtis

Reserve Chester: Carlee Long

GOAT

Breeding Stock Doe Reserve: Bryson Regot

Breeding Stock Doe Champion: Adam Rhoades

Junior Champ Doe Breeding Stock Doe Champion: Bryson Regot 

Junior Champ Doe Breeding Stock Doe Reserve: Macie Rhoades

Yearling Champ doe Breeding Stock Doe Champion: Maelea Parrish

Yearling Champ doe Breeding Stock Reserve: Bryson Regot

Senior Champ Doe Junior Supreme: Adam Rhoades

Champion Doe Yr. Reserve Supreme: Bryson Regot

Champion Buck: Maelea Parrish

Reserve Buck: Jared Shuck

SHEEP

Dorper Senior Ewe Champion: Lauren Lafferty

Dorper Senior Ram Champion: Lauren Lafferty

Dorper Yearling Reserve: Jackson Lafferty

Dorper Yearling Ewe: Lauren Lafferty 

Dorset Yearling Reserve: Wade Nichols

Dorset Senior Ewe Champion: Cari Green

Dorset Senior Ram Champion: Myra McWilliams

Dorset Advantage Junior Ewe Reserve: Myra McWilliams

Dorset Advantage Yearling Ewe Champion: Myra McWilliams

Hampshire Junior Ewe Champion: Nolan Berry

Katahdin Yearling Ram Champion: Cody Aslin

Katahdin Junior Ram Reserve: Cody Aslin

Katahdin Yearling Ewe Champion: Cody Aslin

Katahdin Junior Ewe Reserve: Makenna Reynolds

Montadale Junior Ewe Champion: Cari Green

Shrop Junior Ram Champion: TJ Belt

Shrop Senior Ewe Champion Supreme: TJ Belt

Shrop Junior Ewe Reserve: TJ Belt

Southdown Junior Ram Champion: Andi Belt

Southdown Senior Ewe Reserve: Andi Belt

Southdown Junior Ewe Champion: Andi Belt

Texel Yearling Ram Champion: Jace McWilliams

Texel Junior Ewe Champion: Jace McWlliams

Tunis Junior Ram Champion: Jenna Hasekamp

Tunis Yearling Ewe Champion: Jenna Hasekamp

Tunis Junior Ewe Reserve: Jenna Hasekamp

Crossbred Junior Ram Champion: Cari Green

Crossbreed Junior Ewe Reserve: Shane Rhoades

Crossbreed Junior Ewe Supreme Champion: Shane Rhoades

RABBITT

Holland Lop Senior Buck Grand: Gabrielle Martin

Holland Lop Junior Doe Reserve: Gabrielle Martin

Mini Rex Senior Doe Grand: Anna Isgrig

Mini Rex Junior Buck Reserve: Audrey Prater

New Zealand Senior Buck Reserve: William Blair

New Zealand Senior Doe Grand Best in Show: William Blair

Californian Junior Buck Reserve: Gabrielle Martin

Californian Junior Doe Grand: Gabrielle Martin

POULTRY

Large Breed Hen Reserve: Micah Birt

Large Breed Pullet Champion: Riley Dycus

Bantum Single Hen Champion: Walker Dycus

Bantum Single Pullet Reserve: Walker Dycus

Meat Pen Champ: Micah Birt

Meat Pen Reserve: Titus Birt