The Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show hosted by NETLA featured 26 entries Competing in seven classes at the 2022 Steer Contest held Friday at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Four youth showed more than one steer, each in a different class.
Additionally, Hopkins County FFA and 4-H members showing their livestock projects also had the opportunity compete by age for Showmanship honors, and the top two steers overall were named Grand and Reserve Champion.
Nine competitors aged 14 and up presented their steers in the Senior Showmanship category. Miller Grove FFA member Mika Gray was named Senior Showman and received a belt buckle for the achievement just prior to the Sale of Champions project auction Saturday afternoon. Mika showed a 1,290 steer ranked third in Class 4.
Four youth ages 11-13 competed for Intermediate Showmanship honors with a 1,225 pound steer. Hopkins County 4-H member Braxton Purser earned the honor and received a buckle Saturday. Braxton’s steer finished fifth in Class 3 during the 2022 Steer Contest Friday.
Of the youth ages 8-10, North Hopkins FFA member Lila Bettes earned Junior Showmanship Honors. Lila showed a 1,375 pound steer, which finished second in Class 5 behind Cumby FFA member Tatum White, whose 1,375 pounds steer not only took first in Class 5 but was also named Grand Champion Steer.
Recognized for individual achievement in their class were the following by class and rank:
Class 1
- Destiny Lackey, Hopkins County 4-H
- Kaitlyn Myers, North Hopkins FFA
- Kouper Sawyer, HC4H
Class 2
- Kaitlyn Myers, NHFFA
- Joiah Stanley, Sulphur Springs FFA
- Marshall Johnson, Sulphur Bluff FFA
- Ethan George, Miller Grove FFA
Class 3
- Dylan Strain, SBFFA
- Rhye Caudle, HC4H
- Rhayne Thomas, Como-Picikton FFA
- Destiny Lackey, HC4H
- Braxton Purser, HC4H
- Isaac Stanley, SSFFA
Class 4
- Madi Skaggs, HC4H
- Rhye Caudle, HC4H
- Mika Gray, MGFFA
- Case Fails, SSFFA
- Gideon Stanley, SSFFA
Class 5
- Tatum White, Cumby FFA
- Lila Bettes, NHFFA
- Rhayne Thomas, CPFFA
- Dodge Chamness, HC4H
- Case Fails, SSFFA
Class 6
- Hallie Lawrence, SSFFA
- Rolando Massey, HC4H
Class 7
- Roman Massey