An expensive project: 4-Hers show their beef entries at pavilion show

Several accolades have been given to Hauser Jr./Sr. High School FFA educator and adviser Aleesa Dickerson in recent years.

But during the annual 4-H Beef Heifer Show at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, it was Dickerson’s 10-year-old son who found himself in the spotlight in front of 230 spectators.

Graham Dickerson, who will turn 11 in less than a month, was chosen over seven other contenders, which gave him the right to take home trophies for both grand champion heifer and grand champion county-born and raised heifer.

His wins were at Thursday’s annual Beef Heifer Show at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.

An incoming fifth-grader at Hope Elementary, Graham said some credit should go to his father, Casey, who took care of his livestock whenever Graham had sports practice.

Other top honors went to Cooper Ross for reserve grand champion beef heifer and Ava Dempsey for reserve grand champion county-born and raised heifer.

Many farmers cannot afford to let their children raise beef for 4-H competition. That’s largely due to a 9-month gestation period for cows, as well as another 18 months before reaching full maturity. Inflation has made raising beef entries even more expensive.

However, the 28 animals shown Thursday was consistent with the last two fairs that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, 4-H Beef Superintendent Shelby Case said.

“Obviously, cost is a huge factor in this,” Case said. “They’ve already spent all this time and money, and getting a little bit back during Saturday’s livestock auction will mean a lot to these kids. I think the buyers know this.”

Logan Downey, 13, was the handler of the champion Charolais heifer, as well as reserve champion in the same category. An incoming eighth-grader at Hauser, Logan said heifers get a lot jumpier inside the air-conditioned 4-H pavilion when they feel the cooler air hit them.

The son of Nathan and Shelia Downey says a lot of effort went into getting his heifers washed and prepared for the show. However, most of the work is spread across several weeks back home. Logan said he’s been working about five hours a day on his cows just prior to the fair.

Another double winner was Payne Meek, 17, who took home both champion and reserve champion honors in the mini-Hereford competition. While the incoming senior at Columbus East High School says he has been a 4-H member for seven years, this is only his second year for showing heifers.

When the son of Glenn and Wendy Meek was asked if the honors he received was worth the effort, he answered with a less than enthusiastic, “kind of.”

Payne is far from alone in those feelings. 4-H leaders say a number of animal exhibitors feel a tremendous weight lifted after the competitions are over.

The two-hour show was judged by small cow and calf farmer Neil Hollingworth of Lebanon.

Today at the fair

Swallow Tail Solar Farm Day

9 a.m.: 4-H Rocket Demonstration – Large Parking Lot Shelter north of Grandstand

11 a.m.: 4-H Barbeque Contest – David Boll Theatre

2:30–4:30 p.m.: 4-H Grand Champion Pictures – David Boll Theatre

5–10 p.m.: Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open

5–8 p.m.: Midway Opens – Regular priced tickets until 8 p.m.

5 p.m.: 4-H Parade of Champions – Livestock Pavilion

6-8 p.m.: Children’s Book Reading – Extension Homemakers’ Fair Week Activity – Family Arts Building

6:30 p.m.: Lil’ Wrangler Horse & Pony – Horse Arena

6:30 p.m.: 4-H Supreme Showmanship and Livestock Awards – Division 1: Rabbit, & Poultry – Pavilion

7 p.m.: 4-H Supreme Showmanship and Livestock Awards – Div 2: Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep & Goats – Pavilion

7 p.m.: Columbus East Choir – David Boll Theatre

7 p.m.: 4-H Blacksmithing Continuous Demonstrations throughout evening – Building 6

7 p.m.: Indiana Pulling League – Grandstand

7:30 p.m.: Corn Hole Tournament – Farm Bureau Building, registration at 7 p.m., $2 entry

8 p.m.: Midnight Madness – $25 wristbands