Rowan County continued a strong tradition of livestock excellence at the North Carolina State Fair with champions representing several species.
Among the junior market animal competitions, Beverly Hampton of Mt. Ulla exhibited the grand champion junior meat goat wether, while Dillon Ridling of Salisbury exhibited the grand champion North Carolina bred and born market steer.
In the junior beef heifer show, Jackson Scott of Salisbury exhibited the grand champion of all other breeds; Jake Smith of Mt. Ulla exhibited the grand champion santa gertrudis. Garrett Teeter of Mt. Ulla exhibited the grand champion gelbvieh, Austin Teeter of Mt. Ulla exhibited the reserve champion gelbvieh, and Ridling exhibited the reserve champion simmental.
In the open beef show, Green Hills Gelbvieh (the Walter Teeter family) made a sweep of the gelbvieh show, exhibiting the grand and reserve champion females and bulls.
Rowan County native Karl Holshouser exhibited the reserve champion angus female and the grand champion angus bull. Justin Ridenhour of Salisbury and Holshouser are also co-owners of the reserve champion hereford female.
Corey Foster of Cleveland almost swept the open holstein show, exhibiting the grand and reserve champions, plus the reserve junior champion.
Lauren Luther of Mt. Ulla exhibited the junior champion jersey in both the open and junior dairy shows.
Colby Menius of Woodleaf won his age group of dairy fitting and showing, while his older brother, Ryan, placed second in his age group.
Rowan County was well-represented in the junior breeding ewe and market lamb shows, with class winners, 2nds and 3rds (in classes of 20 head), in each show.
Numerous Rowan County children received showmanship pins, making them eligible to compete in showmanship finals of their species.
Brad Johnson is the extension agent in Rowan County with responsibilities for livestock and dairy. For more information, contact the Cooperative Extension at 704-216-8970 or go to www.rowanextension.com.