DECATUR -- The Decatur Future Farmers of America chapter participated in the 2018 Benton County Fair Aug. 7-11. In all, 11 members of the organization took part in the event, the highest number of members in the past several years to participated in the Benton County Fair.
Lisa Barrett, FFA sponsor for Decatur High School, praised her students for the work they put into raising and caring for their animals.
"We are extremely excited with the effort these young people have dedicated to their livestock," Barrett said.
Desi Meek was one of three Decatur FFA members to win high awards during this year's fair, including Grand Champion Duroc Gilt, Supreme Breeding Gilt, Reserve Champion Duroc Market Hog, first-class winning Dark Cross Market Hog.
Paige Barrett also brought home several high honors with several market hogs. Awards included Grand Champion Market Hog, Grand Champion Duroc Market Hog, Farrowed By Exhibitor, Grand Champion Chester Gilt and several showmanship awards including Senior Swine Showmanship, first in Livestock Skillathon, first in Livestock Judging Team.
Landen Watson was the third member of the Decatur FFA to win Grand Champion with several of his animals. Watson's Grand Champion awards and ribbons included:
Rabbits -- First Dutch Sr. Buck, first and second Dutch Sr. Does, Dutch Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex of Breed, Reserve Champion Overall fourth in class rabbit, Intermediate Showman.
Sheep -- Second market lamb, Sr. Market Lamb Showmanship, second yearling Cotswold ewe, first Cotswold Jr. Ram, Grand Champion Cotswold ram, first Southdown Jr. ewe, first Southdown Jr. Ram, Grand Champion Southdown Ram, Reserve Champion Southdown Ewe, Supreme Ram.
Judging -- First Livestock Judging Team, first High Individual Livestock Skillathon.
Other Decatur FFA members participating in this year Benton County Fair include the following:
Jacey Smith (different animals)
Meat Goats -- fourth, fifth, eighth places in comical does; fifth, seventh, eight places in market goats.
Alisun Watson
Rabbits -- First Dwarf Hotot Sr. Buck, first Dwarf Hotot Sr. Doe, Best of breed and best opposite sex of breed Dwarf Hotot, first Giant Chinchilla Sr. Buck, Giant Chinchilla Best of Breed, Grand Champion overall six class rabbit. Sr. Showmanship rabbit.
Sheep -- second market lamb, first Cotswold yearling ewe, second Cotswold Jr. ewe, Grand Champion Cotswold Ewe, first Southdown yearling ewe, second Southdown Jr. Ram, second Southdown Jr. Ewe, Grand Champion Southdown Ewe, Reserve Southdown Ram, Breeding Sheep Showmanship.
Martha Smith-Gomez
Sheep -- First Aged Southdown Ewe, first Age Cotswold Ewe, second Age Cotswold ewe, third Market Lamb, Reserve Champion Southdown Ewe, third Aged Commercial ewe, fourth Aged Commercial Ewe, fourth Yearly Cotswold Ewe, fifth Yearly Cotswold Ewe, fifth Breeding Sheep Showmanship, sixth Senior Showmanship.
Presley Smith
Heifer -- First Exotic Commercial Heifer.
Kaitlyn Funk
Pigs -- Third Duroc Market Hog class, third Commercial Gilt, fifth Hamp Market Hog.
Horse Show -- Second barrels, fourth Halter, third Poles.
4D Barrel Race -- Second.
Bryson Funk
Pig -- Second Hamp Market Hog.
Zac Luker
Pig -- Third Dark Cross Market Hog.
Destiny Mejia
Pig -- Third AOB Market Hog, second February Spot Gilt.
Emilo Smith-Gomez
Rabbits -- First Giant Chin Doe, Reserve Best of Breed, Junior Rabbit Showmanship.
Sheep -- Junior Sheep Showmanship, second Aged Southdown Ewe, third Aged Southdown Ewe, third Aged Cotswold Ewe, fourth Aged Cotswold Ewe, first Junior Cotswold Ewe, second Class 5 Market Lambs, first Aged Commercial Ewe, second Aged Commercial Ewe.
Kylie Smith
Meat Goats -- Second Place Cloverbud Market Goat, third Place Cloverbud Market Goat, second Place Cloverbud Commercial Doe, second Place Cloverbud Costume Contest.
General News on 08/22/2018