(Jefferson, Ga., February 13, 2012)—Representing Future Farmers of America chapters (FFA) and 4-H clubs from Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe counties, 64 young people gathered to compete for awards, ribbons and cash prizes in the 2012 Jackson Electric Membership Corporation’s 43rd Annual Quality Beef Show. Together, they entered 101 animals in the competition held at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Livestock Center in Jefferson.

A steer shown by Logan Waldrop, Franklin County FFA, won Grand Champion Steer honors, and another shown by Wyatt Chandler, Jackson County 4-H, won Reserve Champion Steer.
A commercial heifer shown by Wyatt Chandler, Jackson 4-H, won the Breed Champion title and the Reserve Champion in the same category.

In showmanship, Ashlyn Payne, Banks County 4-H, won the Novice category; Logan Waldrop, Franklin County FFA, won the Junior; Macy Seagraves, Jackson County 4-H, won Intermediate; and Steven Cooper, Jackson County FFA, won Senior.

In the heifer competition, breed champions and the youth showing them are as follows:

Angus – Pike Lynn, Winder Barrow FFA, won the Breed Champion; and Mariah Lynn, Barrow County 4-H, Reserve Breed Champion.

Charolais – Morgan Tolbert, Madison County FFA, Breed Champion; and Faith Turk, Banks County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Chi Influence – Chanzlee Mitchell, Jefferson FFA, Breed Champion; and Tyler Arnold, Madison County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Hereford – Olivia Minish. Madison County FFA, Breed Champion; and Thomas Ross, Lumpkin County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

% Simmental – Macy Seagraves, Jackson County 4-H, Breed Champion; and Abigail Allen, Jackson County 4-H, Breed Reserve Champion.

Shorthorn – Jackson Schieszer, East Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion; and Thomas Ross, Lumpkin County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Simmental – Steven Cooper, Jackson County FFA, Breed Champion; and Bailey Boling, Banks County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Other Breeds – Faith Turk, Banks County FFA, Breed Champion; and Tyler Arnold, Madison County FFA, Breed Reserve Champion.

Young people competing in the Quality Beef Show use the experience and judge’s feedback to help prepare for the upcoming statewide competition in Perry. “There is no entry fee for this competition. The students have the opportunity to win prizes and get pointers from the judge to help them improve their animals and skills, so everyone comes out a winner,” said Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC President/CEO.

Each year since 1969, Jackson EMC has sponsored the Quality Beef Show to honor the contribution the agriculture industry makes to Northeast Georgia’s economy, as well as to encourage leadership skills and a competitive spirit among the area’s young people.

A not-for-profit electric cooperative, Jackson EMC was organized by area residents in 1938 to bring power to a then-rural area. Now the largest electric cooperative in Georgia and one of the largest in the United States, Jackson EMC provides electric and other related services to more than 206,000 members in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Franklin and Oglethorpe Counties.