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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

Christy Daniel, the daughter of Hayneville Mayor David and Ronda Daniel, took home the Grand Champion Award and Middle Weight Class Award and was second in Junior Showmanship for her steer at the 2017 Lowndes County Livestock Show held Sunday, Feb. 26 at Mid-State Stockyard LLC in Letohatchee.

In addition, she received a $250 prize for winning the Grand Champion Steer Award from First South Farm Credit, which was presented by County Agent George Hunter of the Tuskegee Extension Office in Hayneville.

Coleman Hunter, the son of Shambry Hunter took home the Junior Showmanship Award, the Light Weight and Heavy Weight Awards and Reserve Champion Award for his steers.

Daniel is 13-years-old, is in the eighth grade and attends Lily Missionary Baptist Church in Letohatchee and is member of the Angelic Voices.

She is a member of the 4-H Club, National Junior Honor Society and National Society of Black Engineers.

She plans to pursue a career in animal sciences and medicine.

Hunter is a seventh grader, a member of Snow Hill Christian Church and has been a part of the Lowndes County Youth Livestock Team.

He plans to pursue a career in forestry.

Christopher Simmons, son of Ray and Rachel Simmons, won the Senior Showmanship Award and the Heifer Show for his heifer.

He enjoys working with animals and plans to attend Alabama A&M or Auburn University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Science. He also plans to join the National Guard.

Daraja Maye, daughter of Dwight and Denise Davis-Maye, was second in Senior Showmanship and was second in the Middle Weight Class for her steer.

She is an eighth grader, a member of Mt. Moriah No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church where she sings with the Eugene L. Williams Youth Choir.

She raises Ameraucana and Rhode Island Red hens and plans to dual major in biology (pre-veterinary science) and vocal music at Tuskegee University. She also plans to attend veterinary school at Tuskegee or Auburn University and raise Brangus cattle and a few horses.

Sponsors of event were the Lowndes County Commission, Lowndes County Cattlemen’s Association, Lowndes County Farmers Federation and Mid-State Stockyard in Letohatchee.

Lowndes County Extension Coordinator Katanga Mants brought the welcome and announced the rules to those attending the event.

Lowndes County District Judge Adrian D. Johnson served as emcee for the event.

George Richburg, who has judged numerous shows in the Southeast including the 2013 Florida State Fair, served as judge for the show.

He is a 2003 graduate of Auburn University and is manager of the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit in the Animal Science Department.

Johnson said the Lowndes County Youth Livestock Show Team will advance to the district and state shows held at the 2017 Junior Beef Expo March 16-17 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.

And new Lowndes County 4-H Agent Shari Lowery announced the Lowndes County 4-H Poultry Project. She said those interested should attend an information meeting to be held March 16 at the Lowndes County Courthouse Annex downstairs in the County Commission Meeting Room at 5:30 p.m.

Lowndes County Commission Chairman Carnell McAlpine said of the county livestock show, “We are still trying to keep this livestock program alive. We had six animals this year, and we really need more participation. We need some help.”

He asked parents who have the resources and places to keep animals to “help us out.”

He said Lowndes County participants go to state and district events and represent the county.

Ringmen for Sunday’s event were Danzerrick Rudolph, Bryant Lambert and Dwight Brooks. And scales ere manned by George Hunter Jr., Nathaniel Haynes, Jasper Lambert and David Daniel Sr.