In spite of restrictions that kept many from attending and caused some events’ cancellation, the 70th annual Wilson County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale brought in a record $318,000 for its participants.
Logan Ballance, a 13-year-old seventh grader from Wilson Christian Academy, swept the top spots in the swine competition.
“I won grand champion pen of three, grand and reserve overall and grand junior championship,” said Logan. “I was not expecting to get that, let’s just say that.”
Sloane Hinnant, a 10-year-old, fourth grade home-schooler, took the top two spots in steers.
“I won grand champion overall market steer and grand champion overall junior showman,” Hinnant said.
Both winners are members of the St. Mary’s 4-H Club.
“The support that continues for the Wilson County 4-H livestock program is astounding,” said Jessica Anderson, a livestock agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Wilson County. “There are no other words for it. Even though we had to do things a little different this year, limited events and attendance, the community still came together to support these 4-H’ers.”
The N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Wilson County Livestock Association put on the show and sale.
“There are so many people that are critical to this event, Extension staff, volunteers, parents and our buyers, and we thank each and every one of them for stepping up to the plate this year,” Anderson said. “We wanted to make sure an event happened for 2021, and the buyers made sure we had another record year. Our 4-H’ers are so fortunate to have such folks in their corner; these are memories they will never forget.”
Hinnant had no tricks up her sleeve for how her 1,250-pound steer won.
“I don’t know, just to show like I always do,” Hinnant said. “It’s my first year of showing in the show and sale.”
Hinnant got her steer on Oct. 25 and has worked with him every day since.
“It went good,” Hinnant said. “I wash him probably three times a week, and we walk them every Sunday and Monday.”
Logan is a veteran in the competition and a past champion.
“I have nine pigs at home. I have to pick five out of them,” Logan said. “I work with them every day for 30 minutes. I condition them every day. I wash them once a week and feed them twice a day.”
Logan wants to be a veterinarian.
“I want to go to N.C. State for the first two years and then transfer to an out-of- state college to finish out,” Logan said.
SWINE
Lin Scott won reserve champion for pen of three.
McLane Sharp won best county market hog.
T. Sharp won senior champion showman.
Other participants in the swine competition included Martha-Anne Bissette, Nathan Sholar, D.J. Scott, Javan Harrell, Hunter Aliff, McKensie House, Anderson Bass, Kynslee Sharp, John Hinnant, Lila Ricketts, Connor Barfield, Madison Honeycutt, Savanna Renfrow, Charlotte Bissette, Kayla Patton, Wyatt Darling, Avery Bissette and Will Brantley.
Also participating were Drake Bass, Faith Jones, Jacob Thomason, Harley Murray, Liza Sullivan, Brileigh Smith, Emory Honeycutt, Caleb Heath, Shyann Reason, Cody Aliff, Courtney Barfield, Avery Nichols, Eli Kicklighter, Kylee Renfrow, Braxton Smith, Robbie Sharp, Graison Nichols, Libby Bass, Charlie Scott, Bryson Sharpe, Savannah Ward, Summer Patton, Rachel Thomason, Parker Sharp, Jackson Pipkin, Alyson Sharp, Josie Harrell, Sarah Scott, Cassidy Kyles and Mason Hinnant.
STEERS
Emma Vick won reserve champion overall market steer and best county calf.
Annah Claire Sullivan won second best county calf.
Ross Hinnant won champion senior steer showman.
Bryson Ingram won reserve champion senior steer showman.
Other participants included James Gardner, Luke Jones, Charlotte Edwards, Wood Vick, Emma Bass and Kate Hinnant.
