Fifth annual event

TG News Report

April 14 was a cold blustery day with blizzard warnings, winter weather advisories and high wind warnings across Kansas.  But the weather did not stop 4-H and FFA members and parents from hauling their cattle to the Butler County Fairgrounds for the 5th Annual Walnut River Showdown.
Young people from 11 counties with 50 head of cattle arrived to compete for prize money in the steer and heifer classes and buckles in showmanship.  Shane Werk, Farm Manager, Purebred Beef Unit Manger, KSU, was the judge for the 2018 Showdown.
The winners were:
Heifer Supreme Drive Champion:  Jace Beltz, Canton KS
Heifer Supreme Drive Reserve Champion:  Maycee Ratliff, Westphalia, KS
Market Grand Drive Champion:  Laura Carpenter, Wamego, KS
Market Grand Drive Reserve Champion: Cale Shorter, Dexter KS
Shelby Henley took Champion and Macy Lewis was Reserve Champion in the Butler County Market Show.  Anaya McCune and Macey Lewis took Champion and Reserve Champion respectively in the Butler County Heifer Show.
 Showmanship classes are a highlight where skill in presenting cattle to the judge is assessed.  The showmanship results were:
Junior Showmanship:  1st to T. J. Mills and 2nd to Tessa Watchous
Senior Showmanship: 1st to Brandy Rigg and 2nd to Jackie Sleichter
Advanced Showmanship:  1st to Jace Beltz and 2nd to Riley Sleichter
The Walnut River Showdown is sponsored by the Butler County Youth Livestock Booster Foundation (BCYLBF).  The purpose of the Foundation is to promote training and skill development, leadership, livestock management and animal husbandry.
The 2018 Showdown was only possible because of the tremendous support and assistance of the Butler Community College (BCC) agriculture program and Joe Leibbrandt. The members of the BCC national champion livestock judging team, under the direction of Taylor Frank, were critical to the success of the Showdown.  Butler students set up the facility on Friday.  They worked as ring stewards throughout the show and helped competitors fit their calves.
For additional information, you may go to www.walnutrivershowdown.org.