The Third Annual Freestone County Fair Youth Commercial Heifer Contest was held Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Freestone County Fairgrounds.

EARNING THE TITLE OF Grand Champion is Grace Smith of Teague FFA, and winning Reserve Champion is Ivy Wren of Fairfield 4-H, both who competed in the 2025 Freestone County Fair Youth Commercial Heifer Contest held January 11th. Congratulations ladies! (Courtesy Photo)

This contest’s goal is to mimic a real-world situation for these cattlemen and women and for them to gain valuable knowledge. There are 4 parts to the contest.

A record book: They keep receipts and records of feed, vet expenses, medications given and calculate their breakeven cost and even write a 2-page essay over their project.

A General knowledge Beef Cattle exam: They are given access to study materials and publications over the beef cattle industry then take a 50-question multiple choice test

Interview: They are asked general beef cattle questions about their project so access their depth of knowledge in the beef industry

Cattle pen: Cattle are judged on desirable physical characteristics and how closely matched they are.

All 4 parts added together sets the sale order. This year’s contest saw 11 participants.

 

AWARDS

–Cattle Champion: Sophie Craig

–Junior Record Book: Maze Cathey

–Senior Record Book: Grace Smith

–Junior Test: Tripp Wren

–Senior Test: – Grace Smith

–Junior Interview: Sophie Craig

–Senior Interview: Grace Smith

–Best in County Pen: Tripp Wren

–Reserve Champion: Ivy Wren of Fairfield 4-H

–Grand Champion: Grace Smith of Teague FFA

 

All 11 pens were sold in the Sale for a total of $56,700.00

–Lot 1 – Grace Smith, Teague FFA – Purchased by Texas Farm Credit for $7,000.

–Lot 2 – Ivy Wren, Fairfield 4-H – Purchased by Diamond T Ranch for $5,000.

–Lot 3 – Tripp Wren, Fairfield 4-H – Purchased by JP Clopton for $5,000.

–Lot 4 – Sophie Craig, Teague 4-H – Purchased by Gafford Cattle for $5,600.

–Lot 5 – Memphis Wren, Fairfield 4-H – Purchased by Jerred & Mallorie Swinburn for $5,000.

–Lot 6 – Savannah Stutts, Fairfield 4-H – Purchased by 3W Automotive for $4,200.

–Lot 7 – Kaedyn Ovalle, Teague FFA – Purchased by Gafford Cattle for $5,000.

–Lot 8 – Kaetyn Ovalle, Freestone Community 4-H – Purchased by Ovalle Construction for $5,000.

— Lot 9 – Maze Cathey, Teague 4-H – Purchased by 3W Automotive for $6,000.

–Lot 10 – Madilyn Steen, Teague 4-H – Purchased by 3W Automotive for $4,500.

–Lot 11 – Mabry Steen, Teague 4-H – Purchased by Jerred & Mallorie Swinburn for $4,400.

Congratulations to these young farmers and ranchers!

 

(At Top):  PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S Youth Commercial Heifer Contest are (back, l-r) Kaedyn Ovalle, Grace Smith, Sophie Craig, Ivy Wren, Madilyn Steen, and Memphis Wren; and (front, l-r) Mabry Steen, Maze Cathey, Keatyn Ovalle, Tripp Wren, and Savannah Stutts. (Courtesy Photo)