Bentley’s Blindman Valley 4-H Beef Club show and sale took place on May 9 at the Central Alberta Ag Society grounds in Lacombe in conjunction with three other clubs.
It is interesting to note that the Blindman Club is in its 60th year.
Weather co-operated.
Numerous donors and sponsors, bidders and buyers continue to support 4-H members in so many ways and it is very much appreciated. There were over 70 registered buyers for the sale. The sale was managed by Burnt Lake Livestock Mart.
“The overall average price was $2 (per pound) over all four clubs, so that was pretty positive. I would say up at least 20 cents from last year, so it was a good sale,” said leader Allan Wilson.
“The theme this year was 4-H Beyond the Club which means more to do with the activities besides having a project, so kind of focused on camps and fun stuff like district skiing and judging clinics.”
Club results follow. Club champion went to 12-year-old Thomas Mueller’s black/white face called “Patti.” Reserve club champion went to 10-year-old Quinn Millar’s black named “Tuffy.” Both sold for $2/pound.
Best Club Rate of Gain went to Quinn Millar’s Tuffy with a 3.56 lbs./day average gain, and Kevin Wilson’s project was second with a 3.12 lbs./day rate of gain.
Senior Showmanship winner was Cassandra Ruud, 15, with Kevin Wilson, 15, second.
Intermediate Showmanship winner was Thomas Mueller, with 12-year-old Harley Whitfield second.
Junior Showmanship was won by Quinn Millar, with 10-year-old Gracie Whitfield second.
Cassandra Ruud was a member on the inter-club Team Grooming winning team.
Other members participating were Peter Mueller, 15, Falon Vert,15, Billie Ruud, 13, Char-Lee Ruud, 14, and Montana Millar. 12
No club members had female or carcass projects this year.
The raffle on the charity steer, raised this year by the Central Lacombe Club, made a profit of $5,640 for the Lacombe Accessible Playground Society and was won by Curtis Johnson.
The Blindman club will hold its annual windup at the home of the Ruud family in mid-June but they will be busy once again during Bentley’s fair and rodeo, serving up a pancake breakfast on Aug. 4.
The club had an exceptionally busy few days. On May 7, just before the show, club members had pitched in and cleaned up 10 kilometres of highway ditches from the Bentley outskirts east to the Gull Lake Wooden Shoe store and welcomed the help of six staff from the Bentley Servus Credit Union.
Blindman Valley 4-H club leaders are Allan Wilson, Andy Mueller and assistant leader Jody Millar. Spouses and other family members were greatly involved in volunteering time and help, especially during the show, and took a very active part not only in helping run and manage this event, but also of helping out all year. Extra help at the show from the Bickford family was helpful and appreciated.