Thomas shows grand home grown steer

By Cindy Jo Ayers

With a big smile Lil Farmers 4-H member Bryn Thomas accepted the grand champion home grown fat steer plaque for a steer raised on her family farm north of Bell. Bryn is the fourth generation of Thomases to live on her family’s farm. Her steer “Poncho” weighed 1375 pounds and came out of class 2. Bryn competed against her three siblings in class 2 to take home the prize Saturday afternoon at the 59th annual Suwannee River Fair.

Quin Johnson of Chiefland Middle FFA exhibited the reserve champion home grown fat steer. Quin’s steer came out of Class 1 and weighed 1030 pounds.
Justin Yancey, formerly of Oklahoma, was this year’s home grown show judge. Justin told the crowd that this was his first Florida show since recently moving to the state of Florida and he really did not know what to expect. After judging the home grown show, Yancey told the crowd, “These steers could compete anywhere in the nation.”
Bell scored another win when a feeder steer shown by Nathan Thisse of Osceola 4-H Club was chosen grand champion home grown feeder steer. Nathan, who has spent several years competing at the Suwannee River Fair, was especially proud of his steer known as “Mr. Man.” Some 33 steers were entered in the feeder steer show.
Trenton Senior FFA Chapter’s feeder steer took home the reserve champion award. The 685-pound steer was shown by Olivia Rogers. This steer placed second in class behind the grand champion. He moved into the final show after the class winner was chosen as the grand champion.
The home grown feeder steers ranged from 555 to 730 pounds.
The first in class winners were Shelby Geiger of Bell Middle FFA in class 1; Hunter Parrish of Trenton Sr. FFA in class 2; Nathan Thisse of Osceola 4-H in class 3 and Lowgan Daniels of Bell Middle FFA in class 4.