Orono, ON  – Forty Eight Dairy 4-H members from seven counties in EastCentral Ontario participated in the 9th annual two-day Junior Show held at the Orono Fairgrounds on July 13 & 14, 2015.
The focus of the event is a relaxed, fun, educational, and friendly competition of showmanship and calf conformation. At lunch time on July 13th trailer loads of calves and kids descended on the Orono Fairgrounds to take part in the two-day “camp”.

Dairy 4-H members aged 9-14, washed their calves and prepared their bedding packs, before taking part in an educational afternoon, featuring tips by Stephie Murphy of Grand Valley Fortifiers on feeding and growing your calf, the importance of hoof care and a trimming demonstration by Ian Mathers of BBH Hoof Care, a Biosecurity video prepared by Bruce Sargent (Farm Boy Productions) and essential show box supplies and equipment.

Later that afternoon, the Durham East Senior 4-H Dairy Club facilitated ice breaker games, team building exercises and filled hundreds of water balloons. The 4-Her’s spent the afternoon getting to know each other and having fun. To top the day off, all the kids led their calves in a showmanship clinic led by Stephie Murphy along with many competent and dedicated senior 4-H members, for some one-to-one training. The following day, 4-Her’s put their enhanced skills to the test in front of Judge Adam Hunt of Tweed, Ontario.

First Place Junior Showperson and Grand Champion Showperson was awarded to Kelsie Armstrong of Peterborough. Lily Bullock won the Senior Showperson and Reserve Champion Showperson and honorable mention went to the second place senior showperson Maddie Wood. Also in the final parade was Connor Parish of Kawartha Lakes, the second place Jr Showperson.

Named Grand Calf for the day was the Intermediate Holstein heifer Cali Capital Gain Lesley of Jake Buckley from Kawartha Lakes, Reserve to the winning junior calf of Daniel Shier, Kawartha Lakes with Clarkvalley McCutcheon Ivory and HM to winning senior calf Maplebrough Tequila Darcy the 4-H project of Cameron Barkey Durham East. The second places entries in the 3 conformation classes were shown by Grace Hawman of Kawartha Lakes, Justyn Benschop of Durham East and Lily Bullock of Peterborough.

Not enough can be said about the invaluable donation of time, energy and enthusiasm of all the senior 4-H members and graduates of the junior 4-H program – a sincere thanks on behalf of the 48 participants.

Each year, the highlight of the event comes at the end of the show when one lucky participant is presented with a show box painted with the 4-H logo. This year’s recipient via an elimination draw was Jacob Russell of Durham West. All participants were awarded a prize following the show. A special thank you to parents, chaperons, participants, sponsors and the organizing committee.