Youngster shows grand champion steer

A third grader showed the grand champion market steer at this year's Nixon-Smiley Livestock Show.

Hailey Boatright, 8, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club, showed the top steer, a 1,327-pound Limousin/Maine Anjou cross. In Saturday night's sale, it brought $4,000 from a group of buyers that included Nixon State Bank, Finch Funeral Home, Nixon-Beeville Livestock Commission Co., Reliable Finance, John Dixon, Bubba and Nancy Cook and Ann and Bill Wagener.

Hailey also showed the reserve champion market hog and reserve champion breeder heifer in what was her first year of eligibility to participate in the livestock show. She plans to attend Texas A&M University and become a veterinarian.

Luke Bishop, an 11th grader who's a member of the Nixon-Smiley High School chapter of Future Farmers of America, showed the reserve champion market steer. It was bought for $2,750 by Caraway Ford of Nixon, Nixon-Beeville Livestock Commission Co. and Reliable Finance.

Whitney Pena, a member of the Leesville 4-H Club, showed the grand champion market hog. It was purchased for $1,400 by CGP Manufacturing Co.

The reserve champion market hog was shown by Hailey Boatright, and it brought $1,260 from West Motors, DuBose Insurance Agency, Snake's Wrecker Service and West Towing.

Courtney Caraway, a freshman at Nixon-Smiley High School and a member of the Nixon 4-H Club, showed the grand champion market lamb. It was bought for $1,250 by Ilene Gohmert and Charlie Tinsman.

The reserve grand champion market lamb was shown by Alexandra Setliff, 9, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club. Her lamb brought $1,125 from Janicek Insurance Agency.

Katey Aguirre, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club, showed the grand champion market goat. It was purchased for $1,500 by the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corp.

The reserve grand champion market goat was shown by Kimberly Lott, a sophomore at Nixon-Smiley High School and a member of the Nixon 4-H Club. Her goat was bought for $1,350 by Nixon State Bank, Main Drug Co. and Bubba and Nancy Cook.

Brooke Gordon, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club, showed the grand champion market rabbit. It was bought for $900 by Nixon Animal Clinic. The reserve grand champion market rabbit was shown by Breanne Williams, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club. Her rabbit was bought for $810 by H-E-B.

Cody Box, a member of the Nixon 4-H Club, showed the grand champion turkey, which was sold for $1,050 to H-E-B. During the sale, Cody held up a sign saying his turkey was "flu free."

The reserve grand champion turkey was shown by Brenna Box, a senior at Nixon-Smiley High School. It was sold for $750 to Chad Wuest and Jeffrey Patteson.

Keith Clifton, a member of the Leesville 4-H Club, showed the grand champion broilers. His chickens were purchased for $1,400 by State Bank of Gonzales, Holmes Foods and Nixon Feed. The reserve grand champion broilers were shown by Kayla Elkins, a senior at Nixon-Smiley High School and a member of the Leesville 4-H Club. Her chickens were bought for $750 by Tyson Foods.

Houston Burnett's deer blind took grand champion honors in the ag mechanics judging. Reserve grand champion was Justin Rice's tack and saddle rack.

Breanne Williams' project won the grand champion rosette in crafts, and reserve champion was Laura Pawelek. Alicia Guerrero's pecan pie bars won the grand champion rosette in foods, and Ashley Griffin's carrot-pineapple cake was honored as the reserve champion project.