Laine Carpenter with his prize winning heifer “Candy” and judge Jennifer Hoelscher of Eden. Laine’s parents are also pictured.

The Grand Champion Steer of 2025 was raised and shown by Madison Hotchkiss of Sherman.

Hotchkiss was honored during the recently concluded Chautauqua County Fair.

The Reserve Champion Steer as well as the third overall steer was raised and shown by Parker Schauman of Ashville. Laine Carpenter of Falconer raised the fourth overall steer and Levi Hotchkiss showed the fifth overall steer. Judging the show was Jennifer Hoelscher from Eden NY.

All 4-H Beef Project participants attend meetings throughout the year to gain knowledge about their animals. Beef steers can weigh from 1,000-1,600 pounds which is much more than the handler weighs. It takes over a year to raise a steer to finish and a lot of hard work to produce a quality meat carcass.

In the Breeding Beef Heifer portion of the program, Parker Schauman of Ashville won Supreme Female with his heifer JMSC Miss High Class. Laine Carpenter of Falconer won Reserve Female with his heifer Candy.

Showmanship classes judge the participants to see how well they can control and show their cattle. The Champion Heifer Showman for 2025 was Parker Schauman of Ashville. Reserve Champion Heifer Showman was Laine Carpenter of Falconer. Parker Schauman also won Champion Steer Showman and Logan Griffith of Kennedy won Reserve Steer Showman.