Decatur County FFA and 4-H finish well at Parker Classic

Photo Caption: Showmanship winners from the Parker Classic held in Bainbridge on September 23, 2017.
From left to right: Judge, Allen Newsome, Mason LaMonte, Cole Smyth, Decatur County 4-H’er Carson Lynn, and Decatur County 4-H’er Jake Barber.

4-H and FFA Livestock showteam members from Georgia and Florida participated in the 2017 Parker Classic on September 23, 2017 held in Bainbridge.

The Parker Classic, formerly known as the Flint River Pork Classic, was renamed to honor, Mr. Jeff Parker, a founding member and great supporter of the youth livestock program.

The sponsors of the 2017 Parker Classic were: Elberta Crate & Box Company, Jeff Barber Family Farms, Decatur County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, and Decatur County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee.

Students from across the south exhibited market hogs, commercial breeding gilts, and registered breeding gilts.

The show began with pre-club showmanship for Kindergarten and younger swine exhibitors. Jase Staines, Amberly Griner and Ryleigh Mosely did a fantastic job in their showmanship class.

Novice showmanship is for grades 1st through 3rd and winning the class was Jake Barber from Decatur County followed by Brantley Hall in 2nd place and placing 3rd was Gunnar Berry.

Winning intermediate showmanship for exhibitors in 4th through 6th grades was Carson Lynn of Decatur County 4-H, Jhett Sapp placed 2nd and in 3rd place, Carson McKenzie.

Junior showmanship champion for grades 7th through 9th went to Cole Smyth, while 2nd place honors went to Sasser Bulloch, and A.J. Royal placed 3rd.

Senior Showmanship (10th-12th grade) champion was Mason LaMonte. Placing 2nd was Sierra Graham and 3rd place honors went to Taylor Barber. Brantley Hall exhibited the Grand Champion Registered Breeding Gilt and AJ Royal exhibited the Reserve Champion Registered Breeding Gilt.

The Grand Champion Commercial Gilt was exhibited by Cole Smyth and Brantley Hall exhibited the Reserve Champion Commercial Gilt.

In the Market Hog division students exhibited hogs weighing from 114 lbs. to 299 lbs. Mason LaMonte was named Grand Champion Market Hog, Gunnar Berry exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Hog , 3rd Overall went to Abigail Anderson, and Cole Smyth exhibited the 4th and 5th Place Overall Market Hogs.

Mr. Allen Newsome from Riverview, Florida served as the judge of the Parker Classic. Mr. Newsome has been involved in different facets of the livestock industry for over 40 years and enjoys working with 4-H and FFA members to promote the livestock programs.

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