Two Pike County youths took top honors in the Alabama State Beef Expo Steer Show at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery on Friday.

Kate Johnson showed the Grand Champion Steer, which was chosen from 12 steer classes and Morgan Graham showed the Alabama Best Bred Champion.

Tammy Powell, former Pike County Extension coordinator and volunteer with the Pike County Steer and Heifer Show, said this show is the first time in a long time that a Pike County youth has showed the state Grand Champion Steer and the first time ever that the county has had two Alabama State Beef Expo champions. “We are so proud of Kate and Morgan,” Powell said. “They have both worked very hard and all of their hard work has paid off with state championships. What this means to our Pike County youth steer and heifer program is that we are teaching good beef animal science information and that our young people are taking this knowledge and putting it into action.”

Powell said that showing calves on the local to state level is a family affair. “It takes all of the family working together to produce top quality show calves and we appreciate the dedication and commitment of our young people and their families,” she said.

Johnson and Graham will compete today in the Showmanship division of the Alabama State Beef Expo along with three other Pike County youths, Clay Powell, Josh Graham and Jonathan Thomas.

The Pike County youths will also participate in the Heifer and Breed Steer Show on Sunday.