The Sixth Annual Pike County Invitational Steer and Heifer Show will continue today at Cattleman Park. The public is invited to attend and there is no admission charge.

“This invitational steer and heifer show is open to 4-H Club and FFA members and attracts entries from Georgia and Florida as well as Alabama,” said Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator. “This year we have 43 youth showing 67 animals. That’s the most youth since 2008. We are thrilled with this large number of entries. It will make for an exciting and competitive show.”

Lyons said that it’s great to have interest from families from several states and that speaks to the quality of the Pike County show.

The Invitational began with weigh-in and check-in, a hamburger supper sponsored by the Pike County Cattlemen, and a showmanship competition.

Today will be the heifer class followed by the steer classes.

Prize money of $500 will be awarded to the Champion Steer and the Supreme Heifer.  The Reserve Champion Steer and Reserve Supreme Heifer will receive $250. Prize money will also be awarded to the third, fourth and fifth overall steers and heifers.

“The Pike County Cattlemen do an excellent job of hosting this event,” Lyons said. “They put many hours of time and much effort into making this both a fun and educational event for the youth and their families.”

Lyons said the Pike County Cattlemen dedicate a great deal of time in support of young people.

“We are especially proud to host families from out of town,” he said. “Attending these shows can be rather expensive. We are glad to have these families in Troy and hope they enjoy their stay and want to come back again.”

The fact that many of the young people and their families have participated in past invitationals hosted by the Pike County Cattlemen is an indication of the success of the show.

“I believe that speaks volumes of what the Cattlemen have been able to build and accomplish over the past years of this show,” Lyons said. “We are pleased to have a show like this in Pike County. We invite everyone to come out in appreciation of the our local Cattlemen and in support the young people who compete. Each one of them works hard to prepare their calves for the summer show and then for the fall season.

“We appreciated the young people who participate in our show and in other shows around the state.”

Youth who are interested, specifically, in livestock or in agriculture in general are encouraged to attend the show and meet other young people with similar interests.

Information about 4-H programs and the newly formed Livestock Club will be available.