Four young Pike County cattlemen qualified at the 2013 Pike County Steer and Heifer Show March 2 to show their animals at the District and State Steer and Heifer Show in Montgomery Thursday through Saturday.

Morgan Graham, a Pike Liberal Arts senior, showed the champion steer in the 2013 Pike County Steer and Heifer Show and Trent Thomas, a Goshen High School, eighth grader, showed the champion heifer.

Josh Graham, a PLAS eighth grader showed the reserve champion steer and Goshen High School ninth grader Colton Johnson showed the reserve champion heifer.

Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator, said all four young cattlemen did an outstanding job and represented Pike County extremely well.

“These young people and their families have worked very hard over the past year getting their animals ready to show,” Lyons said.

“We appreciate their dedication and hard work and it paid off for them at from the county through the state shows.”

In the District Show on Thursday Josh Graham placed first in Showmanship, Class 3 and Morgan Graham place second in Class 2.

In the Heifer Show, Thomas placed fourth in Commercial Heifers Class 15 (1150-1270 pounds). Johnson placed seventh in Commercial Heifers Class 14 (1065-1125 pounds).

In the Steer Show, Josh Graham placed first in Class 31 (steers weighing 1110-1145 pounds); Morgan Graham placed second in Class 34 (steers weighing 1260-1325 pounds); and Thomas placed sixth in Class 35 (steers weighing 1345-1415 pounds).

Morgan Graham also placed fourth in the Overall Steer Class 34.

At the qualifying Pike County Steer and Heifer Show, Josh Graham won first place in Showmanship in the Class 12-14 years old and Trent Thomas placed second. In Showmanship Class 14-18 years old, Morgan Graham placed first and Colton Johnson, second.

In the Heifer Class, Thomas placed first and Johnson, second.

In the Steer Division, Lightweight Class, Josh Graham placed first and Johnson, second. In the Heavyweight Class, Morgan Graham placed first and Thomas, second.

The awards for best record books went to Josh Graham, first, and Morgan Graham, second.

Tammy Powell, retired Pike County Extension coordinator and volunteer with the county steer show, said the four young cattlemen are true showmen.

“They all worked hard to get their animals ready for the county and district shows,” she said. “Showing calves is a year around commitment and it’s a family project. The family has to work together in all kinds of weather throughout the year. And, that year starts about a week after the state show.

“The young people who are going to show next year will start getting ready real soon, so showing calves takes dedication and commitment. Calves don’t take a day off and neither can you. That’s why showing calves is a family affair.”

Anyone who is interested in participating in the Pike County Steer and Heifer program is encouraged to call Grant Lyons at 334-566-0985 or stop by the Pike County Extension Office on South Three Notch Street in Troy.