State Fair champions hail from here

Area livestock exhibitors were among the champions and leading entries again this year at the Missouri State Fair. A brief summary of State Fair livestock winners is listed as follows:

Daviess County placed second to neighboring Livingston County in the swine division of the sweepstakes competition during the Missouri State Fair held Aug. 10-20.

The Grand Champion Poland Boar was exhibited by the Dennis Croy family of Gallatin.

Erin Croy showed the champion hog with a Tamworth in the Open Carcass Barrow Show.

Greg Smith of Gallatin showed the Reserve Champion FFA Tamworth Gilt.

Hattie Rains of Gallatin showed the Reserve Champion 4-H Tamworth Boar.

Aaron Landes of Jamesport exhibited the Grand Champion Bull in the FFA Chianina Show, the Grand Champion Heifer at the FFA Main Anjou Show, and the FFA Reserve Grand Champion Heifer at the FFA Saler Show.

Heath Oram of Gilman City showed the Grand Champion 4-H Yorkshire Boar.

Jonathan Oram of Gilman City exhibited the Grand Champion 4-H Spot Gilt.

Erin Croy placed 3rd in the Outstanding Junior Market Exhibitors (11-13 Division).

Dr. Phil “Doc” McClure of Jamesport and his grandsons were presented a “Best of the Best” plaque for exhibiting a tractor in the Missouri Ruralist Antique and Classic Tractor competition.

The following is compiled from information released by the Missouri State Fair with 4-H interview written by Linh Truong, information specialist:

Emily Gay of Gallatin had the champion boar during the Landrace Breed Show held Aug. 18 in Sedalia.

Awards were also presented in the Yorkshire, Hampshire, Duroc and Landrace breeds during the swine showmanship contest, Aug. 18. Among those receiving awards were Kyle Croy, Gallatin, in the 8- to 10-year division; and Heath Oram, Gilman City, 13- to 15-year division.

During the school year, 14-year-old Emily Gay, daughter of Keith and Tammy Gay, usually gets up at 6:30 each morning to do chores before school. Along with her family, she helps to care for about 50 hogs. Although the long hours are sometimes difficult, she enjoys working with the animals.

“They’re pretty easy to take care of,” said Gay, a member of the Knee-hi 4-H Club. “You just need to feed and water them and make sure they have shade.”

She started showing swine three years ago, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Wes, 17. “It’s fun to show. You get to meet a lot of people and be around people you know.”

When she competes against her brother during a show, she doesn’t consider him as adversary. “He has sows of his own, so we don’t usually share,” she said. “If one wins, we just wait until the next year and see what happens.”

Another member of the Knee-Hi 4-H Club, Croy started showing four years ago. He said he enjoys showing and the people he meets. Kyle is the son of Dennis and Sheri Croy. This is the second year he has won the swine showmanship award at the State Fair.

To him, showmanship is about taking good care of your animals. Croy, 10, said this means “cleaning out their feeders, washing them and going out and scooping their poop every day.”