HUNTSVILLE — One of the most anticipated shows at the 32nd annual Walker County Fair this year is the Market Steer Show with more than 30 entries for the 2010 show. 

Many exhibitors choose to raise and show market steers because they see it as a challenging, but rewarding experience.  Steers are weighed in on the next to last Saturday of October and fed until the official weigh in March 29 from 4-7 p.m. 

This year’s Market Steer Show will be held March 31 at 6 p.m.

The steers will be classified in one of two breed divisions.  The first being American Breeds including Brahman, Beefmaster, Brangus, or Santa Gertrudis and second European Breeds such as Charlois, Chianina, Limosin, and Simmental. 

Each steer is required to gain at least 2 pounds per head per day during the feeding period.  The exhibitor who has the steer that gains the most weight during the designated feeding period will be rewarded with a weight gain trophy and $250 cash. 

Not only are the animals themselves judged but so are the exhibitors as they compete for the Champion and Reserve Showman. 

Junior (ages 8-13) and Senior ( ages 14 and over) Showmanship classes will be offered and belt buckles presented to the Grand and Reserve Showman of each division. We encourage everyone to come out to the Walker County Fair and Rodeo and watch the youth of Walker County show their market steers!

This year’s 2010 Walker County Steer committee is co-chaired by Darrell Dyer and Shawn Blair.

Other committee members include Toby Dyer, Terry Giese, John Hardy, Lindsay Hardy, Johnnie Walker, Tom Pierce, Bill Tutor, Danny Beverly, Brenda Dyer and Rhonda Blair.

Please contact Darrell Dyer (936) 291-2375 or Shawn Blair (936) 291-6526 with any questions.

Warm up for the steer show by watching the Commercial heifer show a little earlier in the day on March 31.

 The Walker County Fair Junior Commercial Heifer exhibitors will be showing some great heifers when the judging begins March 31 at 1:30 p.m.  This class is different from many of the other show animals. 

The Commercial Heifers are raised for replacement cows and turned out to pasture.  Also, the heifers are shown as a pen of three and are not halter broken.  The three heifers are judged on uniformity and good breeding characteristics. 

Judges are looking for heifers which will breed, produce calves, have a good disposition and possess quality traits, which will be passed along to their offspring. 

The heifers will be approximately 13 to 15 months old at the time of the fair.  Angus, Brangus, F1’s, and crossbreed heifers are just a few of the different breeds that will be exhibited.

This year there will be 20 pens of heifers. 

With three heifers to each pen, this provides the cattlemen of Walker and surrounding counties the ability to purchase 60 head of cattle for their herd while helping the youth of Walker County. 

Participants are also judged on their knowledge ability of the cattle’s breeding, feeding, care, and cost of the project. 

Exhibitors showing heifers this year include:   Brandon Cotton, McKayla Currier, Brice Davis, Dalton Davis, Sarah Fry, Kathryn Giese, Hanna Hendricks, Tara Matcalf, Jacob Miller, Logan Mizell, Cole Pascal, Josh Rollins, Logan Slaughter, Rob Slott, Ryan Slott,  Murphy Smith, Marlen Spivey,  Kallie Winfrey, Kelsie Winfey,  and Julie Yates.

The Commercial Heifer program is supported by the committee, which includes Colt Christian as chair, Ann Christian, Robert  Hanks, Steve Hill, Sam Walker, and Clint Walters. 

The donors who present belt buckles or cash awards include:  Kelsey and Colt Christian  Shiro Feed and Fertilizer, Highland Ranch, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Yates, Rachael Cockcroft, Ann Christian and Bryon Gardner. 

The Commercial Heifer Committee would like to thank the donors for supporting the youth of Walker County.

The top 15 animals of each livestock category will be eligible to sell at the WCFA Premium Auction, which will be held April 1 at 7 p.m. in the Main Building. 

Those exhibitors whose animal did not make the top 15 will have an opportunity to sell their animals in the Freezer Sale on April 3.  The Premium Livestock Sale and Freezer Sale is open to the public. 

All interested buyers are invited to attend.  Buyer Groups will be available for those wishing to contribute to group buying.    

The Walker County Fair is only possible due to the numerous volunteers, who donate their time, energy, and efforts to support the youth of Walker County. 

A big thank you to all the committee members and sponsors for helping support the youth of our community.

We hope to see you all at the 32nd Walker County Fair and Rodeo with the theme “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams”  March 26 through April 3. 

For more information visit us online at  www.walkercountyfair.com