Ninety-eight youth from across Johnston County participated in the annual Youth Livestock Show & Sale April 5-7. There were nine steers, twelve heifers, sixty-one market goats, forty-one market hogs, and eight market lambs entered in competition. The sale proceeds have topped $118,000.
The Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Kadence Overby of Selma and received a primary bid of $1200 from Powell Livestock Company of Smithfield and the Johnston County Cattlemen’s Association. Schyler Crocker, also of Selma, exhibited the Reserve Champion Steer and received a primary bid of $1000 from Farm Bureau Insurance.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Zade Jennings of Kenly, and his primary bid of $600 came from B&S Equipment. The Reserve Lamb was exhibited by Kadence Overby and received a $500 primary bid from Mule City Feeds.
The Grand Champion Market Goat belonging to Scarlett Denning of Newton Grove received a primary bid of $600 from Rose & Graham Funeral Home. With the Reserve Champion Market Goat, Kennedy Lee of Four Oaks received a $500 bid from the Johnston County Goat Producers Association.
The Grand Champion Market Hog was exhibited by Daniel Beasley of Four Oaks, and received a $1000 primary bid from Carolina Packers, Inc. The Reserve Champion Market Hog of Scarlett Denning received an $800 primary bid from Stevens Sausage.
The Grand Champion Heifer was shown by Charlotte Wood of Willow Spring, and Reserve Champion Heifer was shown by Lydia Crocker of Selma.
County Extension Director Bryant Spivey presents a primary bid check on behalf of the Johnston County Goat Producers Association to Kennedy Lee (R) of Four Oaks for her Reserve Champion Market Goat. Kennedy’s sister, Anderson Lee, holds the banner. 
Daniel Beasley of Four Oaks (center) is flanked by his sister Brittany and show judge Gregg Upchurch of Grandview, Tennessee. Daniel’s 270 pound hog was named Grand Champion and received a primary bid of $1000 from Carolina Packers, Inc. 
From left: Justin & Melissa Powell, Mellisa & Allen Roberts of Rose & Graham Funeral Home present a primary bid check to Scarlett Denning (R) of Newton Grove with her Grand Champion Market Goat. Hattie Jo Powell holds the banner. 
Art Pittman with B&S Enterprises presents a primary bid check to Zade Jennings (R) of Kenly for his Grand Champion Market Lamb. Zade’s brother, Carter Jennings, holds the banner. 
County Extension Director Bryant Spivey presents a primary bid check on behalf of Stevens Sausage to Scarlett Denning (R) of Newton Grove. Hattie Jo Powell holds the banner. 
Paul Dunn of Mule City Specialty Feeds presents a primary bid check to Kadence Overby of Selma for her Reserve Champion Market Lamb. Kalen Barwick holds the banner. 
Farm Bureau Agency Manager Charlie Young (L) presents a primary bid check to Schyler Crocker (R) of Selma for his Reserve Champion Steer. Schyler’s sister, Lydia Crocker, holds the banner. 
From left: HB Powell of Powell Livestock and Jody Boswell, President of the Johnston County Cattlemen’s Association, present a primary bid check to Kadence Overby of Selma for her Grand Champion Steer. Mary Wood holds the banner.
Showmanship winners were:
Beef Showmanship
- Novice-
- Grand – Harrison Griffis, Clayton
- Reserve – Ashley Blanchard, Garner
- Junior-
- Grand – Kaylee Johnson, Four Oaks
- Reserve – Kaylee Pittman, Micro
- Senior-
- Grand – Schyler Crocker, Selma
- Reserve – Lydia Crocker, Selma
Lamb Showmanship
- Junior-
- Grand – Lexi Barbour, Kenly
- Reserve – Zade Jennings, Kenly
- Intermediate-
- Grand – Anna Wells, Four Oaks
- Senior-
- Grand – Kadence Overby, Selma
- Reserve – Erin Burns, Clayton
Goat Showmanship
- Junior-
- Grand – Kennedy Lee, Four Oaks
- Reserve – Lucy Formisani, Wendell
- Intermediate-
- Grand – Scarlett Denning, Newton Grove
- Reserve – Hattie Jo Powell, Four Oaks
- Senior-
- Grand – Erin Burns, Clayton
- Reserve – Kaleb Byrd, Smithfield
Swine Showmanship
- Junior-
- Grand – Zade Jennings, Kenly
- Reserve – Kennedy Lee, Four Oaks
- Intermediate-
- Grand – Scarlett Denning, Newton Grove
- Reserve-Kaylee Johnson, Four Oaks
- Senior-
- Grand – Connor House, Smithfield
- Reserve – Daniel Beasley, Four Oaks
The Norman C. Denning, Sr. and Jean R. Denning Scholarships were awarded to Kaleb Byrd of South Johnston High and Mary Wood of West Johnston High. The Sonny Batten Memorial Endowment Scholarship was presented to Kadence Overby of North Johnston High. Youth Livestock Program Scholarships were presented to: Logan Snead and Everette Dodd of South Johnston and Katie Collins of Cleveland High School.
The Johnston County Youth Livestock Show & Sale is an annual event open to youth aged 5-18 who are either enrolled in Johnston County Schools or whose primary residence is in Johnston County. Participants learn about livestock production, record keeping, financial management and responsibility through the project. Additional information about the project is available through the Johnston County Office of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
