Waters and Lett take top spots in Senior Showmanship

Not everyone earns the distinction of winning first place in Senior Showmanship in showing beef, but at this year’s Phillips County Fair Madison Waters did.

She entered the judging area with her yearling Angus steer affectionately named, “Between the Bun.”

She was asked by the judge, what is a major disadvantage for the beef industry?

“I said, We have a lack of cattle and the lack of grassland,” Madison said.

She was also asked what the daily gain of weight was for her specific yearling, who weighed in at 1450 lbs.

She responded, with an answer of 2.93 lbs per day.

The steer she showed off at the fair was a lot calmer than the one she used last year.

“Last year I had a tough time because my steer wanted to take off and this year my steer was nice,” she told the PCN.

Between the Bun is the biggest steer Waters ever raised but apparently BTB is also a gentle giant, allowing Waters to walk right up to him

It is very clear that Waters loves raising beef and that showed during her showing.

“I mostly enjoy spending time with them, moving cows on my horses and working cows. It’s my favorite,” she said.

Between the Bun was ultimately purchased by The First State Bank of Malta for $5.740.00 or $4.10 per pound.

Markelle Lett also showed a deep love for raising beef as she showed her 1375 pound Charolais steer “Big Time.”

“He was fine at my grandma’s house but I think the ride up here was too traumatic for him because he got a little spooked,” Lett said. “He did good in the ring but he just wasn’t as gentle as he was before.”

Lett was asked questions similar to Waters, like about her steer’s weight gain.

“ I wasn’t too sure but I said three because they’re a bigger calf than the rest,” she said.

For her second she was asked, what is the biggest challenge for beef today and how would I solve it?

“The number in beef has gone down so the prices have gone up, so it’s hard to keep consumers happy,” Lett said. “The ranchers are happy but the consumers have to pay more.”

Her solution was brilliant. Lower the taxes. That would definitely help everyone.

She has been showing beef for four years and seems to handle her steer quite well.

This isn’t her first year in the winner’s bracket. Her first year she received a grand champion ribbon in showmanship and in market.

She followed that by earning a grand champion ribbon in Market the next year and then reserve champion her third year.

Though Lett helps her maternal Grandfather and her uncle Dusty Young out with their cattle, she is considering raising them when she has a family of her own.

“I’ve been thinking about it,” she said. “When I have kids of my own I’d want them to be in 4-H, because it’s a good group to be in, teaching them leadership skills.”

Her favorite part of raising cattle is watching them grow in health and in size.