Submitted By: Quinn Martin, Franklin County 4-H Youth Development Educator
Franklin County 4-H livestock exhibitors showcased months of hard work, dedication, and livestock management skills during the 2026 Franklin County 4-H Livestock Roundup, held August 7 and 8 at the Chambersburg Rod & Gun Club, home of the Franklin County Fair.
The annual Roundup featured market goat, sheep, beef, and swine exhibitions, with youth competing in both showmanship and conformation divisions. Showmanship classes evaluate an exhibitor’s ability to present and handle their animal to its best advantage. Exhibitors compete within age divisions, with class winners returning to compete for Overall Champion Showman honors. Conformation classes evaluate livestock based on physical structure, balance, muscle expression, and overall correctness compared to the ideal standard for each species. Divisions and classes are established based on the animal’s current weight. Division Champions return for the Grand Champion Drive, where a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion are selected for each market species.
4-H Goat Roundup Opens Weekend
The 4-H Goat Show kicked off the Livestock Roundup on Friday evening, August 7. Chloe Heidlebaugh of Huntsville, Ohio, served as judge.
In the showmanship competition, Zoe Knoll earned the title of Overall Champion Goat Showman, sponsored by BAD Showstock. Peyton Heck was named Reserve Overall Goat Showman, also sponsored by BAD Showstock. Olivia Heck earned Junior Division Champion Showman honors.
Following showmanship, exhibitors entered the conformation division, where market goats were evaluated by weight classes and overall quality. Zoe Knoll captured both the Grand Champion Market Goat title, sponsored by Martin Power & Equipment, and the Reserve Champion Market Goat title, sponsored by Heck Motor Company. Additional championship honors included Peyton Heck, who was named Heavyweight Division Champion.
4-H Sheep Roundup Results
Immediately following the goat competition, exhibitors participated in the 4-H Sheep Roundup, also judged by Heidlebaugh.
Sheep exhibitors first demonstrated their handling abilities in the showmanship ring. Lane Brenize was selected as Overall Lamb Showman, sponsored by Souder Stock Clinic & Jackpot, while Hannah Brenize earned Reserve Overall Lamb Showman, also sponsored by Souder Stock Clinic & Jackpot. Obadiah Meyers earned Junior Division Champion Showman honors.
The conformation portion featured market lambs competing within weight divisions before champion selections were made. Hannah Brenize earned the title of Grand Champion Market Lamb, sponsored by Hurley Real Estate & Auctions. Tatum Hurley was awarded Reserve Champion Market Lamb, sponsored by Horizon Farm Credit.
Division champion honors were awarded to Bailey Hurley, Lightweight Division Champion, and Tatum Hurley, Heavyweight Division Champion.
4-H Beef Roundup Results
Activities resumed Saturday, August 8, with the 4-H Beef Roundup. Beef cattle are evaluated for muscle, structural correctness, balance, and growth potential. Judge Jesse Sundermeier of Bowling Green, Ohio, evaluated the day’s beef and swine competitions.
In the showmanship division, Lexi Carter was named Overall Champion Steer Showman, sponsored by Yeager Livestock Co. – Austin Yeager and Jaedyn Powell. Bailey Hurley earned Reserve Overall Steer Showman, also sponsored by Yeager Livestock Co. Additional Division Showman honors were earned by Hutson Hill, Junior Division, and Brynsynn Hill, Novice Division.
During the conformation portion, Lane Brenize exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer, sponsored by Webster Farms. George Webster earned Reserve Champion Market Steer, sponsored by The Nisewander Family.
Additional division champions included Iva Mummert, Lightweight Division Champion; Thomas Webster, Light Heavyweight Division Champion; and Lexi Carter, Medium Heavyweight Division Champion.
4-H Swine Roundup Results
The Livestock Roundup concluded Saturday with the 4-H Pig Roundup, also judged by Sundermeier.
Swine exhibitors first competed in showmanship, where Ella Dice earned Overall Champion Hog Showman, sponsored by Heck-Meyers, LLC. Alivia Weaver received Reserve Overall Hog Showman, also sponsored by Heck-Meyers, LLC. Ava Heck earned Senior Division Champion Showman honors.
In the market hog conformation division, Easton Dice exhibited the Grand Champion Market Hog, sponsored by Heck’s Diesel Tech, LLC. Olivia Heck earned the Reserve Champion Market Hog title, sponsored by Heck-Meyers, LLC. Cooper Lautenslager was recognized as the Lightweight Division Champion.
The swine competition concluded with the Market Pair Division, where two market hogs are evaluated on structural correctness, balance, visual quality, and uniformity as a pair. Olivia Heck earned Grand Champion Market Pair, sponsored by Dice Show Pigs, while Peyton Heck received Reserve Champion Market Pair, also sponsored by Dice Show Pigs.
Celebrating Youth Success
The Franklin County 4-H Livestock Roundup continues to provide young livestock exhibitors with opportunities to develop animal husbandry, leadership, responsibility, and sportsmanship skills while showcasing the quality livestock projects they have raised throughout the year. Through months of preparation and hard work, Franklin County 4-H members demonstrated the knowledge, dedication, and commitment that make the livestock program a valued tradition of the Franklin County 4-H Program.
Youth interested in learning more about Franklin County 4-H livestock opportunities are encouraged to get involved. Franklin County 4-H Beef, Goat, Pig, and Sheep Clubs are open to youth ages 8 to 18 and provide hands-on experiences in animal care, leadership, responsibility, and agricultural education. For more information about joining a livestock club or becoming involved in the Franklin County 4-H program, contact the Franklin County Extension Office at 717-263-9226 or reach out to Franklin County 4-H Youth Development Educator Quinn Martin at qxc114@psu.edu. New members are always welcome to discover the many opportunities available through 4-H.
