Tempo • Calumet County Fair 2016 • Tuesday, August 30, 2016

11

Top showmanship family’s goal at fair By Ray Mueller Following in the footsteps of their older brother and sister, Karissa and Peyton Juckem are among the 18 youth exhibitors preparing their market beef steers for the judging and follow-up sale on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively, at the 2016 Calumet County Fair on Labor Day weekend. For the Juckems, raising registered Simmental cattle and showing them at competitive events in Wisconsin and well beyond has been a family project since 2004. The family members are Jay and Denise Juckem and their children Travis, Ashley, Karissa, and Peyton. At Forest Brook Farms north of Chilton, the Juckems are raising about 40 head of beef cattle, including the two steers that Karissa and Peyton will take to the 2016 County Fair. When operated by Jay’s father Joseph and his late wife Ida, the farm was the home of registered Holstein dairy cattle which were housed in a barn that was moved there in 1941 from near the airport in Oshkosh. Emphasis on showmanship While they do not dismiss winning in the judging classes at the fair and in larger venues, the Juckems focus on excellence at showmanship. At the Calumet County Fair, that means winning the Dave Carnahan Memorial trophy which is named in honor of the late beef breeder and promoter who was also a strong supporter of the County Fair.

The Carnahan Showmanship Trophy is awarded to a 4-H club member who has a beef animal entry at the fair. The Juckem children are members of the Pine Creek 4-H Club. Based on their age brackets for the showmanship competition, three Juckems—Travis, Ashley, and Karissa—were once competing against one another for the Carnahan trophy. All three of them have claimed that trophy—Ashley twice and Travis and Karissa once each. Ashley showed one grand champion and one reserve champion steer at the County Fair. She also showed the grand champion female at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2011. Karissa has had two grand champion steers and one reserve champion at the County Fair while Travis showed a reserve champion once. Learning the basics The fundamentals of good showmanship are keeping the animal’s head up, turning the animal in the right direction in the ring, and allowing the judge to see the animal at all times, Peyton points out. Having the judge always being able to see the animal is the most important part of the right way to show an animal, Karissa adds. In addition to what they have learned from their father Jay, the Juckem children absorbed many tips on showmanship from Trent Templeton, a herdsman who Turn to juckem/page 12

Small town charm…

BIG CITY

Internet speeds STARTING AT ONLY

5999

$

MO

Essential Technologies Brillion • 920-756-2800 AU T H O R IZED D E ALER

Service not available in all areas. Minimum 24 month commitment term. $9.99/month equipment lease fee plus monthly service fees and taxes apply. Non-standard installation may result in additional charges. Equipment must be returned upon cancellation of service to avoid unreturned equipment fees. Actual speeds will vary. Use of the Exede service is subject to data transmission limits measured on a monthly basis. For complete details and the Data Allowance Policy, visit www.exede.com. Exede is a registered service mark of ViaSat, Inc.

Peyton Juckem is hoping to be the next family member to take top honors.

Ray Mueller photo

Visit our Cheese & Specialty Store! • Large S Selection l i Specialty Cheese • Wisconsin Wines and Craft Beers • Specialty Snack Items

Come in for all your party needs!

• Gl Gluten Free Products P d • Meat Products • Packer and Badger Novelties • Gift Certificates Available

Vern's

CHEESE E

Stop in and see what’s new for Fall!

312 W. Main St. • Chilton Phone 920-849-7717 Fax 920-849-7883 www.vernscheese.com Proudly serving our community since 1964.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am - 5:30pm 5:3 • Sat. 8:30am - 2pm