'The kids knew what they were doing': Dairy beef show champions shine at Lebanon Area Fair

Meredith Eberly's family members have been showing animals for several years at various local fairs, something the 17-year-old Conestoga Christian School freshman had always wanted to try.

"One day my dad said we can do it," the Reinholds said. "He looked into dairy beef, which was a very good choice for us 'cause we already have a beef farm. So we are more experienced with growing beef."

Eberly became the overall grand champion at the Dairy Beef Show of the 68th Annual Lebanon Area Fair Wednesday, competing against more than 57 contestants in the Brightbill Arena. The Lebanon Area Fair sees over 40,000 visitors each year and lasts until July 27.

The Lebanon Fair was the third time Eberly had shown animals. She attributed her win to hard work and dedication to training. This usually includes walking her animals twice a day, cleaning the dairy cows' area and feeding. But in the ring, Eberly said becoming a good showman involved the interaction with the judge as well.

"I have always had eye contact with the judge (and) make sure where they are," she said. "I also have a smile and make sure they know I'm enjoying what I'm doing and not just doing it 'cause my parents make me do it. I'm just enjoying what I do."

The animals are critiqued on their market readiness, according to B&R Angus farmer and dairy beef judge Kaitlyn Bell. This includes how much muscle, fat and the structure of the calf. Taking the time to raise and take care of the animal, even spending an extra hour or two outside at the end of the day, can make the difference of someone becoming a grand champion showman.

"The biggest piece of advice I give is don't expect to come to the fair and win if you haven't done your work at home," she said. "It's easy to get to the fair and be like '"'Oh I can't believe so and so beat me'"' ... But if you are not putting the work, the time, the dedication in at home, you're expecting to get all the rewards without having done anything."

The animals shown Wednesday were Holstein Angus cross calves. Bell said cow numbers are down across the country right now, with prices for beef cattle "through the roof." So using genetics to get a "beef-type animal" can help alleviate some of the shortage.

"What I saw today was awesome," she said. "The quality was great. They did an awesome job feeding them, getting them ready. And even on showmanship, the kids knew what they were doing. They knew so much about their animals, which is so important."

Reserve Overall Grand Champion Dane Horning was 8 when he started showing his animals at the local fairs. Now the 16-year-old Calico High School junior was leading his 6-month-old cow "Holy" through the Brightbill Arena.

"We don't really have a farm, we just keep (the cows) with some guys we know," he said. "It's really nice that he lets us keep them there. But we raise them at home, and when they get bigger we take them over there."

Having handled more than 10 cows during his showmanship career, Horning said handling an animal teaches responsibility. From washing his animals two to three times a week and feeding them every day, Horning said the process makes you think "outside the box."

"It gives you life lessons," he said. "Teaches you to work hard, where your food comes from and other things like that. Just from raising an animal."

Officials said that all the kids who've come out to the competitions at the Lebanon Area Fair this week have shown to be knowledgeable with their animals and have put the work in at home.

"The hard work is done at home, you just get to pick up your awards at the fair," Bell said.

For more information on the Lebanon Area Fair exhibit schedule and events, visit lebanonareafair.com .

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth .

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: 'The kids knew what they were doing': Dairy beef show champions shine at Lebanon Area Fair