Aubree Schmidt won both the Breeding Heifer and Sportsmanship categories. Raymond Schwab won Prospect Steer and Sutter Green won Market Steer. Judging all the participants was Vicky Wilmes. Brown County was her fifth out of six competitions she will judge across Minnesota this year. She said the skill level of Brown County cow handlers is off the charts.

“The Brown County Fair is not a huge county fair, but the competition is extreme,” she said. “That was a really good set of cattle today.”

Of all the fairs she has judged this year, Wilmes said Brown County’s kids are head and shoulders above many.

“Brown County Fair sits in the top two,” she said. “These kids have done a great job. There is some good cattle here, and the kids are even better.”

Beef competition participants use curved rods gently to control and soothe their cows while they’re being judged.

In her judging of cows, Wilmes looks for good footing, big bones, and a sound structure. When it comes to Showmanship, it is all about how well kids handle and treat their calves.

Overall she believes the future of Brown County cows is a bright one.

“You got a group of kids in cattle that are gonna do great. Up [at the state fair], good chance to be in the top end of all of their divisions.”

Schmidt said she felt a little nervous going into the competition, but overall had a lot of fun.

“I had one of my better show heifers,” she said “I knew she wouldn’t cause me any problems in the show ring. Our county fair had some really nice heifers in it.”

Vicky Wilmes gets a good look at Sutter Green’s cow, judging it on its strengths and weaknesses.

For 4-H competitors like Schmidt, success doesn’t happen overnight.

“Preparing for it happens days, weeks, even months in advance,” she said. “It’s a lot of getting them in the barn with routines and making sure they’re exercised. That’s the work that we put in.”

Schmidt said she is not alone in this dedication. The 4-H clubs and competitors in this area have made sure events like this are stacked with good competitors.

“The strength has gotten super strong over the years,” she said. “We have a lot of great families in here, not only in my 4h club, but others. It’s been really fun to see the beef project grow and competition deepen.”

Schmidt was not close to being finished either. She also competed in the sheep contest later in the day, and will also enter the open class pig show Friday. Schmidt is very new to sheep, but feels right at home thanks to the welcoming community.

“A lot of families show multiple species,” she said. “It’s really nice to not be the only one showing multiple species. Sheep has been super welcoming. One of our closest family friends shows pigs with us, and it’s been fun to do that with them this whole time.”

It isn’t all work for Schmidt though. She said outside of competitions, she is most excited to watch the demo derbies.