MURFREESBORO – Hard work paid off here Tuesday.

Students in Northampton and Hertford counties who spent from one year to a few months training and raising animals were able to display what they learned during the 23rd annual Hertford-Northampton 4-H Livestock Show and sale.

&uot;I think we had a high-quality show in terms of animals and the 4-Hers who brought their animals to the ring,&uot; Northampton County Agricultural Agent Heather Lifsey said. &uot;It was obvious the participants worked very hard with their animals – some for two months and some for a year – to get their animals ready.

&uot;The judge made the comment several times about what a high-quality show we had,&uot; she continued.

Lifsey said both Northampton and Hertford 4-H departments were pleased with the crowd that came to the show.

&uot;I’d like to thank everyone who came out to support children in show,&uot; she said. &uot;It means a lot to kids when stands are full.

We also thank everyone who came out to the auction and bid on an animal or something from scholarship auction. Without that support the show wouldn’t be possible.&uot;

Four new grand champions were crowned during the day in Market Class lamb, goat, hog and steer showings.

Lyndal Brown of Jackson took home the plate for Grand Champion in the Steer Division with Shirley Lee Spruill of Hertford County showing the Grand Champion lamb, Northampton County’s Matt Ellison displayed the Grand Champion goat and Denton Spruill of Hertford County had the Grand Champion hog. Denton Spruill’s hog was the eighth consecutive Grand Champion he has shown in the division.

Northampton County’s Parker Brown was the Reserve Champion in the Steer Division while Cameron Taylor of Hertford County had the Reserve Champion lamb. Arielle Ricks of Northampton County was the Reserve Champion in goats while Ebony Harris of Northampton County showed the Reserve Champion hog.

Lyndal Brown’s Grand Champion steer was purchased by Rich & Rich Auction (Richard Vaughan), while Parker Brown’s Reserve Champion was purchased by Northampton County Farm Bureau, Gay Implement Company and Boone’s Farm Supply.

Hertford County Farm Bureau, Rich Square Cotton Gin, Severn Peanut and Gay Implement Company purchased Denton Spruill’s Grand Champion hog while Harris’ Reserve Champion was purchased by Northampton County Farm Bureau and Gay Implement Company.

In the goat division, Matt Ellison’s Grand Champion was bought by Murfreesboro Farms while Arielle Ricks’ Reserve Champion was purchased by Northampton County Farm Bureau, Gay Implement Company, Boone’s Farm Supply, Sykes Grading and Ashriel Farms.

Shirley Lee Spruill’s Grand Champion Sheep was purchased by Mass Mutual Insurance (Butch Pierce), Producers Gin, Jesse E. Vaughan Farms and Coggin Agency. The Reserve Champion shown by Cameron Taylor was purchased by Metal Tech, Dockside Restaurant, REB Farms and Hertford County Farm Bureau.

&uot;I thought it was a very good show,&uot; Hertford County 4-H Agent Natalie Rountree said. &uot;We had more participation this year from the families and also had a good turnout to watch the show. New businesses were also involved in helping by purchasing the animals or just making contributions.&uot;

Before the auction, the Bill Bridgers 4-H Scholarship was awarded to Denton Spruill of Como and Nathan Parks of Margaretsville.

The judge for the show was Ron Hughes, a Livestock Agent in Johnston County. A graduate of Penn State, he was a member of the school’s Livestock Judging Team. Before his extension career, he was manager of the North Carolina Boar Test Station and worked at Zoo view Farms in Ramseur.

In the showmanship category, the following children received awards:

Senior Lamb Division: first – Shirley Lee Spruill, second – Ashley Harris and third Amber Moore;

Junior Lamb Division: first – Cameron Taylor;

Senior Goat Division: first – Megan Ward;

Senior Novice Goat Division: first – Alexander Anthony;

Junior Goat Division: first – Mallory Ward, second Matt Ellison;

Junior Novice Goat Division: first – Arielle Ricks, second – Hannah Royce and third – Andy Anthony;

Senior Hog Division: first – Denton Spruill, second – Nathan Parks and third – James Sykes;

Senior Novice Hog Division: first – Ebony Harris, second Lindsey Bridgers;

Junior Hog Division: first – Jennifer Sykes, second – Kelly Sykes;

Junior Novice Hog Division: first – Brittany Bolton, second – Will Bolton;

Senior Steer Division: first – Parker Brown, second – Jimmy Baker and third – Lyndal Brown.