Beekman shows top steer

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Allison Beekman’s steer, Ravi, was crowned market beef champion Monday at the Delaware County Junior Fair.

“There were three of us in the final drive,” Beekman said Tuesday from outside the beef barn. “The judge, he was looking at him a while. He definitely took his time. I guess he wanted to make sure he made the right decision.”

The judge looked for things like the top of the steer’s back for the loin, whether the brisket is filled out, and that the back hips and shoulders are square.

“Judges have different ideas of what they want, so I wasn’t sure, but at the same time I knew Ravi had a chance. He was the heaviest in the barn,” Beekman said.

Ravi (as in Ravioli) is an all black market steer weighing 1,412 pounds. Beekman said they got him last October, so she’s taken care of him for nearly a year.

“He’s a good boy,” Beekman said of Ravi. “He’s calm, showing isn’t a problem. He sets his feet by himself for the most part.”

Beekman drove to Monday afternoon’s Market Beef Show after taking three classes at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where she is majoring in criminal justice. The show ended up having 10 entrants, less than some years, she said.

“I was focused on schooling, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking about the show,” Beekman said. Once she got to the barn, though, she quickly turned her focus to the competition, with a little help from those closest to her.

“It’s a family thing,” she said. “We work together as a team to get our steer ready.”

That’s what they were doing Tuesday, ahead of that evening’s Delaware County Junior Fair Sale. Rabbits and poultry were sold first, followed by Ravi as the first of the beef. Yet, before Ravi got on the truck Wednesday, he and Beekman competed in the Supreme Showman Contest, where Beekman took home third place.

Beekman, 18, of the Kountry Kids 4-H Club, said she’s been showing for nine years. She had a grand champion in 2016, as well as two reserve champions. Her family — Tom and Jennie (parents), and Angie (sister) — have a farm in Sunbury. She said they have eight heifers and a bull calf, the latter which she’ll show next year, in her final year of 4-H.

Allison Beekman poses with her champion market beef steer, Ravi, following Monday’s Market Beef Show at the 2022 Delaware County Junior Fair.
https://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2022/09/web1_Beekman-Beef.jpegAllison Beekman poses with her champion market beef steer, Ravi, following Monday’s Market Beef Show at the 2022 Delaware County Junior Fair. Courtesy photo

Allison Beekman shares a moment with her steer, Ravi, at the Delaware County Fair.
https://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2022/09/web1_Beekman-kiss.jpegAllison Beekman shares a moment with her steer, Ravi, at the Delaware County Fair. Courtesy photo

By Gary Budzak

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Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County. He may be reached at the above email address or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

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