Briana Shymanski/Rocky View Publishing

Jared Couch (right) and his younger brother, Justin, pose with Couch's cow/calf pair at the 4-H on Parade event at the Stampede grounds, June 2. Couch took home four awards from the event.

view all photos (-count-)

Balzac 4-H member wins top beef award

Jared Couch of the Balzac Beef Club brought home one of the top awards in the beef competition from 4-H on Parade, which was held at the Stampede Grounds in Calgary, June 2.

He won the commercial Supreme Grand Champion, as well as the two- and three-year-old Grand Champion awards and Grand Champion in showmanship thanks to his cow/calf pair.

Last summer, he won scholarships at the Olds Agricultural Society’s Summer Synergy Show and the Canada’s Richest Youth Steer and Heifer Show, but winning Supreme Grand Champion was new for him.

“I was pretty happy,” said Couch. “I’ve never won awards quite that big.”

According to his mom, Carrie, Couch’s interest in cattle goes back to when he was only four years old. When people would go to the family’s farm near Balzac, they would put the young boy on their shoulders and ask him to tell them about the cattle.

Four years ago, Couch joined the Balzac 4-H Beef Club and became serious about purchasing his own pair of cows. He saved up his birthday and Christmas money, as well as money he got from selling his first and second steer, to purchase a shorthorn heifer. When the shorthorn cow ended up being out of Couch’s price range, he bought his heifer, About Time Little Lady, at another sale.

“It was kind of his hopes and dreams that she would eventually be supreme and show really well for him,” said Carrie. “The calf, My Kind of Pretty, is like his first love, and he thinks she’s just absolutely pretty. I don’t know where he got the saying.”

While the pride of Couch’s weekend was winning Supreme Grand Champion, the Grand Champion win for showmanship was also a highlight for him.

“It’s important because a lot of people come to look at my cow/calf pair and I want them to look as good as they can. It’s advertising for my stock,” he said.

“The weekend went very well and we’re very proud of him,” said Carrie.

“They slap the behind of the supreme animals and on the way home (Friday) night, Jared said ‘I’ve never had that happen. I’ve always wondered what that would be like.’”