SUBLETTE COUNTY – This year’s Sublette County Bred and Raised Market Beef contest was the largest in years with 61 fluffed and buffed steers and heifers born in the county and raised by dedicated 4-Hers.

With winners from the eight weight classes entering the ring to compete for the top title, judge Kyle Despain took his time – and selected Muriel Jones’s 1,338-pound steer “Novillo” from Pam Chrisman’s Fish Creek Flying W Ranches near Big Piney. Both Jones and Chrisman were thrilled with their honors.

Jones received a grand champion buckle from Jeanne Murdock, president of the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association and an envelope. Chrisman proudly posed for pictures with her and received the very special 2021 winning breeder jacket. As promised for winning, Chrisman will give the Jones family one free calf next spring.

Reserve champion honors went to Briggs Bailey’s 1,375-pound Charolais steer from Grant Ranches near LaBarge.

This year’s show was the largest and best yet, according to organizer Wayne Barlow – “We paid out more than $3,400 for this Sublette Bred and Raised – we give cash to everyone who enters.”

The other winners and breeders contending with Jones and Chrisman were Kellum Carnahan for Carnahan Cattle Company – twice – and Brandon Jones and Bruce Jones Ranch, Hampton Jones and Bruce Jones Ranch, Rylee Helm and Carnahan Cattle Co., Phoebe Jones and Bruce Jones Ranch and Briggs Bailey and Grant Ranches.

“I’m not one for huge speeches but this has been a really fun day,” Despain said of judging the show. “The quality in this year’s show ring runs all the way through to show the county’s quality breeding. This has been a phenomenal set of steers.”