Ozark Empire Fair 2020

Local cattle ranchers and dairymen were well-represented at this year's Ozark Empire Fair, which runs through Saturday. Cobie Kleiboeker, 6, daughter of Jared and Shannon Kleiboeker, of rural Pierce City, part of the MiWil Holsteins and Jerseys dairy operation, cuddled with Looney, a Guernsey March calf, during Saturday activities at the fair in Springfield. The lack of other area fairs drew a large number from local farms to Springfield, though there were no horses, chickens or rabbits exhibited over the weekend. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Rachel Callison, with the Fire Sweep Simmental's ranch in rural Verona, sat with Hera, one of two show heifers she brought to exhibit at the Ozark Empire Fair. Her brother, Seth, brought three head and won grand champion with his bull, Neptune, in the junior show on Friday. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Reagan and Calvin Voskamp, with the Voskamp dairy in Mt. Vernon, brought eight head of Jerseys and Holsteins to show at this year's Ozark Empire Fair. In the junior show, Reagan won three first places, two seconds and two thirds. The cows stand with the children’s uncle, Adam Voskamp. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Jared and Emmie, pictured, and sibling Chris, from the Parrigon Dairy in Stotts City brought eight head of Holsteins, Brown Swiss and a Jersey to compete in the open show on Sunday at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Blake Wright, with the Wrightvale Farms in rural Monett, won grand champion in the junior show with his Holstein, one of three head he brought to exhibit at the Ozark Empire Fair. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The Ka-Hen Farms in rural Monett brought 14 head of dairy cattle to the Ozark Empire Fair this year. Kylin Wagner, left, won second place in her class in the junior show on Friday, and Sophie Wagner won first in her class. They are the children of Duane and Colleen Wagner. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The New Dawn Farm of Mt. Vernon brought a full crew of exhibitors to show their dairy cattle in the Ozark Empire Fair's open show on Sunday. From front to rear, J.D. Sivils, Hunter Myers, Hanna Sivils and Wesley Myers won two second places and two third places in the junior show. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Garrett Grimm, with the Grimm Swiss Farms of Marionville, won grand champion with this Brown Swiss cow in the junior show at the Ozark Empire Fair. The farm brought six head to show this year. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The horticulture show by FFA members was much smaller at this year's Ozark Empire Fair, but bi-county youth were well represented. Alyssa Mooneyham, of Aurora, was the top points earner. Syndee Adams, of Miller, won grand champion in bedding plants. Tori Parnell, of Miller, won reserve champion in house plants. Hannah Andrews, of Miller, won reserve champion with this arrangement. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Glenn and Toni Obermann, of rural Monett, were the big winners in this year's hay show at the Ozark Empire Fair. The Obermanns won top honors in the highly competitive dry hay class with their fourth cutting on July 15 of Pioneer low lignin alfalfa hay, with a crude protein count of 23.2 and a relative feed quality (RFQ) of 221. Zach Baird, an officer with the Diamond FFA, looked over the winning entry, in lieu of the regional FFA officers who usually oversee the 4H show. The Obermanns also took second in class 1 legumes for their Americas alfalfa and first place in class 4 legumes for their alfalfa/orchardgrass mix. Fire Sweep Ranch, of Verona, took first place in cool season grasses for their fescue/Johnsongrass mix. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

While most arts exhibits at the Ozark Empire Fair were greatly reduced this year, especially the flower arrangements, the 4-H show had plenty of local entries. Jasmine Corn, of Cassville, won a red ribbon for this star cake. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Connor Erwin, of Verona, won a blue ribbon for this abstract painting as part of the 4-H show at this year's Ozark Empire Fair. The after-school program at Verona significantly stimulated creations, contributing around 75 entries shows at the fair. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Crafts shown at the Ozark Empire Fair gave many 4-H Clover Kids their first opportunity to enter personal creations in a public arena. Among those on display were this ceramic owl, a red ribbon winner from Vincent Welters, and the decoupage jar, from Grayson Stonebreaker, 7, which earned a participation ribbon. Both are Verona 4-H members. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Fewer home arts exhibits were on display at the Ozark Empire Fair this year but nonetheless had local representation. Dorice Baty, of Monett, won third place ribbons in the “sewing other” division for her cloth bag with cat decorations and a pair of shorts. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The photo exhibit at the Ozark Empire Fair this year lacked many of the local exhibitors well represented in the past. John Baty, of Monett, was the major bi-county contributor this year, entering several nature and water photos. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The fine arts exhibit at the Ozark Empire Fair had less than half of the usual number of entries. Dorice Baty, of Monett, a regular contributor, had four small paintings represented this year, three abstracts and a cat in her distinctive primitive style, displayed together on a bookcase. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

The children of Shannon and Jared Kleiboeker, of the rural Pierce City/Wentworth area, part of the MiWil Dairy of the Wilson family, with its Holsteins and Jerseys, based in Neosho, showed at the Ozark Empire Fair. Colton Kleiboeker, 12, at rear right, won first place for his fall calf Holstein in the junior show. His sister, Cobie, 6, was too young to show but enjoyed time with her calf, Looney. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Sophie Sweeney, of Kansas City, was back at the Ozark Empire Fair for the second year showing a heifer purchased last year from the Hillside Angus Ranch in rural Pierce City. After winning reserve champion last year in the open show, she took second this year in the Angus show. Hillside Angus Ranch is run by Mary Jo and Rick Washam, and sons Cody (with wife Joscelyn) and Dereck (with wife Brittany). Mary Jo is the daughter of Cecelia Eck, a pioneer Angus breeder in the area. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Clayton Schowe, of Cassville, with the N.C. Cattle Company, brought three head of cattle to show at the Ozark Empire Fair. He won senior showmanship with the heifer in front. His Limousin heifer won its division in both shows entered, and he won champion and reserve champion bred and owned heifer. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com

Logan Lakin, of Pierce City, with the L Bar L Ranch, brought three head of cattle to show at the Ozark Empire Fair. Lakin won grand champion cow-calf pair in both the junior and open show, and reserve champion in its division for Limousin calf. champion and reserve bred and owned heifer. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com