Morrisville State College students test skills showing livestock at Spring Showmanship

MORRISVILLE, NY—It was Morrisville State College student Austin Graham’s first time showing a lamb, but “Miss Izzy” made it look easy for her.



“It’s pretty physical work showing a lamb, but working with her was the brightest part of my day,” said the 19-year-old agricultural business student from Laughton, Penn. 



Graham’s debut with “Miss Izzy,” a Southdown ewe, earned her Grand Showman for Lamb during the college’s annual Spring Showmanship event held at the dairy facility off of Eaton Street. She also went home with the day’s top honor as Overall Grand Champion for All Species. 



Giving Graham advice while also competing was roommate Grace Book, an agricultural business bachelor degree student from Bliss.



The pair, rarely ever seen apart on the MSC campus, cheered each other on during the Showmanship event, a chance for dairy and agriculture students to enhance their skills in the ring showing livestock. 



Book honed her skills with “Cedar,” a red Heifer who helped her earn Grand Showman for Beef. 



Morrisville is giving the roommates a chance to follow their lifelong love of agriculture. 



Graham showed her first dairy cow, a Holstein named “Beauty,” when she was eight years old through her involvement with 4-H. She has been hooked ever since, also showing hogs while growing up. 



Freshman dairy science student Jayden McCormick, who took home Reserve Showman for Beef with “Mignon,” lauded the college’s dairy facility for the opportunities it provides students.



“The dairy facility is incredible and is so hands-on,” said McCormick, who also works there part-time. 



McCormick, who has shown cattle all around the country through a farm he worked on in East Aurora, knows experiences such as the Spring Showmanship along with the facilities Morrisville provides, will help him obtain his dream to work with ailing cows. 



“I chose Morrisville because I felt I would get the most hands-on experience,” Book said. “I have gained so much more. This helps with your confidence and work ethic and teaches you how to take pride in your work.” 



During the competition, students also had to answer questions about the livestock they were showing, including their birth date, sire, ear tag number and breed. 



Winners of the Spring Showmanship are:

Austin Graham of Montrose, Pa.-Grand Showman for Lamb and Overall Grand Champion for All Species

Jake Jaworski of Lafayette-Reserve Showman for Lamb

Kayla Heineman of Caledonia-Grand Novice Showman for Dairy

Courtney Sarlouis, of Magnolia, Del.-Reserve Novice Showman for Dairy

Natalie Strub of North Collins-Grand Experienced Showman for Dairy and Overall Reserve Champion for All Species

Patricia Hulton of Arcade-Reserve Experienced Showman for Dairy

Grace Book of Bliss-Grand Showman for Beef

Jayden McCormick of East Aurora-Reserve Showman for Beef



Morrisville State College’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs. 



The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2017 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2017 Best Colleges rankings.