Between the three children, the Beers had seven Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champions at the 2023 Kosciusko County Fair. Pictured from left are Jared, Jace, Jodi, Marc, Justin and Jenna Beer. Jenna, Jace and Jared competed this year. Justin completed his 10 years of 4-H in 2021. Photo provided by Jodi and Marc Beer.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

MILFORD —The Beer family is no stranger to raising Grand Champions. Between the children, in the last 12 years, the family has raised 30 Grand Champions or Reserve Grand Champions at the Kosciusko County Fair. They have raised two barrows, two market lambs, two meat goats, 15 dairy feeder steers and nine dairy steer Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champions.

At the Indiana State Fair, the family won one Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Steer, one Grand Champion Dairy Feeder Steer and two Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Feeder Steers. The family shows at open shows all through the summer, too.

“The secret to raising champions is a lot of hard work, consistency and dedication,” Jace Beer explained. “If you don’t know about a particular species or need to learn more, find a breeder or mentor who knows and ask questions. It’s very important to listen to them and do what they say.”

Jace has been in 4-H for the last six years. This year, he won Grand Champion Meat Goat and Grand Champion Dairy Feeder Steer. The feeder steer went on to win third place overall at the Indiana State Fair. This was his first year showing goats.

“This was the first year that I have won a Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion and I had two,” Jenna Beer explained. “The most difficult part of raising animals is getting them broke to show. The most rewarding part is seeing the animal do well.”
Jenna has been in 4-H for three years.

At the 2023 Kosciusko County Fair, she won Grand Champion Dairy Steer and Reserve Grand Champion Barrow. She was also was the Beginner Swine Showmanship Winner. At the state fair, she went on to win Champion Junior Dairy Feeder Steer Showman.

“This was my final year in 4-H. I won Grand Champion Barrow, Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat and Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Steer,” Jared Beer explained. “My most memorable 4-H experience was winning supreme showmanship in 2022.”
Jared had been competing in 4-H since 2013.

He plans on becoming a 4-H volunteer, like his brother, Justin, who completed 10 years of 4-H in 2021.

“For raising champions, you have to start with a quality animal and then feed them to their potential. You need to spend time in the barn and treat their skin and hair,” Marc Beer explained. “Most of the dairy steers that we show we’ve raised since they were a few days old. A finished dairy steer takes 15-18 months.”

The family operates Beer Livestock. They purchase week-old baby calves that are selected for showing purposes. The family gets the animal weaned, vaccinated and sold to other 4-Hers.

“Marc and I both grew up on dairy and grain farms. We were both 4-H members and love working alongside our kids in the barn, teaching and learning with them,” Jodi explained. “4-H is a great way to teach kids the value of hard work. Raising show stock is a family project. It takes a team effort, and we’re so thankful for the time we spend together as a family.”