By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photo Courtesy of Sagebrush Shots Photography

The Ferron City Fairgrounds were packed to the brim on June 19 and 20 as the Castle Country Classic Livestock Show made its triumphant return to the city one year after a devastating fire destroyed its old home.

Bringing in talent from both Carbon and Emery counties, the show awarded $ 3,880 in prize money to participants, alongside 61 of the most coveted prizes in the agricultural world: the belt buckle.

In preparation for the event, contestants spend countless hours with their animals, training them to stand and walk correctly while also exercising them to ensure the proper body structure. Contestants also spend time diving into nutritional science with their animals, carefully adjusting diets to maintain the perfect show look.

Animals must also be groomed to meet the judge’s expectations, focusing on good hair and hide qualities.

This year’s judge came by way of New Mexico, with agriculture teacher Zane Webster taking the lead at the show. “Webster is from northern New Mexico. He attended Connors State College and made the Junior College Academic All-American Livestock Judging Team. He then went to Texas Tech University and was honored to be a part of the 2016 National Champion Livestock Judging Team and named the Reserve National Champion Individual,” reads Webster’s bio.

Once in the ring, the judge carefully examines each animal and presenter, looking closely for structural correctness and muscling of the animal in relation to market readiness. Contestants carefully position themselves and their animals to show off the food qualities while hiding the less attractive features of the animal.

A full list of results from the Castle Country Classic Livestock Show can be viewed here. A photo gallery containing the grand champions and reserve champions can be found online here.