MOUNT VERNON — Fresh and finished is how judge Aaron Gray described Matt Proper’s market dairy steer. And when the show was finished, Proper — with a big smile on his face — and his 1,497-pound steer walked away with the title of Grand Champion.

Gray also said Proper’s steer not only has show qualities, but also has some “nuts and bolts to it.” The animal weighed in just under the 1,500 weight limit recommended by packers and producers.

“This steer best combines traits of market readiness,” said Gray.

In his third year of showing dairy steers, Proper said he tried to keep the animal’s back straight during the judging.

“I worked him as hard as I could, and got his back straight,” he said. “I just tried to do what I could in front of the judge.

“[The judge said] he has very good structure and is strong up front.”

Proper said another 4-H’er had the steer last year as a dairy market feeder.

“She left, so I got him, and I’ve been training him ever since,” said Proper.

Ashley Burke said she had her steer, Twister, since he was a day old.

“The hardest part will be getting rid of him [at the sale],” she said in response to being asked what her biggest challenge was.

Burke said she exercised Twister once a week, explaining that she did not want to walk off too much weight. The steer weighed in at 1,486 pounds.

Excited at being named Reserve Champion, Burke said she did not remember what the judge said about her steer, other than it was thick across the back.

Both animals came out of Class 4, and Gray spent a long time before finally naming Proper class winner, with Burke second.

An hour after the show ended, after the veterinarian papers were signed and all of the pictures taken, Proper was still smiling. His advice to other youths is simple.

“Do 4-H because it’s fun and enjoyable,” he said. “It’s just something to try.”