The fraternity held the AGR Beef Preview Show on Jan. 18-20 at the Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E. Ash St., in Mason, for the first time. The event benefitted Michigan AgrAbility, which provides injured or disabled farmers with equipment and resources to continue working.

The event raised about $4,000 for the charity, said David Stutzman, chair of the AGR Beef Preview Show, member of AGR and beef cattle management junior.

“We help them get adapted equipment to make it easier for them to get up and do their work every day,” Michigan AgrAbility Director Ned Stoller said to a crowded arena.

More than 215 beef cattle from across the country, and even as far as Ontario, Canada, were shown at the preview.

Each showman brought his or her cattle into the arena to be judged on showmanship and market, which judged the structure of the cattle.

Stutzman said he came up with the idea for the preview from other AGR chapters that have held successful shows for years.

“Farmers are always excited to get out and try a new show and win some cash,” Stutzman said.

Jason Smith, member of AGR and crop and soil sciences and agribusiness management junior, said the main shows in Michigan occur in December and April, so the AGR Beef Preview Show fills the gap between the two shows.

Some members of the Gamma chapter of Sigma Alpha, an agriculture sorority at MSU, came to the preview to support AGR.

Nikki Hersch, agribusiness management sophomore and member of Sigma Alpha, has been showing cattle for about 12 years. Before entering the arena to show her steer, she described the perfect muscle tone, pose and shiny coat judges were looking for.

“I was really happy they put it on,” Hersch said, adding it’s “good to have (the proceeds) go toward a good cause.”