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4-H fair plans already under way
MONTEREY - October began a new 4-H year, a time for 4-H members to reflect on last year's successes and look forward to what
new year will bring. Even before the dust had time to settle at the Highland County fairgrounds, many 4-H members were planning for next year's Highland County Fair youth livestock show.
This past year, 39 youth exhibitors brought more than 150 animals to the fair. Compare that to the 60 animals shown just 10 years ago. The fair livestock committee expects just as many, if not more, youth and animals to participate in 2008 as were seen at the 2007 fair.
While the number of market steers has decreased over the past few years, the numbers of feeder steers, market lambs, and market hogs has seen a steady increase. Some exhibitors and parents attribute the decrease in market steers to the dramatic rise in feed costs and the long term commitment required for youth to complete the market steer project. The project typically takes 6-12 months to complete and requires hundreds of dollars in feed. Some exhibitors see a better financial return and less labor by opting to show a feeder steer or market sheep.
However, Charlie Moyers and Kari Obaugh of Busy Bee 4-H Club agree that the experience gained with a 4-H market steer project outweighs the costs. Both have already made plans to show a market steer again next year. Moyers, who exhibited this year's reserve champion market steer, said, "I made a profit, barely…but the project teaches me how to manage animals." Obaugh estimated a profit of a few hundred dollars but says not all the rewards of the project are financial. She says, "There is the joy of doing it for the learning experience" and the opportunity "to go to other shows" with the animals. She will be buying her next market steer prospect from a local farm within the next couple weeks.
Other exhibitors plan to continue animal projects that they know work well for them. Kate Obaugh, who exhibited this year's feeder steer champion, is thinking about entering one or two feeder steers for the fair. She says she enjoys 4-H cattle projects because she has grown up with cattle around the farm. However, she says you won't see her raising a market steer. "I grow too attached to them and don't like the thought of them going to slaughter," said Obaugh.
Robert Moyers, the exhibitor of this year's champion market hog, says he and his brother Charlie will show hogs again. They keep a sow at the farm and they will show her hogs next year. He says he will downsize this year, choosing to show a feeder steer instead of a market steer. His market steer this year was "hard to manage" and he hopes a feeder steer will be easier to handle, he said. The Moyers brothers will also show sheep in 2008.
At a fair livestock show planning session earlier this month, 4- H and FFA exhibitors addressed changes they'd like to see made for next year's fair. While most were satisfied with the process, several proposals were made to the fair livestock committee chaired by 4- H Extension Agent Christine Hodges and FFA Advisor Steve Heavner. Several youth suggested the show be split into two days over a concern that exhibitors showing multiple animals are exhausted from one 12- 15-hour day of preparing and showing their animals. Hodges, Heavner, and other leaders said this issue has been discussed in previous years but that a change would require significant adjustments to the fair schedule and the expense of a livestock judge for two days. Other exhibitor suggestions included: establishing a schedule for general barn cleanup; encouraging exhibitors to wear proper show attire; and holding a preliminary weigh-in and tagging day for livestock in late July or early August. Suggestions approved by the livestock committee will be forwarded to the Highland County Fair Association for consideration.
Four-H members or other youth in Highland County who are interested in starting a 4-H animal project should contact the Highland County Extension Office at 468-2225. The enrollment deadline for those planning to show livestock at the 2008 Highland County Fair is Dec. 1.
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