Getting Ready for the Fair

The sound of clucking, snorting, and even a moo or two could be heard thought the livestock building at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fairgrounds. No it isn't fair time but it is time for our 4-H youth to start getting ready for the 2009 Livestock shows.
Part of getting ready is learning how to properly take care of their animals and that is what Saturday was all about. On hand we had Some really beautiful chickens, a really sweet rabbit, and couple of cute little piggies (who have been nicknamed Boston & Butt). The loudest of all was Charlie Brown a large goat who seemed to think he is a horse. Although there was not a cow on site...there was some mooing and leading of heifers ring side (they said they were pretending to be heifers, please do not mistake this for an editorial comment).
Before we played with the animals we got down to business. A brief overview of project records, and bio security started the morning with lessons on how to show and what to wear in the ring following. After the business was out of the way it was time for what everyone wanted...to play with the animals (as we like to say in 4-H children learn best from the hands on approach...or they accidentally learn while playing-on purpose) and that is when we scattered
best for the pictures of the day. Tony and his son Anthony Bullard taught the youth about rabbits. They learned everything from how to pick them up from the neck to how to check for mites in their ears to freezing water bottles as an extra treat for them.
Benjamin Herndon and his father Michael came to teach the youth about poultry. For those who are scared of being pecked by chickens they met Tyler who was gentle and loved being rubbed. They learned about feed, how to show and how to make sure you have the best possible bird for competition.
Tiffanee Conrad-Acuna and Michelle Stumbo from Richmond County drove over to talk about goats. they even brought Tiff's goat Charlie Brown and let the kids learn how to trim hooves, walk him like they would in the show ring, and learn about de-worming. The youth had a great time with him and learned a whole bunch of what it take to show a goat n competition.
Tiff and Michelle also helped out Michelle Shooter, Robeson County's own Livestock Extension Agent, with the heifer workshop. Although our heifer was not able to attend due to sickness, Michelle and Michelle took turns being the heifer to show the youth what they need to do in the ring to be successful. With several youth showing heifers this year, it could be a great year for Robeson County to make it's appearance on the showmanship circuit. We will have to wait and see.
Michelle (Shooter) also brought her pigs Boston and Butt to the livestock building for the youth to see. The six week old piglets brought great enthusiasm from the crowd of kids as they laid there curled up together. Michelle explained that the pigs they would be getting would be larger and need a lot of work to get used to humans and to have them used to being in a show ring. Several youth contemplated showing pigs next year at the fair.
After all the hoopla and learning about the animals it was time to sit down to lunch as one of our 4-H volunteers brought his cooker out to grill hamburgers and hot dogs for this hungry crowd. The youth told their parents all they had learned and a few things they want to do next year and we had a great time. Next event in animal science will be the animal give out. We will keep you up to date as we continue with this project.