County Fair Livestock Project Prep letter

 

Kaufman County Livestock Show Prep

Weigh-In: For Junior Livestock youth, the fair kicks off with weigh-in. Each species has a specified time to be weighed in, which is noted on the Livestock Show Schedule also attached to this newsletter. Make sure to carefully review the requirements for weigh-in. Typically, your animal will need to be washed and dried at weigh-in. You will lead your animal across the scale and officials will record its weight.

            Tuesday, March 2 – 6:30 pm - Market Lambs – In Place and Weigh In Starts

            Wednesday, March 3 – 3:00 pm – In Place Deadline - Market Swine, Market Steers, Market Goats

            Wednesday, March 3 – 3:00 pm – Market Swine Weigh In

                                                         - 5:00 pm – Market Goats Weigh In

                                                - 7:00 pm – Market Steer Weigh In

 Minimum Weights: Each species will have a minimum weight requirement to be eligible to be exhibited in a market class. These minimum weights are generally listed in the fair catalog. Although it is disappointing if your project animal does not meet the minimum weight requirement, in many counties this does not mean you cannot exhibit in the fair.

·      No steer may be sold in the auction unless they weigh 900 lbs. or over at entry weighing time.

·      Market hogs must weigh between 220 and 280 lbs. at weigh in to be eligible for the sale.

·      Market Lambs will weigh 80 lbs. at weigh-in

·      Market Goats must weigh 65lbs. or over at weigh in to be eligible for the sale.

A weight pay limit on all auction and floored animals and non-sale animals has been established. This means the floor pay out stops at these weights.

Top pay limits: • Hogs – 280 lbs • Steers – 1300 lbs • Lambs – 165 lbs • Goats – 110 lbs

 Set Up for the Fair: Your club will be assigned a stall or pen area for your animals. The number of stalls or pens your club is assigned depends on the number of animals you are exhibiting. Space allocated each year depends on the overall number of animals in the fair. Prior to the fair, check with your county extension agent or livestock superintendent to find out the size and type of pens that will be used for your species, availability of automatic waterers, and whether shavings will be provided.

 Displays: Most counties allow you to display a banner in your stall or pen area. It is common to include the following information: club name, animal’s name, exhibitor’s name, weight, and breed. Make sure to thank and recognize your sponsors and boosters. You will need to bring all the supplies for your club display, as well as the materials needed to hang it. Zip ties, wire, rope, etc., are commonly used. Make sure the banner is hung securely and is safely out of your animal’s reach.

Do your part to be a great ambassador of the 4-H Livestock Projects by following these guidelines:

• Keep your animal fed, watered, and comfortable throughout the fair. Check on your animal regularly.

• Keep your area clean at all times.

• Keep the aisles open so people can walk through the barns and see the animals.

• Answer questions graciously.

• Be on your best behavior. You reflect on everyone in 4-H and FFA.

But another benefit is the County Fair Board awards Herdsmanship Awards to those that keep good displays.  Work Together to represent 4-H and your project area.

 Supplies: A successful experience at the fair requires having the right supplies. Following are some things you will most likely need.

• Bedding—You will need shavings, straw, or other bedding for your animal.

• Broom—Keep your assigned area and walkways neat.

• Feed—Your animal will need feed throughout the fair. Flies can be a problem, so bring feed in an enclosed container. Do not forget to bring feed and water containers.

• Bucket—You will need a bucket to haul fresh water to your animal (unless automatic waterers are installed).

• Chairs—You will spend a lot of time in the barn area, so you may want to bring chairs. Remember to keep the aisle area open for fair guests at all times.

• Fans—Many exhibitors bring a portable fan to help keep their animal cool. Check the policy for your fair. You will need to bring an extension cord for your fan and connectors to hang or mount it safely.

• Grooming Supplies—Make sure to bring a hose, grooming brushes, soap, spray bottles, etc., normally used to wash and groom your animal. Many sheep/goat exhibitors put blankets or tubes on their lambs/goats to keep them clean.

• Grooming Stands or Chutes—Your animal should come to the fair already clipped or shorn, however minor fitting will be needed to get your animal show-ready.

• Show Equipment—You will need a halter, show stick, comb, whip, or other show equipment.

• Show Attire—Most shows have specific dress code for exhibitors. Check the requirements for your county. 4-H members are often required to wear a 4-H patch on their left arm while exhibiting.

• Rake or Shovel—You will need to remove droppings and soiled shavings from your animal’s pen area frequently. Stalls and pens need to be maintained throughout the fair. This will also help reduce flies in the barn area.

• Wheel Barrow—You will need to haul droppings and soiled shavings from the barn to the designated waste area.

Showing: There are two types of shows in which you can exhibit—showmanship and market classes. In showmanship classes, the judge is evaluating your skills in fitting and showing your animal, rather than just the quality of your animal. In market classes, the judge is evaluating your animal. Of course, a good show person will ensure his or her animal is shown to its best potential in the market class, helping the animal place as high in the market class as possible. 

• Showmanship Classes: These classes are typically divided by grade divisions. . Showmanship will be offered in Steer, Breeding Beef, Swine, Sheep, Market Goats, Dairy Goats, Rabbits and Ag Mech (shop). Classes will be divided into the following categories:

Peewee Division- Ages up to 8 years old

Junior-Grades 3,4, &5

Intermediate-Grades 6,7, &8

Senior-Grades 9,10,1

For the county show it is $5.00 “at the gate” except for Pee Wee Division. Participants must have exhibited an entry in the species to participate in the showmanship contest (except for Peewee Division)

• Market Classes: Once all the animals have been weighed, they will be grouped into different classes based upon weight. Classes will be posted prior to the market show.

• Breeding Shows: If your project animal did not weigh enough to show in a market class, you may have an opportunity to exhibit in the feeder class. Check the regulations in your county.

 

Junior Livestock Auction: The steer, market lambs, swine, market goats, broilers and rabbit meat pens projects at the county fair will be eligibility sold at auction at the conclusion of the fair. You will need to secure buyers to purchase your project animals and show their support for livestock youth.  

If you make the auction you need to be prepared to help with sale set up Saturday morning at 10 am. IF you do not help or have someone sign in to help in your stead your auction check will be with held and money deducted.

Preparing for the Auction: All market animals that qualify for auction will be sold on Saturday at the conclusion of the fair. You will wash and prepare your animal just as you did for the show. You will follow the same dress code as for the show. 

Sale Order: Each exhibitor will go through the auction in a certain order, which is typically based upon how your animal placed in the market class. The sale order will be posted prior to the auction. Staff and volunteers will assist you in lining up in the correct order. You must go through the auction in the correct order, so be prepared and ready to line up. 

Sale Method: During the auction, your market animal will be sold. Some auctions sell the animal by the pound; others sell the animal by the head. You will want to make sure your potential buyers understand the procedure in your county. The person who buys your market animal generally has the choice of flooring the animal (FLOOR), having the animal processed for their own use (KEEP) or to give back to the exhibitor (GIVE BACK) which then the exhibitor can either keep the project or floor it themselves with is a separate check back to them from the sale.

1. Flooring the animal (FLOOR). If your buyer does not want to keep the animal they purchase, they can floor the animal and pay only the difference between the final bid price and the established (floor) market price. The floor price is set prior to the sale and is based upon current market prices. For example, if the buyer bids $2 per pound for a 250 pound hog (250 lbs x $2/lb = $500) and the floor price is 65 cents per pound (250 lbs x .65/lb = $162.50), the buyer will actually pay $337.50 and the packer will pay $162.50; the packer will take the animal.

2. Having the animal processed for their own use (KEEP). The buyer will pay the full bid price, plus the cost of processing the animal. The buyer will receive the animal. 

3. Give Back to the Exhibitor. (GIVE BACK). The buyer will pay the full price without the benefit of the floor price deduction.

Sales Fee: Each fair will assess a small fee, generally a percentage of the final price, to pay for the expenses, premiums, and awards associated with the Junior Livestock program. This amount will be deducted from the check received for the sale of your animal.

After the County Fair if you made the County Auction, you will prepare a thank you letter for your buyer.  Before you can get your auction check you will need to pick up the photo that the fair board provides, along with the thank you letter. We have a signature form that you will need to hand back into the office and then your check can be received when they get delivered to the office.

If you have any questions or need help prepping for the county fair, Contact Carrie Sharp, Kaufman County 4-H and Youth Development County Agent at cl-sharp@tamu.edu or the extension office.