Dear membership with large 4-H livestock projects, (cattle,
sheep, hogs, goats)
As you prepare for the Rockwall Youth Fair, there are a
couple of things you will want to keep in mind.
·
You will want to make sure that you and your
animal feel secure in the surroundings. One method of doing this is to
get your animal to other livestock shows so the nervousness wears off.
There are a couple coming up in which you may want to participate.
·
Feeding - Be
prepared to feed through the show, not just to the show. You want your
animals looking their best. Have enough feed that you can adjust the last
few days leading up to the show. Plan ahead to have more than
enough. It could make a big difference in the pay off at the end.
·
Clipping in preparation
for the Show. The Extension Office has a couple of small dual
speed andis clippers available for checkout. (Clippers will be 5$ to checkout.
Funds will be used to replace blades and oil) To do so you will
need to call the office and get on the calendar. We have many 4-H
projects and scheduling may become tight. They may be checked out for two
days at a time. When finished they need to return to the office for the
next pickup. Do not pass them along to another person. Todd will
try to check the clippers each time to make sure they are in working order
prior to being checked out. Clippers need to be cleaned and oiled
properly before checking them back in to the office. If you have your own
blades, feel free to use them as you are more comfortable with your own
equipment.
·
Clipping with Todd's
assistance. If you need Todd to assist you in clipping he has set
up spring break to begin prepping animals for the show. He has scheduling
available until March 28th. Call as soon as possible to make arrangements
to get on his calendar. Location may be flexible. One parent and the
4-Her will need to be on hand to learn the process. Everyone will do some
part of the animal. Block out 2 hours per animal. Weekday
afternoons may be preferable to Saturdays. No Sunday scheduling
available. (Animals need to be clean and dried prior to
Todd showing up to clip)
·
Scheduling gets tight the week of the
show. Todd's availability is very limited with no big pockets of time to
clip. Clippers may or may not still be available.
·
Know the show rules.
Each show is different. You can locate the show rules at: http://www.orgsites.com/tx/rockwallyouthfair/
under Rules for Competition. Download them to your smart phone.
·
Time of Show is only good for the first specie
showing. Everything else hinges off of that. So you need to be
prepared.
It is going to be AWESOME! We have great
families participating. I hope that you can look back and say with an
enthusiastic YES when I ask you if the family has grown together because
of this experience. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate
to call. Some we can answer at the Extension Office. Some may need
to be directed to the Youth Fair Board. Please remember the Youth Fair
Board is made up of volunteers who want to showcase Agriculture and
youth. They are working their hardest to help you showcase your efforts.
Thank them for that when you get the chance.
