The animals the public buys Aug. 19 at the annual 4-H Show and Sale are locally grown with the most attentive care.
Not only will they be of the highest quality, but every purchase will help build the next generation of ranchers and farmers in our communities.
These young 4-H members have worked hard to raise their animals and deserve the community’s support.
Admittedly, many of the youth find it difficult to let go of their projects, but before you know it they are planning next year’s.
Club members have to help each other during the show and sale if they want a break from the care and supervision of their animals.
Unless there is a situation that could be considered dangerous such as wrestling the four pigs used in the swine judging into the show ring, the kids are on their own.
There are supervisors, judges and club leaders hovering nearby, but the youth are responsible for setting up their displays and taking care of their animals, making sure they are weighed in, groomed, fed, watered and walked if needed.
And reports from one club leader suggest the youth don’t get to participate in the show and sale if they don’t show that they have done the work necessary to sell that animal.
In addition to taking care of their animals they must also keep careful records about what they feed them and their daily care routines.
Long before their animals come to the sale, the 4-Hers have learned through various judging rallies what traits to look for, that will for instance make a good market lamb, beef, or swine project for sale.
During the sale they are tested on this knowledge against the knowledge of an experienced judge.
In the beef ring, for example four animals are brought in and given a standing by the judges of first, second, third and fourth with reasons for their decisions.
Then the 4-H members come in with their own judging cards and place the animals in what they think are the top four positions and list the reasons for the placement on their own judging cards.
The senior members are also required to give oral presentations for the judges on why they placed the animals or projects in the way they did.
Congratulations to all of the 4-H club members. As we observed while touring around the Williams Lake Stockyards, your hard work paid off in spades.
Good luck to all of you in Wednesday's sale, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 with the Parade of Champions.
- Williams Lake Tribune