Life In The Show Ring!

On May 28^th I enter my steer Fabio and my heifer Lady in the Magic Valley Jr. Classic.

When I go to these shows, I have hopes of winning I guess we all what to win; but I also go for the learning experience. This year the quality of showmanship was out standing, the fitting and groomers were great, and all the cattle were fluff and fabulous.

To those who won Congratulation! You all did an outstanding job.

I knew from the time that Fabio stepped out to the trailer that I was at the Classic for the learning experience; his eyes got big and his head went up.

I had worked with him and all my other steers everyday and in the pen they all behaved great; Fabio does not have a mean bone in is body, but he is a little set in his ways and nerves. It was the noise, the strange environment, and people, that affected him, he just did not what to be there. I even thought about not showing him, but thanks to Mr. Hooper; Fabio did enter the show ring, he did not setup and behaved badly.  Fabio and I lived through it.

The lesson that Fabio learned was that no matter how he acts he would be shown; the lesson I learned is that I can handle my steers even when they act like spoiled fit throwing brats; (you must call your steers bluff).

 Mr. Hooper gave me a tip on how to correct Fabio’s behavior, and with his knowledge and experience with show cattle; I know that I will be able to take the brat out of Fabio. I am going to give it my best effort and we will see what happens at the next show. I am also going to use this tip on all my steers just to be on the safe side.

Check back and I will let you know how it goes and fill you in on the tip after a few weeks.

Fabio has never acted as he did at the Classic; so no matter how calm and well behaved your steers act at home does not mean that they will be that way in a strange environment.

Take your steers to a show or two for the learning experience. Maybe you will even come home with a ribbon or two. 

As for Lady; I did not place but she was very well behaved.

Beef Cattle and the Quest for Knowledge (Beef Production Medicine and Management)

I love to read;  everyone who has visited my blog knows that I truly believe that knowledge is power.

While on this quest for knowledge; last week I had a book dropped in my lap that I have not put down.

The title of this book is BEEF Production Medicine and Management; in section A; you can read about Anatomy, Biosecurity, Body condition Scoring, Nutrition, Normal ranges for temperature, heart and resporatory rates, showing junior livestock, prescription and non-prescription drug guidelines and the list goes on this is just section A.
Section B - Routine Observation and Procedures.
Section C - Vaccines and Parasite Control Products.
Section D - Tests and Diagnostics.
Section E - Flowcharts for Specific Symptoms.
Section F - Infectious Diseases, Problems and Treatment.

If you are in 4-H, FFA, or a cattle producer this is a book you should own. I have to return this one soon, but I have order my own and it will be here soon.

this book is a Animal Health Publications  you can order it on line or call 1-877-424-7838.

There is also manuals for;
Dogs and Cats
Horses
Sheep and Goats
Beef and Dairy

I think the next one that I will get will be the one for Horses. before I am done I hope to own all of them because my animal never seem to get sick on a week days.

Follow the links and check it out for yourself; KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

The Old Pioneer Cemetery (Teen Leadership Community Service Project)

Idaho is a filled with history; some of the early Pioneers are quite famous and will live forever in history books. My community service project is not about the famous pioneers; it is about the many men, women, and children who left their homes, and died in the process of building our State.

Picking a community service project is never an easy task; so when I decided to organize one for my 4-H teen leadership project, the biggest fears I had was what if no one shows up to help, the out of pocket expense, and completing it in a timely fashion.  

I would like to say that I thought of this project on my own; but that would not be true. The Old Pioneer Cemetery in Hagerman Idaho was written about last year in a local News Paper and it was one of the community service projects that my 4-H leader ( Helen Ruby) but on the table for my club (Hodge Podgers 4-H club) to do in 2010.  

Before I started I went to the Old Pioneer Cemetery and took a look to see what needed to be done; there was downed trees, weeds, and all that was needed was tender loving care .These are the before pictures

This was a Project that if no one show up to help that my club could do alone and if needed I could do myself.

 I had to get permission to do the work, the phone calls started, first I called the City of Hagerman; and got the OK. The planing stated; completion date for this project was April 30th 2011. After talking to Mac he agreed to have it mowed for me. The mowing was a big help it was really over grown( thanks Mac). Now I needed permission from my County 4-H office to get donations to keep expenses down; once I got the OK and papers needed from Marie; and had all my ducks and paper work in a row. 

I presented the project to the Hodge Podgers 4-H club on March 27th 2011 as the club community service project it was voted in

In the weeks before the completion date I needed supplies, weed killer, flowers, drinks and food for all who volunteered. 

My first stop was D&B Supply in Jerome; for weed killer. D&B donated the Round-up and 24 native perennials. Time was a factor with the Roundup so I went from D&B right to the Old Pioneer Cemetery to spay the weeds along the fence line and under  the sign where the flowers were to be planted.

 In the days that lead up to the completion of this project; Plants were donated also by The Valley Country Store in Jerome, and Kelley Garden Center Twin Falls.

When the work was all none My volunteers enjoyed Coke, water and Pizza

The Drinks were donated my Swire CoCa-Cola in Twin Falls, and the Pizza was supplied by PaPa Kelsey's in Hagerman.

Raking up all the dead weeds

I would like to Thank D&B Supply in Jerome,Valley Country Store in Jerome,Kelley Garden Center in Twin Falls, Swire CoCa-Cola in Twin Falls, and PaPa Kelseys In Hagerman for all your help and support with this project.  Your generous donations made this project a success;
THANK YOU.

Clearing out the old dead trees.

clearing dead trees

Planting flowers

Planting flowers

almost done planting all the flowers

getting water for all the plants

Project is complete

Also I would like to thank all who came out to help and my 4-H Leader Helen Ruby, and all the Parents who gave up their time to help.
Also like to thank Hannah for bring the chocolate chip cookies

after all the work was done

I will make use to water these plants

A CoCa-Cola and cookie break

Thanks for the Coke and Pizza

2nd Annual CSI Livestock Judging Contest

The 2nd Annuals CSI Livestock Judging Contest held April 6th 2011 was the best ever. Teams came from Montana, Orgeon, Navada, and Idaho, all the teams did a great job.

 The Team that out shined all the others was the Montana's Big Timmber 4-H team.

 I will post all the winning teams when I get a copy of the score sheets.
For now here are some pictures of the event.

Sign-in

CSI Judging Team working the sign-in desk

1st place junior 4-H team

2nd place junior team

Meet my 2011 Steers

 Well it is still raining here and it seems that the mud just keeps getting deeper. Just the other day we had wind, rain, snow, freezing rain and by the end of the day we had blue sky's and sunshine. Maybe that is the first sign of spring.

Weigh-in for my county has come and gone so here is a look at my 2011 Market Beef Project .

 My steer for 2011 are all different weights and frame styles this year; I am hoping that they don't all fall into the same weight class when our Fair rolls around.

As you can see all three are a little muddy; but they are healthy, happy, and they love to eat.
When the rain stops my steers will get their first bath, I am hoping it will be this weekend. So for now I just wait.

Just a reminder; with wet cold and changing weather that in a blink of an eye your animals can get sick so keep a close eye on them and watch for illness.

How is The Weather!

   Well how is your Winter going? I sure do wish Spring would get here.
    My Steers are leading now. If it would warm up  and melt all the snow and ice; I would be working on my show-ring skill and setting them up.
    I hope all of you are getting a break from the snow storms and will be getting some nice sunshine soon.
    Just six more week of winter I hope; stay warm and pray for Sunshine.

Sounds like fun

Pacific Northwest Young Cattlemen Conference

 January 21, 2011 – Starts in Pendleton, OR & ends in LaGrande, OR

 

All those “young at heart” are invited to participate, so there are no age limitations.  The conference is a great opportunity for younger members that are back on a family ranch or are considering starting their own operation as well as members who might still be in college who are considering going back to a ranch or looking for a job within the cattle industry.  The PNW YCC is a chance to look at the cattle business from many different perspectives and hear from true movers and shakers who are helping to direct the future of our industry.

Click here to register and more information.