4–H News: Practising for the fair

By Morgan Haw
4–H Beef Club

The fourth meeting was hosted at McDonald's for our vet presentation. The meeting was called to order and the pledge was recited.
Afterward the minutes from the last meeting were read and passed.
Our leader Murray McDonald then reminded the members about their shift in the food booth, and that if we have not yet arranged a time slot to do so as soon as possible. 4-H tickets were then distributed and recorded.
Next we shared our "Before the next meeting," which was to find bull EPD's. We got a variety of results. And lastly the vet Dr. Maria brought and prepared a slideshow answering questions that were sent to her in advance. All the members were fascinated with the answers and her time spent with us was greatly appreciated. Dr. Maria also showed us how to listen to a cows heart beat and to tell if it is irregular or not, and then the meeting was adjourned.
Our next meeting in July was a 4-H fun day and was hosted at the Haw residence. This event occurs once every year, and allows members to bring their calf to an unknown area and practice their skills as if at the fair.
Our day started bright and early at 8:30, as all the steers arrived and were tied up in the barn. To start, Brent Miller and Murray McDonald showed how to clip our animals hair, while demonstrating on Leroy and Timothy Remple's steers. Kenny Haw then clipped any steers that needed their hooves trimmed.
After that was finished all the members united their steers and led them around the ring. Brent Miller demonstrated how to properly lead, groom, and present yourself and your animal in the ring. Jessica Haw then explained how to reposition your steer by exiting the line up with a figure eight clockwise. Murray and Kenny pretended to be the judges by analyzing the members and their steers. Next, one by one, the members weighed their steers and the weights varied from 1100 pounds to 1500 pounds. All of the steers were then tied back up in the barn and a short meeting took place.
Fair reminders and 4-H draw tickets were the key points. And finally everyone visited and enjoyed a delicious barbecue.