4-H Fair Readiness Day a success

All four local 4-H clubs turned out to the Sanders County Fairgrounds last Saturday ahead of the 2018 fair to get their barns and grass area ready for the abundance of animals and spectators.

“We have the most steers and heifers here this year at fair than we’ve seen in many years,” said Beef Barn Superintendent Richard Jackson on Saturday. “Our barns are full and the over flow of cattle will be in stalls net to the horse barn.”

Jackson also pointed out that the weekend prior had seen some 4-hers get to the grounds to erect a new hitching rail that is on the inside of the chainlink fence — making it safer for kids and their cattle as they prepare to show during the fair.

“Overall we are looking really good for animal projects this year,” said MSU extension agent Juli Thurston.

“We have around the same number for horses, our cattle numbers are way up, swine numbers a very strong, sheep numbers are down a little but still represented well for this year’s fair,” she added.

As the kids teamed off around all the barns they use, it was all hands on deck with rakes gathering up what was on the ground, while groups of kids were assigned to shoveling shavings into all the stalls that would be used for the fair.

“We have a great turnout here today, I think even some of the kids wrangled their friends into lending a hand even though they aren’t a part of a 4-H group,” Thurston said with a chuckle.

Parents were even out in force as they helped with the removal of ground trash, and setting of panels between the livestock barns.

“We are really happy to have the pavilion back for this year’s fair. We will get in and get it prepped for the 4-H meals today as well as all the other areas we use,” said Thurston.

She also made mention of an exciting new category this year for beef project students.

“We’re excited to have Top Genomic Heifer award added to the program this year. The company Geneseek donated testing to get it all started for this year’s fair,” said Thurston.

She added that the award would be given out after the beef show, and it would not only benefit 4-H beef projects but also has the ability to have positive impact on the beef industry here in Sanders County.

With plenty of great improvements set to welcome 4-Hers and fair-goers alike, the Sanders County 4-H groups are ready to put on some great exhibits for everyone to enjoy at the 2018 Sanders County Fair.