The first Howard County 4-H Livestock Sale took place at the 1964 Howard County Fair, a tradition which continues to this day. And while fairgoers gather the Friday evening of fair week to see what price the auctioneers can coax out of the bidders for the week's prize-winning animals, many in attendance have been working hard since the beginning of the year.

On April 26, Beef Field Day will be held at the Howard County Fairgrounds, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the weigh-in. For many 4-H members, it will be the first time their market beef projects will be weighed since that first Saturday in January when they brought their animals to the fairgrounds to be weighed and tagged.

Along with taking care of their projects, the two 4-H'ers we've been following, Tyler Hough and Jennifer Carroll have been busy with schoolwork and sports.

Tyler also raises pigs, and a big brood keeps him on a steady path between the house and barn to check on his charges, in addition to posting in the mandatory record books.

Jennifer recently took part in a state 4-H Livestock Skillathon. Jennifer's mother, Patty Carroll, explained it is an opportunity to learn something new.

"During the winter months is a good time to attend these programs and learn new practices for dealing with their animals, it teaches the kids new skills or helps them improve on what they already know," she said.

Beef Day will also afford the 4-H'ers many learning opportunities. But as Sheryl Burdett, 4-H Extension educator for Howard County, explained it's not about who wins.

"The premise of Beef Field Day is it's a day to learn, it's a chance for the 4-H'ers to get their animals out and experience what takes place at the shows. It's more laid-back, but it is educational."

During the weigh-in process, members come with registration and health papers showing the animals have been vaccinated and are in good health. At 9 a.m., the Educational Round Robin program begins and is mandatory for all 4-H'ers in attendance.

Participants rotate through learning stations -- one on judging, which teaches what the judges look for at the shows, another booth will feature a vet explaining injections and the timing of shots before selling. Still another will showcase tips for fitting and getting your animal ready for shows.

"Call it haircare," Burdette said. "This class goes beyond just washing off the animal, it teaches the kids how to groom their animals to look the best they can."

Following the lunch break is the big event of the day, the show where 4-H'ers get to show what they know and what they've learned -- a dress rehearsal for the fair.

"The judges will look at each 4-H'ers ability to show, how they control their animals, how they react to whatever comes up" said Carroll, whose youngest son Jacob, 8, will be showing for the first time. "It's a day to get acquainted with what goes on at shows," Carroll noted.

Beef Field Day is not only looked forward to by the current crop of 4-H'ers and their four-legged friends. It's also a time when the adults who grew up in 4-H and are still active in the organization get a chance to pass on their knowledge and guidance when needed.

Ollie Bennett, Burdette's dad, manned the weigh station and recorded the weights in January. He goes way back in 4-H in the county.

"I was in 4-H when I was 9 years-old, said Bennett, who remembers showing his own animals at the fair. "The first fair I went to was at Brendel's (the Manor Park which was the first site of the fair in 1946), where he first showed his animals. Back then there was no crossbreed steers, and it was only a one day affair,"

Bennett's three children, Sheryl and her two brothers, were raised in 4-H and showed animals over a 25-year period.

"It's a good system with good leaders," said Bennett, who continues to help with the weighing.

Mount Airy resident Marge Eller was also at the January weigh-in, helping guide the animals onto the scales. Eller was the first organizational leader for the Howard County Beef Club, which officially began in 1978.

Eller said a lot of extension officers at the time felt it wouldn't last, but she noted the club flourished.

"The kids were mixed up, they learned about each other and worked together. Mickey Day and Dennis Warfield were members at one time. Today the children of those early members are now members. It's a great organization," she said.

For a complete schedule of events for Beef Field Day, go to www.howard4-h.org

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user comments (1)

user milton says...

What good is a "beef field day" without a vistit to the slaughterhouse? I really don't see how 4-H officals can claim to educate children about livestock animals without addressing the slaughter of those animals.

Posted 12:23 PM, 05.05.08

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