Exhibitors working hard with livestock

By Kay King Special to The Item

HUNTSVILLE — As you know it is time for the annual Walker County Fair and Rodeo, so get your calendars out and make a list of the events you won’t want to miss.

There are so many things to see and do at the fair, but the livestock shows are a huge highlight of the fair  Animals of all shapes, sizes and colors will be shown, displayed and auctioned at the 32nd Walker County Fair.   

Walker County 4-H and FFA members have been diligently working with their livestock all year getting ready for their chance to show at the fair. 

Raising and showing the various livestock projects such as rabbits, broilers (chickens), barrows (pigs), lambs (sheep), steers, goats or commercial heifers allows for family members to work together teaching exhibitors responsibility, leadership and helping to develop a strong work ethic.

 Opening the livestock shows for the 2010 Fair will be the meat goat show, which takes place March 28 at 6 p.m.  This year 48 4-H and FFA students tagged in animals to compete in five weight classes for the chance to be named grand champion, reserve champion  and Best in Class. 

Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate how well they “exhibit” their animals as they compete for grand and reserve champion buckles in Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Showmanship categories.

This year’s exhibitors are  Delaney Allen, Mackenzie Allen, Alyson Bullard, Cassidy Bullard, Baylee Burton, Clay Busa, Abby Christian, Wade Coleman, Jarrett Conner, Ja’Quavian Curtis, Jace Deveney, Timmy Douga, Tommy Douga, Sierra Hartman, Taylore Hartman, Colten Horne, Jami Horne, Preston Humphreys, Q. Jenkins, Jenna Jett, Rebecca Kilgore, Kaci King, Kori King, Sarah Lane, Shelby Lepley, Anna Lynch, Clint Morrison, Dylan Morrison, James Nash, Garrett Nelson, Morgan Nettuno, Molly Nichols, Peyton Oliver, Chase Pacher, Paige Pacher, Brennen Rushing, Chance Rushing, Kaleigh Simental, Kristen Soria, Nicholas Soria, Markayla Spivey, Lauren Terpstra, Samantha Tolbert, Cheyane Widner, Luke Yargo, and Jake Young.

This year’s contest would not be possible without the support of the goat club sponsors.

We appreciate the following businesses for their continued contributions toward the purchase of exhibitor buckles, ribbons, and other awards:  Capital Farm Credit, Brannan’s Inc., King’s Kelpies, McKenzie’s BBQ, Uni-fab, Higher One-Bearkat One Card, Schlotzsky’s, Freeway Liquor, Wiesner –Huntsville, Dr. Paul Kooi, Billings Farm, and Bank of America.

Should you have any questions about the Goat Show, please feel free to contact one of the following members:  Jackie Nichols, Debbie Nichols, Wayne Young, Larry King, Jeff Brown, Bobby Nelson, Melinda Nelson or Mike Yargo. 

Choosing rabbits as a project is one of the most challenging projects in the fair. 

Each exhibitor must own their breeding stock by a specified date; breed them during a specified 10-day period then approximately thirty days later the bunnies should arrive. 

One challenge that rabbit exhibitors face is  rabbits normally breed in the Spring and Summer, so it is not always an easy task getting them bred in December. 

Secondly, these babies (called kits) are born during some of the coldest weather we have in the last 10 days or so of January, posing many problems. 

The kits are born hairless until they are 10-12 days old and can die very quickly from exposure.  Precautions must be taken to help prevent loss of babies. 

Over the next two months the babies are taken care of in manner to produce the best possible pen for show.  Their meat pen is selected primarily on four important criteria. 

The three fryers that are 1) closest in weight; 2) most similar in body type; 3) have the best flesh condition; and 4) best quality of fur will be selected for show. 

Uniformity is key in selecting their meat pen.  The fryers must each weigh a minimum of 3 pounds but cannot weigh over 5 pounds each.  It is easy to pick out one beautiful rabbit but it quite another challenge to pick out 3 fryers that are like “carbon copies.”

This year 60 exhibitors will show with hopes of having the Grand Champion Rabbit. Anxiously awaiting their day at the fair are:  Koby Adams, Kolton Adams, Kaitlin Alba, Whitney Anderson,  Serra Bauer, Megan Billnoske, Nicole Billnoske, Trista Bryant, Alyssa Burleyson, Jamie Burleyson, Melanie Burleyson, Christian Bush, Teyah Bush, Hoke Byrd, Morgan Byrd, Brittney Cannalito, Kayla Cannalito, Cody Cannon,  Colton Cauthen,  Heather Coburn, Ellyse Collins, Ashley Cooksey, Callie Doyle, Trip Doyle, Korbin Fagan, Ricky Fairchild, Robbi Flack, Rebecca Foster, Daniel Freeman, Marquia Hawthorne, Makayla Hay, Peyton Irwin, Kyle Johnson,  Cahill Kolb, Gracie Koonce,  Sarah Lane, CJ Langley, Kevin McGilberry, Kyle McGilberry, Chetora McGowan, Patrick Majors, Tyler Malak, Allison Meinecke, Dax Reddoch, Taylor Reddoch, Chelsea Ringo, Lillian Roark, Robert Slott, Ryan Slott, Ja’Miya Smith, Jason Straughter, Moesha Straughter, JaQuarian Thompkins, Cyerra Williams, Halston Williams and Riley Williams, Jasmine Williford, Cody Winston, and Lauren Worley.

Following the meat pen class, exhibitors may compete for awards in the single breeder rabbit show and jackpot fryer competition. 

In the single breeder rabbit show, commercial breeds such as the Californian and New Zealand breeds are shown. These are the two most common breed of rabbits shown in the youth county fairs. 

In addition to the commercial breeds, there is also a “Fancy” class of rabbits which for purposes of our show, includes all other exotic breeds of rabbits such as Mini-Lops, Dutch, Polish, Mini-Rex and many others. 

Following this competition, there is the showmanship class in which participants must demonstrate to the judge how to properly handle their rabbits and answer a multitude of questions regarding breed characteristics, anatomy and various other questions pertaining to raising rabbits. 

Continuing our efforts from the last few years, the rabbit division is still trying to raise funds to purchase a storage container or building to store all of their show equipment in on the fairgrounds. 

We are still seeking additional sponsors and donors to be able to purchase a storage container.  If anyone would like to become a corporate sponsor or make a donation to assist with this project, please contact Karen Caldwell at (936) 662-6471 or any one of the committee members. 

A big thank you goes out to Walker County Feed — Jake Dixon, Homes of Huntsville, Frank & Debbie Roberts of Roberts Appraisal, JR Brent and RaeLynn Ringo for their continued support as sponsors of the Walker County Fair Rabbit Show. 

The committee members this year are  Karen Caldwell, Chair, Steven Billnoske, Joey Burleyson, Ralene Curtis, Rhonda Fairchild, John Malak, Ignatius Slott, and Lance Williams. 

The Walker County Fair is only possible due to the numerous volunteers, who donate their time, energy, and efforts to support the youth of Walker County. 

A big thank you to all the committee members and sponsors for helping support the youth of our community.

We hope to see you all at the 32nd Walker County Fair and Rodeo with the theme “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams”  March 26 through April 3. 

For more information visit us online at  www.walkercountyfair.com









One of the most anticipated shows of the fair is the Market Steer Show with over 30 entries for the 2010 show. 

Many exhibitors choose to raise and show market steers because they see it as a challenging, but rewarding experience.  Steers are weighed in on the next to last Saturday of October and fed until the official weigh in March 29 from 4-7 p.m. 

This year’s Market Steer Show will be held March 31 at 6 p.m.

The steers will be classified in one of two breed divisions.  The first being American Breeds including Brahman, Beefmaster, Brangus, or Santa Gertrudis and second European Breeds such as Charlois, Chianina, Limosin, and Simmental. 

Each steer is required to gain at least 2 pounds per head per day during the feeding period.  The exhibitor who has the steer that gains the most weight during the designated feeding period will be rewarded with a weight gain trophy and $250 cash. 

Not only are the animals themselves judged but so are the exhibitors as they compete for the Champion and Reserve Showman. 

Junior (ages 8-13) and Senior ( ages 14 and over) Showmanship classes will be offered and belt buckles presented to the Grand and Reserve Showman of each division. We encourage everyone to come out to the Walker County Fair and Rodeo and watch the youth of Walker County show their market steers!

This year’s 2010 Walker County Steer committee is co-chaired by Darrell Dyer and Shawn Blair.

Other committee members include Toby Dyer, Terry Giese, John Hardy, Lindsay Hardy, Johnnie Walker, Tom Pierce, Bill Tutor, Danny Beverly, Brenda Dyer and Rhonda Blair.

Please contact Darrell Dyer (936) 291-2375 or Shawn Blair (936) 291-6526 with any questions.

Warm up for the steer show by watching the Commercial heifer show a little earlier in the day on March 31.

 The Walker County Fair Junior Commercial Heifer exhibitors will be showing some great heifers when the judging begins March 31 at 1:30 p.m.  This class is different from many of the other show animals. 

The Commercial Heifers are raised for replacement cows and turned out to pasture.  Also, the heifers are shown as a pen of three and are not halter broken.  The three heifers are judged on uniformity and good breeding characteristics. 

Judges are looking for heifers which will breed, produce calves, have a good disposition and possess quality traits, which will be passed along to their offspring. 

The heifers will be approximately 13 to 15 months old at the time of the fair.  Angus, Brangus, F1’s, and crossbreed heifers are just a few of the different breeds that will be exhibited.

This year there will be 20 pens of heifers. 

With three heifers to each pen, this provides the cattlemen of Walker and surrounding counties the ability to purchase 60 head of cattle for their herd while helping the youth of Walker County. 

Participants are also judged on their knowledge ability of the cattle’s breeding, feeding, care, and cost of the project. 

Exhibitors showing heifers this year include:   Brandon Cotton, McKayla Currier, Brice Davis, Dalton Davis, Sarah Fry, Kathryn Giese, Hanna Hendricks, Tara Matcalf, Jacob Miller, Logan Mizell, Cole Pascal, Josh Rollins, Logan Slaughter, Rob Slott, Ryan Slott,  Murphy Smith, Marlen Spivey,  Kallie Winfrey, Kelsie Winfey,  and Julie Yates.

The Commercial Heifer program is supported by the committee, which includes Colt Christian as chair, Ann Christian, Robert  Hanks, Steve Hill, Sam Walker, and Clint Walters. 

The donors who present belt buckles or cash awards include:  Kelsey and Colt Christian  Shiro Feed and Fertilizer, Highland Ranch, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Yates, Rachael Cockcroft, Ann Christian and Bryon Gardner. 

The Commercial Heifer Committee would like to thank the donors for supporting the youth of Walker County.

The top 15 animals of each livestock category will be eligible to sell at the WCFA Premium Auction, which will be held April 1 at 7 p.m. in the Main Building. 

Those exhibitors whose animal did not make the top 15 will have an opportunity to sell their animals in the Freezer Sale on April 3.  The Premium Livestock Sale and Freezer Sale is open to the public. 

All interested buyers are invited to attend.  Buyer Groups will be available for those wishing to contribute to group buying.    

The Walker County Fair is only possible due to the numerous volunteers, who donate their time, energy, and efforts to support the youth of Walker County. 

A big thank you to all the committee members and sponsors for helping support the youth of our community.

We hope to see you all at the 32nd Walker County Fair and Rodeo with the theme “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams”  March 26 through April 3. 

For more information visit us online at  www.walkercountyfair.com

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