Young producers show top livestock

Copper, the 7-month-old Boer cross meat goat, was unfazed by his grand champion title.

However, his owner, Jeana Fosnow, 10, of Windsor, looked every part the winner as she smiled widely and grabbed hold of the ribbon and award.

Jeana joined about 115 other exhibitors, ages 5 to 21, in showing 262 cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats and calves at the Pettis County 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Show. The show began Sunday with the poultry and dairy goat categories and continued Monday in the Swine Pavilion at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Jeana was confident Copper was among the best goats her peers in Pettis County were showing Monday.
“He’s been walking really good,” she said.

The county show marked the conclusion of the youngsters’ livestock projects, some of which started in September, said Kay Sparks, 4-H youth development specialist for the University of Missouri Extension. Livestock projects teach children about the industry, showmanship and management of the costs and responsibility involved with caring for animals, Sparks said.

“They are basically having a small experience of a large producer,” said Katie Estes, an agriculture teacher at Smithton. “It’s a taste of the industry.”

Youngsters washed and combed their animals Monday in preparation for the show ring. Once inside the ring, they readjusted the legs of their animals to achieve a stance that showcased its best features.

Judges examined and ran their hands over the animals to find the best. Parents watched, documenting the event with photos and videos.
Connor Bahner, 11, of Smithton, combed his 1-year-old steer, Steve, before he showed Monday. The livestock show is old hat for Connor, who has participated since he was in the second grade.

Connor started the day every morning since November by feeding, washing, brushing and blow drying Steve. He also worked on gentling Steve. Connor said a calm steer with “a big rear end” is among the keys to showing successfully.

He said he enjoyed participating in the project.

“You have to take care of things and make them look nice,” Connor said.

Jeana cared for Copper similarly, walking the goat up and down her driveway and around her house. She said walking Copper was an important part of the project.

“He’ll lead better in the ring,” making the goat show better, Jeana said.

Copper also was chosen as the best because of his high meat-to-bone ratio and long loins, said Jeana’s father, Jason Fosnow.
Copper, along with all the other grand champion and reserve champion animals, was scheduled to be in the premium livestock auction Monday evening.

Sparks said this is the first premium auction as part of the event in 61 years. Buyers bid on animals, with the sale money going to the young owner, who keeps the animal.

The animals were previously sold by the pound and slaughtered. The premium auction acts as an investment in the youngsters’ interest in livestock, Sparks said.