Fair Is Almost Over!

Today is the last day of fair. My family and I are going camping today to take my mind off George. Its been a good year and I cant wait till I buy my next lamb so I can take my lamb on walks again. Thanks to all the people who read my blog this year and gave me support. Also I want to thank the people who raised the price by bidding I’m very happy with what I got. Goodbye George.

Junior Livestock Auction

Yesterday I sold my lamb for $7.00 a lb. and he weighed 141lbs. So yesterday I made about a thousand big ones. Thanks to whoever added on the $100. I’m saving that towards feed for next year. Chaparral Business Machines purchased my lamb yesterday and I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Cagliero who own the business.

Sheep Showmanship

I participated in Sheep Showmanship today. I did not place which really bummed me out because of all the practice and hard work George and I did. Mom and Dad said I should be proud of what I've done and that my effort is what matters. George and I will see you at the Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday.

Market Lamb Show

Today, (July 27, 2010) George and I showed in the Market Lamb Show. George didn’t place. It was a big class, and the judge seemed to be looking for lambs that had a lot of Hampshire qualities and George is exhibiting a lot of Suffolk features. He was the tallest one in our class. The judge said that he liked George’s loin and side cuts. I was kind of bummed, but you never know what a judge is going to prefer in a lamb and I still get to participate in the Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday. Thursday, I will be showing in Sheep Showmanship where the judge will be looking for my showmanship abilities.

Offical Weigh In

Today (July 26th) was a busy day. We arrived at the fair at 7:00am and fed our lambs and cleaned their pens. We then had to wait about three hours until our group was called to officially weigh our lambs in. George weighed 141 lbs. We meet back again at 3:30 and washed and sheared our lambs. I fed George and then we finally went home around 7:00pm. I’m tired but back to the fair tomorrow at 6:30 am for Market Showmanship.

Quiz Jam

Last night, July 25th, I participated in the Farm Supply annual Quiz Jam. It is a competition to see what team of 4-H and FFA kids can complete a series of tasks found on a farm the fastest. This years completion included, saddling and placing a halter on a horse, giving an injection, put in an ear tag, and castrating a pretend bull, changing a tractor tire and identifying parts, moving four bales of straw, roping a steer head, and identifying tools and various animals. It was kind of fun, but the wait was long. We did fine, and I think I would like to do it again next year.

The Fair Is Here!

George and I are at the California Mid-State Fair. Come look at him in the lamb barn. We are located at the far right hand side of the barns near the main grandstand. Look for Templeton 4-H Club. George is in the only pen with three lambs. Hope to see you there!

Getting Ready For The Fair

Tonight, July 23rd 2010, we washed and sheared George at our leader’s house. He weighed 147 which is a 5lb drop since last week. Tomorrow morning we are meeting at our leader’s house to take the lambs into the fair. We will be getting George settled in and decorating our pens. I am excited, but nervous.

Sheep Meeting

On Friday July, 16th we had a sheep meeting. We weighed George and he was 152lbs. His weight gain in one week was 16lbs. After that we practiced showmanship and I did well. I’ve continued to walk George two miles everyday.

Achievment Night

On Wednesday July, 14 I went to Achievement Night and I got my bronze star and a gold seal on my record book. We donated items to American soldiers in the Middle East because there are sandstorms that cause big problems. We donated plastic zip bags to protect their possessions from sand. We also donated Swiffer Sweeper wipes to keep their atmosphere sanitized.

Sheep Buyer's Letter

Today, my mom and I went around Templeton, Paso Robles, and Atascadero handing buyer’s letters to businesses. If you are a potential buyer thank you for visiting my blog I hope you enjoy it. For information on how to become a buyer contact Joanne Switzer, Livestock Superintendent at the California Mid-State Fair at 805-239-0655. Buyers receive free entry for the day and free lunch. Thank you to the local businesses for letting me present my buyers package to you, and supporting our local 4-H groups.

Sheep Weigh In

On Wednesday, July 7th, George and I went to my sheep leader’s house to weigh in. George weighed 136 lbs. so that means he gained 13 lbs. in a month. My leader said that George “looked good” and was tall. I think he was impressed.

4-H Record Book

I just finished my record book. I’m so glad I finished it because now I don’t have to spend hours on working on it anymore. In a record book you have to do your 4-H story, Personal Development Report (PDR), and market forms. In the personal development report I tell about myself and what I have learned in 4-H. The Market Form is where I record all my expenses and time spent with my animal. In My 4-H Story I write an essay about my experiences in 4-H and how it has influenced me. This year I am also including a paper copy of my blog to include in my report. It is a very time consuming process, but I like seeing the dollar figures. I now know how much I need to make at auction in order to break even or make a profit with my lamb. It is good practice for when I get older and balancing my finances. I think I did a really good job and I should get my bronze star this year.

San Luis Obispo County 4-H Field Day

On Saturday, June 12th I went to San Luis Obispo County Field Day at the Mid State Fair. It is an annual 4-H event that is good practice for the real fair that is just over a month away. I participated in showmanship with 36 kids including myself. I got 4th place and took level testing for sheep. Field Day was long and exhausting but I think it was a good experience. After field day we sprayed our lambs for fungus.

Sheep Shearing

On Friday, June 11th before field day, I washed my lamb. Then I took him on a walk to dry him off so he didn’t get chilled. I closed off a clean space in the lamb’s pen, and filled it with shavings so he would stay clean for field day. I sheared George with beef clippers. It gave him a clean close shear. I think he looked good.

Templeton 4-H Sheep Meeting

On Tuesday, June 8th we met at my sheep leaders home for a meeting. We weighed our lambs. George weighed 123 lbs that is a 20 lb gain since our last weigh-in. We also practiced showmanship. I realized that I put my hand on my lambs back a lot and it is a habit I need to break. I think that I should work on bracing my lamb more. It will show the judge his muscle development.

Fundraiser Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Templeton 4-H Sheep Group Scentsy Fundraiser has been extended to June 18th, 2010.

Templeton 4-H Sheep Group Fundraiser

The Templeton 4-H Sheep Group is having a Scentsy fundraiser. 20% of all purchases made through the following link will be donated to the group. https://jaccim.scentsy.us/Buy?partyId=2601124 Thanks for looking. Fundraiser ends June 10th 2010.

Transportation

Last year my mom and I made a transportation cage for my last lamb. It fit in the truck bed of my mom’s Ford F150 Super Crew Short bed. We made it out of galvanized threaded steel piping, and it is collapsible. We attached hog wire to the rectangular frame we built out of piping. The expense of the project was totaled about seventy dollars.

Sheep Meeting

Friday night was the first meeting where you are supposed to bring your lamb. When I showed up for the meeting most people were shocked at the size of my lamb and asked how old my lamb was. I told them that my lamb was born on January 28, 2010 which is approximately the same age as everyone else’s lamb. We then had to take our 60 day pictures which included photographs of our lambs front, side and rear view. These pictures are submitted along with our fair entries. We wormed our lambs, weighed them (George weighed 103 pounds), filled out paper for the fair, and got packets for our next fundraiser.

4-H Emblem, Pledge and Creed

The 4-H Emblem:
The 4-H Emblem is a four-leaf clover with the letter "H" in each leaf. The four H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health. The leaves of the clover are green and the H's are white.

The 4-H Pledge Says:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

The 4-H Creed Says:
I believe in 4-H work for the opportunity it gives me to become a useful citizen. I believe in the training of my head for the power it will give me to think, plan, and reason. I believe in the training of my hands for the ability it will give me to become helpful, useful, and skillful. I believe in the training of my health for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently. I believe in my country, my state, and my community, and in my responsibilities for their development. In all these things I believe, and I am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment.

Training

Halter breaking your lamb is one of the first things you do after you bring it home. A halter broke lamb is eaisier to lead and can be tied for cleaning, examinations, and exercising.

Emergency Sheep Meeting

Last night we had an emergency sheep meeting to sign everyone up for Field Day in June. Field Day is a mock competition where we practice showing our lambs just like we would at the fair. Real competition judges are there and judge and place everyone's lambs. I'll keep you updated.

Lamb Exercise

I try to walk George once a day. Walking builds muscle, relieves stress and boredom, and allows us to bond. Working with George on a daily basis is calming for him and prepares him for showmanship.

Lamb Feed

Based on the breeders recommendation, I supplement the alfalfa I give George with Showtime Lamb Feed. It is a complete coarse textured feed that contains 17% protein and ammonium chloride for prevention of urinary ualculi. Not only is it good for him but George loves it. Showtime Lamb Feed is available locally at Santa Margarita Feed & Farm Supply.

Introduction

My name is William Lorz and this is my fourth year in the Templeton 4-H Group. I spent two years showing chickens as a primary member and this will be my second year showing lambs. My lamb that I purchased on April 1st is named George. He is a male Hampshire/Suffolk cross breed. He was born January 28, 2010 on the Casey Sheep Ranch. The day I purchased him he weighed 70 lbs. His ear tag number is 1004. I was attracted to him because he was long loined, tall, and muscular. I paid more for him than my lamb last year, but I think he will weigh more and impress the judge as long as I put the work into him. I can't wait to see how well George does at the fair. I have a lot of work to do.

George Comes Home

On April Fool's Day, Mom, my brother Walter, and I went out to the Casey's farm to pick out a lamb. I chose George because he showed exceptional qualities, even though he cost a little more than I had expected.