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.