New Showman ~ It's Official

With our kids growing up on the farm, they are exposed daily, to the animals.  We've never pushed them into showing an animal at the fair.  By giving them guidance and showing them the options available to them, we hoped they would be interested in the animals when the time came.

Bryce is eight years old.  Up until last year I thought he would be my one child who wouldn't want to have anything to do with showing calves and cows in our county fairs.  Year after year, he's watched his older cousins and friends care for their animals and show them at the fairs every summer.  I believe this has really inspired him to want his own calf and show her in the fair.

A year ago, he asked us if he could have his own calf to show for the upcoming fairs and shows.

Enter:  Jinx.  Born on January 1st, 2013.  Bryce's first show calf.

Our local fairs begin in June.  As a precursor to the fairs, our local Redwood Empire Holstein Association puts on a "Black and White Show & Sale" every spring.....the perfect event to give the kids a little practice showing their animals before the fairs begin.

Just before it was show time, Bryce says to me, 

"Mom, my stomach feels weird.  I don't want to show Jinx."

Bryce, that's a normal feeling.  Those are called jitters and they will disappear as soon as you step into that show ring.  You'll be fine and you'll have fun.

At the very last minute, sister Paige, borrowed her friend, Gracie's Jersey calf, Rusty, to show in the ring with Bryce in the "PeeWee" division.....8 and unders.....there were only two of them in the ring.

In the 'Showmanship Class', it's more about how the showman handles his/her calf and whether he pays attention to the judge in the ring at all times.

Both kids did really well.  Jitters gone for Bryce and I don't think Paige ever had them.

Bryce did so well, he was invited back to compete in Showmanship Class with the Juniors.....12 years old and under.  There were seven in all.

Bryce did his best to keep his eye on the judge, Tony Demellow.

Which paid off.  He came in third.

He's HOOKED!

No turning back now.

Pin It

Turn a Kid Loose at a Holstein Auction, Guess What You Get

We spent our rainy, northern California Friday night at the annual Redwood Holstein Association fund raiser sale.  Fortunately there were space heaters scattered throughout the show ring, because it was cold.

I just found out that the Holstein Association allows kids {young ones} to show in their shows, in 4H a child needs to be 8 to show a large animal.  I was happy to see that both Paige and Bryce were interested in doing this.  Maybe it helps by watching their older friend, Alex, walking the calves out for the sale.

And their friend, Frankie.

At the sale, calves are not the only thing up for auction. 

Raise your hand for semen!  And Bryce did {he's 6, if you're new here}.  He bought 10 units of semen out of the Holstein bull, 'Detroit' from Alta Genetics.  The kid loves buying things.....anything apparently.

Bryce says, "What did I just buy?"

"Semen" I answer.

"Can I buy more?!"

"No, that's enough" I say.

Logan {sitting next to Bryce} asks, "What's semen?"

"It's what is going to make a cow pregnant." I answer and she seemed satisfied with that.....thankfully.

The things one learns at a Holstein sale!

Where's Waldo Bryce?  He loves trying to sneak into every photo I take.

Oh, and there was one random Jersey calf sold last night also.

Another highlight, and the thing the kids remembered from last year is the Sundae Bar where they can order up an ice cream sundae to their liking.

To finish off the evening, it's always fun to play in a bunch of shavings.

Time to shake them off and put them to bed.

What did you do on your Friday night?

Related post: "What happens when you turn a 6 year old loose at an FFA Cake Auction?"


Tweet

Pin It

A Fun Spring Social Dairy Event

Last night we attended the Redwood Empire Holstein Association Spring Event & Live Auction. This is a small fundraiser for Redwood Empire Holstein Association that benefits the club and it's Junior Members. The event took place at the Sonoma/Marin Fairgrounds in one of the show arenas. Shavings covered the ground, picnic tables set up and eight or so outdoor propane heaters lined the area (I was particularly happy about the heaters). A very cozy setting. We started out the evening with the Social/Cocktail hour (1 1/2 hrs. to be precise) provided by Hunt & Behrens Feed. This gives everyone a chance to visit and catch up while enjoying an array of cheeses and cocktails, milk or soda. Oysters on the half shell were served up by Bob Clark and friends during cocktail time..... Time to mingle......... A delicious dinner of salmon, risotto and salad was prepared by Jerry Corda, Hank Corda and their families and friends. So good! And very fitting as it happened to be Good Friday. The cooking crew........... Enjoying the food........ Our friends, the Silaccis Bryce was digging into that salmon........... The live auction was about to begin Plenty of bull semen for sale................... A high bidder is being announced for Lot #5 - 10 units of M Leader Semen. There were also supplies such as feed, vet supplies and even a Point Reyes vacation getaway stay for two nights on the block to be auctioned off. Dessert, an ice cream fountain bar was donated by Mike Griffen from Clover Stornetta Farms and was being served up by the reining 2009 Dairy Princess 1st runner up Mandy Brazil and Mike Griffen....... Paige was all over the ice cream............ Another fun filled night has ended............ Happy Saturday! Pin It

The Future of Dairy

We had such a busy and fun weekend! Saturday morning we headed over to Sonoma, CA to the Neles-Johnson Dairy where the Redwood Empire Holstein Association held it's annual Dairy Judging Day competition. Last year's Dairy Judging State Championship Team from Petaluma FFA (Future Farmers of America) along with Dominic (their coach) were asked to officiate at this weekend's event. Read more about the Dairy Judging State Championship Team that Dominic was and is so proud to coach and their invitation to compete in the Royal Highland Show in Scotland this coming June.....HERE. The Championship Team: Sam, Rocco, Mandy and Kelli - three of which presently attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA and one is a Senior in high school at the present time, gave their free time to volunteer for this event. This is what it's all about, helping, motivating and inspiring the younger kids to achieve......

The object of Dairy Cattle Judging or Dairy Cattle Evaluation is, to develop the student's skills in observation and analysis of dairy cattle.

Here, Rocco is showing the kids how it's done by explaining his reasons why he placed the four cows in a certain order - number one being the most favorable and number four being the least favorable....

The future of dairy.......... Here, Mandy is reciting her reasons for the placement of cows......

Bryce and Paige were inspired to try judging themselves. Here they are looking at udder placement.......

Dominic and Tony Neles explaining to the younger of the kids the placement of the cows and the reasoning behind it........

Mandy, Dominic and Kelli working on the 'Official' placings for the calf and heifer class.....

The calf class (near) and the heifer class (far).........

Alex and Sam placing the calves............

This is the Judging Card that the participants use. There are 24 different placement choices for each set of four cows, heifers or calves. Competitors assess things such as, udder, frame, dairy strength, and feet and legs for mobility. After the competitor places them, they must then give a "set of reasons" to the officials as to why they have placed them in that particular order.

Cute calves.........

After Bryce completed his placements, he got a little crazy with the pen.....all over his face....

A nice barbecue lunch was served after the competition.......

Trophies to be won.........

A participation medal for Bryce in the 'Pee Wee' division. He was also high in placings for his division......thanks for helping him Rocco!

Paige also received a participant medal. Bryce and Paige were just along for the ride today but what they saw at this event really motivated them to participate. A great experience for them both and for all the kids involved.

To join the FaceBook group 'Petaluma FFA Dairy Judging Team' click HERE.

Happy Sunday!

Pin It