Area livestock shows are b-a-a-a-a-ck

January 13, 2011

Reagan Hamlin finishes grooming her lamb prior to judging at the Howard County Junior Livestock Show, which began Wednesday at the county fair barns. The show concludes Saturday. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan)

A little cold weather wasn't about to stop this hardy group of future farmers.

Despite frigid temperatures, the annual Howard County Junior Livestock Show began its annual run Wednesday at the county fair barns.

The show, which runs through Saturday, features 122 exhibitors showing 311 entries, a decrease of 84 animals from last year's show, officials said.

The most probable cause for the decrease, they said, was the economy. It costs several hundred dollars to care for and prepare an animal for livestock show presentation.

“Raising a show animal is a big investment,” said Kandi McWhorter of the extension office.

Lambs and goats were judged Wednesday.

Today's schedule calls for rabbit weigh-in beginning at 4 p.m., with the rabbit show beginning at 6:30 p.m. Also today, steers and heifers will be weighed and classified at 6 p.m., while hog weight cards are due by 8 p.m.

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