Funding coming in for stock show
By Donnie A. Lucas
Donations picked up over the last two weeks to fund the annual Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show but more are needed with the show set to open in just three weeks on Jan. 23-25.
The association’s treasurer, Molly Cauble, reported Monday that just under $14,000 had been received to fund the event.
“It takes approximately $20,000 to fund the show each year, which includes prize money, ribbons, and other expenses,” she said. “Whatever is left is put into the Bidders Pool to serve as a starting bid for each animal in the sale.”
Cauble explained that there are a number of other expenses that are provided by specific donations, such as the cost of the buckles for the showmanship awards.
“We are always needing people to donate for other parts of the event such as the buckles,” she said. “There are a number of ways people can give, or they can just donate to the general operating fund.”
Buckle sponsorships are $100 each and can be obtained by contacting Cauble at Momentum Operating, 325-762-3331, ext. 101.
Association president Bronco Askew encouraged people who have donated in the past to call in if they feel like they have been missed.
“We want to try to get in donations as quickly as possible,” Askew said. “Those we haven’t heard from by next week we’ll call personally. That way we can figure out how much we have that we can add to the Bidders Pool.”
Askew said that this may be one of the larger shows in recent years.
“It looks like it will be bigger than ever this year,” he said. “We still don’t have a firm number, but that is what we are hearing from the ag sponsors.”
Letters were sent to previous donors in early December, with donations thus far running slightly ahead of last year. However, due to the increase in the number of projects, expenses will also rise.
“The stock show is the largest single extracurricular event our youth participate in,” said Askew. “It is important that the show receives the support of the community and surrounding area in order to remain successful.”
The show provides opportunities for students in Albany and Moran FFA chapters, along with the Shackelford County 4-H to participate.
Judging Cut
to 2 Days
One of the major adjustments in this year’s stock show is that all judging has been consolidated into Friday and Saturday only.
The biggest change is that the rabbit and poultry shows will be moved from Thursday evening to Saturday morning following the cattle judging.
“We will have weighing in for the pigs, lambs, and goats on Thursday evening, but there won’t be any judging on Thursday this year,” Askew said.
The pigs, lambs, and goats will be in the show ring on Friday, with the cattle, poultry, and rabbits on Saturday morning.
Another change will be that the awarding of the showmanship buckles and a recognition for all senior exhibitors will be held after all judging has concluded on Saturday before the sale.
Friday’s show will see a couple of changes in classes.
“In addition to the purebred hog classes, we’ll also have a division for white crossbred pigs and for dark crossbreds,” Askew said. “And we’ve added a class for hair sheep. We have enough youth showing Dorper sheep to constitute a class.”
Anyone interested in helping with the annual show can contact Cauble or Askew.
Contributions for the 2020 show can be sent to the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association, Attn: Molly Cauble, PO Box 2439, Albany TX 76430.
