Plans finalized for county stock show
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the local stock show just two weeks away, plans are in the final stages for both fundraising and logistics.
The Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association met on Dec. 17 to continue with plans for this year’s county stock show, which is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 16-18, at the county show barn. A total of 132 youth from Albany FFA, Moran FFA and Shackelford County 4-H have entered about 225 livestock projects.
“At the meeting, we made sure all the volunteers are in place and everybody is on the same page,” Albany FFA advisor Chris Beard said. “We went over all the barn details and made sure everything’s ready. It looks like we’re good to go.”
The county show barn has undergone extensive renovations over the last two years, with the latest improvements including an addition to the cattle barn, as well as enclosing that area.
“With the new enclosure, we shouldn’t have any problems with water freezing at the wash racks, and it will be much more comfortable for those animals and their owners,” said Association board member Reggy Spencer.
He added that the photo area is also now completely enclosed.
Because of the recent jackpot show, Beard stated that there will be no need for an official work day this year to prepare for the show. Over the next two weeks, FFA and 4-H members will be handling various chores to make sure the facility is ready.
Fundraising
The Association is proceeding with its fundraising efforts for the show. Letters soliciting donations were sent out in December. All donations go toward expenses of the show such as ribbons, belt buckles, supplies, and premium money. Any excess funds will be distributed to show participants through the Bidders Pool.
The Association also held a golf tournament, coordinated the annual fall pig sale, and hosted a jackpot pig show to raise money.
Spencer said that the jackpot event brought in only about half of what it did in 2023, probably because of the timing with the later-than-usual Thanksgiving holiday, but the golf tournament and auction held in July brought in about $40,000.
In addition, raffles will be held for a processed hog and a 12-gauge shotgun. Tickets for the hog are $1 each or six for $5. Tickets for the shotgun are $5 each or five for $20.
Mike Parsons, who heads up the finance committee, said that the Association has reached about 60 percent of its goal for the 2025 Bidders Pool.
“We anticipate having a finance meeting after New Year’s and contacting those that we have not heard from that have been so generous in the past,” Parsons said. “It will take a tremendous effort to equal the record sale we had in 2024, but I am confident that our benefactors will continue to support the youth of Shackelford County.”
Health Requirements
After the goat and sheep show on Jan. 17, gilts can get the testing and documentation required to be taken to major stock shows this year.
Personnel from Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital will be at the show barn that day to conduct the procedures.
Cost is $25 for the “combo gilt test,” which includes the lepto vaccine, brucellosis test, and pseudorabies test, and $5 per show for health papers for both gilts and barrows for major shows.
Health papers for all livestock species are required for the Fort Worth show. The documents are available for $10 per animal for cattle, sheep, and goats.
Parents need to be present.
Payment must be made at Salt Creek Vet Clinic prior to Jan. 17. For more information, call 325-762-6090.
