Ear tag deadline nears

By Kathy Thomson

Tomorrow, April 10, is the deadline for local youth livestock exhibitors to clean out their pens at the FFA barn from this year’s show animals and also the deadline to purchase ear tags for some of next year’s livestock shows.

Steer and heifer tag orders for the major shows need to be turned in to Albany ag advisor Chris Beard or Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter by April 10.

April 10 is also the deadline to turn in tag orders for swine, lambs, and goats for the State Fair of Texas. 

“We have to get the orders and the money turned in to us before we can purchase the tags,” Beard said. “I think most everybody has already taken care of ordering tags, but anyone who hasn’t done so needs to contact me.”

Although the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association Buyer Seller Banquet was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for livestock exhibitors to clean out any pens they used at the FFA barn is still this Friday, April 10.

“If your pens are not cleaned by the deadline, a $25 per pen cleaning fee will be deducted from your stock show check,” Beard said.

According to SCYLA treasurer Molly Cauble, some pledge money has been coming in, but there is still about $11,000 outstanding.  

The sooner that all the pledges are paid, the sooner the association will have the funds needed to cover the sale checks.