Funds come in for stock show
The Shackelford County Youth Livestock Show starts Thursday, Jan. 31, one week from today.
“We’ll start clipping pigs sometime toward the end of this week, probably Thursday or Friday, then start work on the lambs and goats over the weekend,” said Albany ag instructor Chris Beard.
There are 137 exhibitors entered in the show this year, according to Shackelford County agent Michaela Bradford.
Participants range in age from nine to 18 years, and have registered 40 gilts, 69 barrows, 81 rabbit entries including some pens of three, 10 market lambs, six ewe lambs, 31 doe goats, 17 wether goats, seven pens of chickens, two heifers, and 12 steers – a total of 275 entries.
In 2018, 175 youth entered 318 project animals including 105 pigs, 118 rabbits, 46 goats, 21 steers and heifers, 16 chickens, and 12 lambs.
In 2017 a total of 187 4-H and FFA members exhibited 318 animals, and in 2016 there were 155 exhibitors with 295 animals.
“One big change this year is that there will not be a barbecue lunch,” said Bradford. “The number of people eating the barbecue has been decreasing, so we decided to try just using the concession stand this year.”
Unlike previous years, there will not be a break between the show and the auction, which will start at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.
Concession Donations
Debra Boyett and Tisha Wilkins are in charge of stock show concessions, and Boyett is asking parents of 4-H and FFA students to remember to drop off their donated food items early next week.
“Please have the food items delivered to The Feed Store by Tuesday, Jan. 29 so we can get organized and be ready to start cooking,” Boyett said.
Wilkins requested that parents of exhibitors who have not already been contacted about food donations call her or Boyett to find out what items are still needed.
Fundraising Ongoing
Members of the stock show association are also busy preparing for the upcoming event.
Current donations totaled around $18,600 as of Tuesday, according to SCYLA treasurer Molly Cauble, which gives the account about the bare minimum of the basic cost to fund the show.
All other donations will go directly to the bidders pool.
Those interested in contributing to the 2019 show are encouraged to send donations to tellers at First National Bank, or First Financial Bank, or to association president Bronco Askew.
Donations can also be given to Molly Cauble, SCYLA, PO Box 2439, Albany TX 76430.
All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show.
