Stock show registrations due Nov. 8
By Kathy Thomson
Many local FFA and 4-H members are already busy preparing for the upcoming stock show season by validating, feeding, and training show animals, participating in fundraisers, and making sure that their entry paperwork is turned in.
Show Registration
All 4-H and FFA youth who plan to exhibit an animal at any major stock shows or the county show need to turn in their registration information to Albany ag instructor Chris Beard by tomorrow, Nov. 8.
“All major and county stock show entries are due at this time,” said Beard. “This will allow me time to process the entries and turn them in before the Thanksgiving holidays.”
Swine Validation
Local swine validation is planned Nov. 18-19.
Beard will contact parents to arrange a time to come to their facility and validate their child’s swine on one of those two days.
Poultry Validation
Beard is expecting day old chicks to be delivered on Dec. 5 or 6.
“If your child has ordered chickens for the county show, please have everything ready for them when they arrive,” said Beard. “They will be one to two days old, so they will need a heat lamp, feed, and water.”
Chicks cost $1.57 each.
Rabbit Validation
One lot of rabbits arrived at the ag farm last week, while the rest of the rabbits ordered by students will be available in December.
“Please contact me to validate and pick up rabbits if you ordered them,” said Beard. “All show rabbits have to be tattooed.”
Cold Weather
Beard asked parents to make sure that all animals are properly taken care of during cold weather.
“With cold weather, the animals will need lights, hay, feed, and fresh water every day to stay warm throughout the months of bad weather,” said the ag instructor. “If the water freezes, your child will need to haul water several times during the day to ensure that your animal is getting fresh water at all times.”
Fundraisers
Members of the Albany FFA are currently selling meat, cookies, and fruit as a fundraiser for the local FFA chapter.
The sale will end on Nov. 22, and items will be delivered in early December.
FFA and 4-H students are selling raffle tickets for two different drawings that will both take place at the county show on Jan. 25.
Raffle tickets for a Savage Stevens 12 gauge Model 320 pump action shot gun can be purchased for $5 per ticket or $20 for five tickets.
Tickets for a processed hog raffle are available for $1 each or six tickets for $5.
To purchase, contact any participating student.
FFA Dues
Junior FFA membership dues are $10 and should be paid before Dec. 1.
