Submitted by Alex McNally, 4-H member
On Sunday, August 7, the Meaford St. Vincent 4-H Calf Club met at the Meaford Fairgrounds along with the Beaver Valley 4-H Sheep Club for a showmanship workshop.
They started off with the 4-H Pledge. Then they got into pairs of senior members with junior members and went outside where the beef members showed the sheep and dairy members how to show beef.
After that the dairy members showed the beef and sheep how to show dairy. After the dairy was done the two clubs split up and had their business part of the meeting followed by lunch. When they finished their sausages and fruit, all went in the ring for sheep showing. By end of the meeting every 4-H member had shown a beef and dairy calf as well as a sheep. Great experience should they have to represent their club in a showmanship final in which switching animals determines their final score.
To wrap up, they all gave a big thanks to Lindsey Teekins and the Tichbornes for bringing the sheep, the Foothill Farms for the dairy cattle, Destiny Simmental and Smart Limousin for beef. Also to thank were Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Teekins for cooking lunch and Mikaela Adams for her help in organizing the day. A special thanks for the Meaford and St. Vincent Agricultural Society for use of the Fairgrounds.
The Calf Club will meet again on August 21 for a crop tour. Their season will end with a final meeting at the Pork Chop BBQ evening on August 31, during which the 161st Meaford and St. Vincent Fall Fair opens. Each member of the club will be showing their calf at the fair on September 3 at 10 am.
