Union County 4-H’ers, parents and volunteers worked Sunday morning, Dec. 10, weighing and tagging beef animals at Creston Livestock Auction in Creston. The 122 head identified by 62 potential exhibitors at the weigh-in are now eligible to be exhibited July 19-25, 2018, at Union County Fair .
Twenty-five head were verified for exhibition at the 2018 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 9-19, and the 2018 AKSARBEN livestock show.
One of the primary purposes of the weigh-in is to gather beginning weights so rate of gain can be calculated. Rate of gain is an important factor in determining the profitability of cattle. To qualify for a blue or purple award, each lead market steer exhibited at Union County Fair is required to gain a minimum of 2.0 pounds per day and lead market heifers are required to gain a minimum of 1.75 pounds per day. The gain along with carcass traits is used to determine the winners of the performance contest. The top individual animals in this contest, as well as the pen of cattle that averages the highest retail value per day on feed, will be honored.
Youth weighing animals included Austin Evans, Halle Evans, Ava Adamson, Abbie Bruce, Allivea Skarda, Gage Skarda, Tyler Loudon, Reece Glynn, Keaton Street, Hollynn Rieck, Carson Rieck, Paul Johnston, Carly Zollman, Cole Smith, Camden Smith, Connor Travis, Tristan Travis, Noah Driskill, Beau Thompson, Tyson Looney, Mikaela Downing, Chasse Downing, Hank Looney, Brant Looney, Ella Powers, Alissa Weinkoetz, Chloe Kerrigan, Tate Kerrigan, Taylor Miller, Harry Walters, Andrew Hribal, Izak Hribal, Hayden Green, Alexis Baker, Ashlyn Baker, Grace Keeler, Sanden Cheers, Olivia Cheers, Milo Staver, Averi Staver, Sidney Staver, Maxwell Skellenger, Haley Schultz, Noland Ide, Hayden Waigand, Ansley Waigand, Kade Weis, Mark Waigand, Clayton Toppin, Ashley Toppin, Bradley Toppin, Taylor Purdy, Blake Wuebker, Abbie Wuebker, Nate Purdy, Hannah Woods, Hope Woods, Keaton Kralik, Kolbey Bailey and Keigan Bailey.
A special thanks to all of the Union County beef committee members for their time and dedication to the youth of Union County. This event would not have been made possible had it not been for countless volunteers and Creston Livestock Auction for allowing 4-H’ers to use the sale barn. The weigh-in was organized by Kysa Downing of Union County Extension.