Published: February 22, 2009 09:14 am      

District show a premiere event

Beginning Feb. 28 one of the best livestock shows in the state will take place at the Woodward County Fairgrounds.

The 75th Annual Woodward District 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Show runs from Feb. 28 to March 5.

Melanie Lynes-Matt, of the Oklahoma State University extension office in Woodward, said 1,800 youth will be exhibiting animals.

Nine counties will be represented at the show. Also competitors from Alva, Freedom and Waynoka will have animals entered.

Marlin Trissel, a co-chairman of the show, summed up what spectators will see at by saying: “The quality of the kids, support of the businesses and individuals at the premium auction and support of the community make this show the best in the state bar none.”

Trissel and Woodward Mayor Bill Fanning are the co-chairmen of the show. Trissel has been involved with the show for over 40 years if you count his time as a competitor. Fanning has done it since 1980.

Fanning said one of his favorite parts is seeing the students come and show every year as they get older.

“They are not all farm kids, but they usually are hard working kids who work with animals for a few months,” Fanning said.

C.J. Montgomery, president of the Woodward Chamber of Commerce, echoed Fanning’s sentiments, saying his biggest reward in supporting the show is to witness the hard work the students put in first hand.

The volunteers and people involved behind the scenes are also important in making the district livestock show one of the best in the state. Montgomery pointed to the work that people in the chamber office do, especially Karla Wilson, as reasons why the show is constantly a success.

A major highlight is the premium auction, which will take place on March 5. In the past around 50 buyers have been at the auction.

“We set records every year,” Fanning said about the amount of money generated at the auction, “but we’ll test the economy this year.”

“We’re fully aware of the economic situation,” Trissel said. “Hopefully buyers won’t think of that when they are dealing with kids.”

Montgomery was also optimistic, saying he thinks everyone will be “pleasantly surprised” at the amount of money the auction will raise.

Even if the economy prevents the auction from setting another record, the night will still be enjoyable. The Chamber of Commerce will announce the winners of the Bud Nelson Memorial Scholarship. Six 4-H or FFA members will receive $500 for their college education.

The Black Jacket Award will also be given out that night. The award is given to a major supporter of the show over the years. Fanning won last year’s award.

The major attraction though is the animals. Feb. 28 will be spent setting things up and moving livestock into the barns.

At 9 a.m. on March 1 the show will kick off with the barrows being judged. A total of 502 have been entered according to the OSU extension office. Willie Kirkpatrick of Fox will judge the barrows.

At 5:30 p.m. on the same day the lamb lead will take place. The participant who presents their lamb in the most attractive manner possible will win $15.

March 2 will begin with the sheep show. Jimmy Davis of Walters will judge the 240 breeding ewes and wethers beginning at 9 a.m.

Later that day the hog show will finish with breeding gilts being judged by Ryan Sites of Tuttle. The extension office says 181 breeding gilts have been entered.

The species that has seen the largest jump in popularity is goats. They will be shown at noon on March 3. Phil Stacy of Oktaha will judge. A total of 440 does and wether goats will be shown.

Melanie Lynes-Matt says there has been an increase in the number of goats because they are relatively new to Oklahoma.

Bill Fanning and Marlin Trissel believe the increase has been due to the accessibility goats provide.

“Goats are something town kids really like,” Fanning said. “They can treat them like a pet.”

Trissel said: “Goats are very kid friendly.”

Heifers and steers will be judged on March 4 by Tyler Norvell of Tuttle. Two hundred head of cattle will be shown the extension office said.

March 5 will feature the premium auction in the evening and a meat judging contest at Ray’s Meat Market in the morning. Montgomery said the six day competition will benefit the city of Woodward, spectators and the students who show.

Trissel believes the students stand to gain the most though.

“This is huge in teaching kids responsibility and to be better leaders in our community,” Trissel said.