Area 4-H’ers got the chance to show how hard they’ve worked to raise and care for their goats Tuesday morning at the Lyon County Fair’s dairy goat show.
Several youngsters said they like raising and showing dairy goats because they are fun and easy to care for, but still, a lot of work goes into raising show-quality dairy goats. The goats must be sheltered from the weather and must be fed and watered twice a day. Their shelters have to be kept clean, also, and their hooves must be trimmed before the showing.
Goats also must be trained to lead with a chain or collar, and must be able to stand with heads up and legs properly spaced.
It sounds easy, but tell that to a 10-year-old who’s not much bigger than the goat.
Denton Youngblood, 10, was at the show with his 5-year-old goat, Queenie. Denton said this is his fourth year of participation in the dairy goat show.
“I like it because when you milk a dairy goat it makes your hands and arms stronger so you’ll be better at showing,” Denton said.
He described some of the particulars to watch out for when preparing for a show.
“You don’t want the goat’s bag too full but you want to have enough milk in it,” he said. “Sometimes if they’re dried out that might be a disqualification. You want them to have a baby before the fair so they’ll have milk.”
Denton is also showing rabbits at the fair this year, he said.
Amid the more experienced 4-H’ers were some who were showing for the first time.
Nicole Cain won a blue ribbon with her goat, Zsa Zsa. This is her first time participating in the dairy goat show.
“It’s fun,” Nicole said, adding that it’s also a lot of work. “You have to make sure they’re trimmed right and you have to work with them so they can walk and stand right.”
Nicole said she’s looking forward to next year’s dairy goat show.
Coming away with a blue ribbon in the senior showman category was Callie Clark, who said this is her seventh dairy goat showing. She won in the category with her goat, Star.
“They’re easy to take care of and they’re a lot of fun,” Callie said. “Next year I’m going to do meat goats.”
As the judge examined the show animals and pointed out the good points of each goat, others washed their animals and gave them a last once-over to make sure the goats were presentable. Others were looking to the future.
“When Queenie dies, I’m going to retire from the dairy goats,” Denton said.