You're Invited!

By Tyler:
There are many things that 4-H participants have to do as preparation for the fair. Hoof trimming, halter breaking, hair cutting... But one of the most important tasks actually has nothing to do with the animals.

It's driving around and visiting trusted businesses and companies, giving them information about the fair, and inviting them to attend. We explain how the fair can benefit them through tax write-offs and advertising. Most of the buyers at the fair are, in fact, companies, and it's important to build relationships with them so that the sale can be a success for everybody.

How to Raise a Steer

By Sharon:

This year, every student in Bryson's 5th grade class had the opportunity to show and teach about any topic. Bryson decided to teach about taking care of steers, since he has three years of experience now.  Unfortunately, the steer was a little too big to take to school, so we thought a video would be a better option.

In the long "haul"

By Sharon:
Last year we planted the back half-acre of our lot with pasture grass.  We were really excited to be able to get 27 bales of hay out of the first crop this summer!  It will be great to be able to grow our own hay this year.  Plus it makes for an awesome game of hide-and-seek!

Home on the Range

Each spring, every cow has to be vaccinated and the new calves have to be branded and tagged to get ready for a summer on the BLM range in the mountains near Salina.  Grandpa runs the show and the the rest of the family helps with the many duties involved.  This year Bryson got the vaccination shots ready for Kaylee to administer.  Tyler did the dirty work loading the cattle into the chutes and trailers with Uncle Jeremy.

Fertig

Because this is Tyler's last year, he decided to name is steer "Fertig," which is German for finished. After six years of German classes it is no surprise that all but one of his steers were named German words. His first year he named his steer "Donner," which means thunder. The next year he decided on "Boden Rindfleisch," which translates into "ground beef." Later, we met a German couple camping near Bear Lake and discovered that the word "Boden" means ground, as in, the floor. Oops! During his third year, he had no idea of what to name his steer, so he named it "Duunoyet" (don't-know-yet.) And two years ago — he took a break last year — he chose "Klein" which means small. Ironic, because his steer was the largest at the fair that year. We didn't think Tyler would be showing again this year, because he didn't do it last year and we thought he was done, but he surprised us last minute (or about as close to last minute as you can get in this business) and said he wanted to do it one last time.  So, Fertig, you should consider yourself a lucky steer!

Where's the beef?

It's in our backyard! Tyler, Kaylee, and Bryson are raising three black angus X maine-anjou show steers for the Weber County Fair. This is Tyler's fifth and final year, since he has graduated is will be off to college this fall and a mission next year.  Bryson has shown steer in the fair for the past two years and is excited to be an "old pro" now that he's eleven.  Kaylee is our most experiences cattle hand.  This is her sixth steer!

We're very grateful to 4-H and the Weber County Fair for the hard-work ethic, leadership, and skills that this experience provides.  Now that Tyler's getting ready for college, he's especially grateful to all of the buyers, boosters, and supporters over the years.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Thanks to:  Kozco Mechanical, Wadman Construction, Post Construction, Hard Rock Excavation, Great Western Landscaping, Staker-Parsons, K&R Plumbing, Les Schwab Tires, Pobanz Orthodontics, Lynn & Kay Moyes, Maw Equipment, CAL Ranch, Days Automotive, & Ryan Ivie Real Estate.