Livestock sale set for Saturday
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Months of hard work will finally pay off for Jasper County FFA and 4- H members this weekend.

The Jasper County Junior Livestock Show and Sale will be held at the livestock barn, located on Hwy. 777 across from the Jasper County Airport.

"Youth, here in Jasper County, get involved with these projects because of interest and with a hope of earning funds over a period of years to put forth towards college funds," said Jasper County Extension Agent Ricky Thompson. "We have found these projects to also be good vehicles for youth to display good character towards raising livestock.

"Pillars of character such as trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship can be adhered to these curriculums," Thompson said.

Thompson believes more than 200 entries will be exhibited by 4-H and FFA members from Jasper County this weekend.

At the Jasper County Jr. Livestock Show, swine, goats, broilers, rabbits, lambs and beef cattle animals will be display.

The Junior Market Rabbit, Broiler and Swine show will kick off at 8 a.m. Friday, March 28. The Market Goat show and Hog show will conclude the first day.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, March 29, the show will begin day two with the market lambs and complete the day with the market steer and Breeding Beef Cattle show.

There will also be an open breeding beef show that day as well.

The key to the weekend's events will be the Junior Livestock Sale, which will be held Saturday, March 29 at 4 p.m.

"The public is invited out to the Junior Livestock Barn to support the youth of Jasper County during the show and sale," Thompson said. "Buyers are also needed to support the youth in the Livestock sale of Champions."

Thompson pointed out that the financial reward at the end of the project is just part of the benefits from being involved in the program.

"Youth have been showing livestock in the United States for a century now," Thompson said. "Youth took on these projects to learn more about raising farm animals and exhibiting livestock for show. Youth in 4-H clubs and FFA chapters learn how to raise these animals and tend to their needs on a daily basis."

Thompson pointed out that junior livestock shows have become very popular in Texas and have progressed to bigger levels such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is concluding this coming week in Houston.

Thompson said other objectives from being involved in the program include educating youth exhibitors about proper management practices associated with junior livestock, which should ultimately lead to a more safe and wholesome food supply.

For more information on the junior livestock show and sale, contact Thompson at the Jasper County Extension office at 384-3721.