Raising kids that are raising show animals
Activities deemed well worth the effort by parents

By CAROLYN ROST | South Central Texas Edition

Neal Janssen hangs a fan that will keep his daughter’s show steer cool. -- Staff photo by Rost

Oct. 20, 2005 - As any parent knows, raising kids is a fulltime job. Parents who raise kids who raise animals for their 4-H or FFA project often find themselves working a lot of overtime helping with the daily chores of animal care.

Parents interviewed at the Jackson County Youth Fair, Oct. 1-8 in Edna, all agreed that the time put in was time well spent and it is truly a family affair.

�I think it teaches them responsibility and as far as taking on a project like this (hogs), which is a five-month project, there�s a lot of family time. It takes my husband, myself and both of the girls to work the hogs,� said Robin Klasel, whose two daughters, Courtney, 12, and Rachel, 10, have participated in 4-H for a couple of years.�

�We have a spare (hog) at home as well as these two, so walking them in the evenings is a family event,� added Klasel.

Robin Klasel said having the show animals, including Ima (pictured), creates quality time for the family. -- Staff photo by Rost

For the Klasel family, any money won is divided evenly between the two girls and will be saved for their college educations. “Last year our oldest daughter’s hog was sifted (eliminated before the final show) so the money just went into one pile that is split.”

Although the money earned is important to a 4-H or FFA family, the pure fun in working with the animals is the reason the kids stay involved it in for many years.

�The oldest one did rabbits for the first two years but after watching the hog show it was just too exciting to pass up. So she wanted to do hogs also,� said Klasel.

According to Neal Janssen, participating in 4-H involves more than just competing at one county fair a year. “There are several meetings you go to. You’re constantly going to them,” said Janssen, whose daughter, Erin, 15, showed a steer at the fair this year. “The kids have to be members of an organization to show, so being in 4-H, to be a part of it, we just go along with them.”

Along with being a parent of a 4-H member, Janssen, himself, is a member of the steer committee which helps get the kids started with their animals in the fall. “We actually start next week, after this show is over with, ... finding steers for next year’s show,” said Janssen.

As if that isn’t enough on his plate, Janssen is on the livestock judging committee. “I’m also a team leader for the livestock judging team so when we do that I take anywhere from 10 to 20 kids and we travel to different county shows judging against the other students.”

Once spring arrives, the kids start working with their animals. “We have three progress shows per year, every six weeks, then our fair is now in October,” he added.

Before the competition, the young exhibitors must learn how much to feed their steer so it gains the recommended weight. The steers are weighed periodically at the progress shows during the year and the kids have weight gain contests to see who can get their animal to gain the most. The steers must weigh a minimum of 1,000 pounds to be eligible to show. The recommended weight is anywhere from 1,200 to 1,300 pounds. 

John and Loretta Macha attended the fair along with their children, Shelby, 11, and twin boys Mark and Justin, age 7. Together they helped Shelby get ready to show her commercial heifer. Like other parents, John and Loretta both agree that 4-H plays an important role in their children’s lives. 

�I� think they learn responsibility and taking care of projects,� John said. �Hopefully they will pick up a lot of responsiblity that you don�t see a lot of today.�

While learning responsibility is important, winning makes it all worthwhile. Weston Shoemate, 13, of Edna accomplished just that by taking grand champion honors in the commercial heifer show and reserve champion lamb. His mom, Grace, said the support from family is very important and raising animals is a great learning experience. “Commercial steers teaches them the real life of the cattle rancher. What it takes to raise the quality cattle at the cheapest price that they can and still produce a quality product.”

Good, family-oriented fun is how Michael Goldman described 4-H and the youth fair. “It’s a good family thing. Parents come out here and bring them (kids) and help get their animals ready for the show.” 

Goldman’s two kids, Matthew, 15, and Ashlyn, 10, were exhibitors in the turkey competition. 

When asked what he liked about being in 4-H, Matthew commented, “I think it’s fun and it’s an experience to raise them.” 

With a grin, Ashlyn replied, “Money.”