Iowa County Fairs low in numbers

allaboutwho02 · Aug 4, 2010

Ok here is something to debate. In Minnesota kids need to win a trip to the State fair. In turn this brings better numbers to the county fairs. As many have know the livestock numbers are going down more and more at the local Iowa county fairs. Why cant there be a rule to help the livestock numbers at the county fair? The RULE would be to make it mandatory for whatever livestock animals the 4-h exhibitor wants to show at the Iowa state fair they have to show at the county fair. Im not saying they need to win a trip like Minn. They just need to show that animal or animals. In turn this would probably help the town, county, and the fairs make more profit and just help the economy a little. It would also make the county fair mean something again. I know theres all these high dollar calves and other animals being saved for the state fair. But if EVERYONE had to show to be eligable for the state fair it would keep things fair. Just an opinion open for discussion.
Thanks

iowabeef · Aug 4, 2010

Many county fairs are up in numbers....Floyd County had record numbers of cattle this year. They still have an auction that really supports the kids and that is why their numbers stay high. I think maybe the reason numbers are going down in some locations is because of the dwindling number of family farms. There simply aren't as many farm kids to keep the numbers up. I don't think the 20 to 30 animals state wide that stay home "saving them" for state will make a big difference in numbers.

simtal · Aug 4, 2010

priority, IMO

state fair numbers > county fair numbers

WhoaFlicka · Aug 4, 2010

our fair butler county is the third week in june state fair second week in augest aimost need two diferent sets of calves but still have decent numbers and very competive

herfchic · Aug 4, 2010

I think that if a person was going to try and get something like that going a rule would have to be built to allow kids to show at a county fair that is not there home county and still be eligible for the state fair. I mean for the past few years my home county fair has been the same week as our Junior National.

LostFarmer · Aug 4, 2010

In Idaho you have to have a blue ribbon to go to state. At least that is my understanding. Problem is our county auction is far better than the state one so you want to sell your critter here and have a second set for state.

Show Steaks · Aug 5, 2010

it was the year of the pig at our county fair increase in numbers as well as quality, sheep were same and cattle a slight decline

iowabeef · Aug 5, 2010

BOOF said:
Ok here is something to debate. In Minnesota kids need to win a trip to the State fair. In turn this brings better numbers to the county fairs. As many have know the livestock numbers are going down more and more at the local Iowa county fairs. Why cant there be a rule to help the livestock numbers at the county fair? The RULE would be to make it mandatory for whatever livestock animals the 4-h exhibitor wants to show at the Iowa state fair they have to show at the county fair. Im not saying they need to win a trip like Minn. They just need to show that animal or animals. In turn this would probably help the town, county, and the fairs make more profit and just help the economy a little. It would also make the county fair mean something again. I know theres all these high dollar calves and other animals being saved for the state fair. But if EVERYONE had to show to be eligable for the state fair it would keep things fair. Just an opinion open for discussion.
Thanks

I believe in Minnesota you are also only allowed to take 1 project to state. So if you had a steer, a pig and a photograph all earning a trip you would have to pick which one you would talk. Can anyone from Minnesota enlighten us on this. If that were the case here in Iowa, it would put a dent in the greatest State fair in the country.

rtmcc · Aug 5, 2010

iowabeef said:
BOOF said:

Ok here is something to debate. In Minnesota kids need to win a trip to the State fair. In turn this brings better numbers to the county fairs. As many have know the livestock numbers are going down more and more at the local Iowa county fairs. Why cant there be a rule to help the livestock numbers at the county fair? The RULE would be to make it mandatory for whatever livestock animals the 4-h exhibitor wants to show at the Iowa state fair they have to show at the county fair. Im not saying they need to win a trip like Minn. They just need to show that animal or animals. In turn this would probably help the town, county, and the fairs make more profit and just help the economy a little. It would also make the county fair mean something again. I know theres all these high dollar calves and other animals being saved for the state fair. But if EVERYONE had to show to be eligable for the state fair it would keep things fair. Just an opinion open for discussion.
Thanks

Click to expand...

I believe in Minnesota you are also only allowed to take 1 project to state. So if you had a steer, a pig and a photograph all earning a trip you would have to pick which one you would talk. Can anyone from Minnesota enlighten us on this. If that were the case here in Iowa, it would put a dent in the greatest State fair in the country.

You are correct. Only one trip per kid. The number of state fair trips is based on the number of exhibits in the project at the county fair. For our county there was 110 head of beef cattle including dairy strs. If you have at least 90% participation in Showmanship you get a bonus trip for the county. I think it ended up being about 14 or 15 animals getting to go between Hfrs., steers, cow calf pair, prospect calf and dairy steers.

The kids don't sell their animal at the county fair auction, just the "premium." This way they still have their animal for state fair the end of August. It can be a challenge if you have an early county fair and have to have a market animal close to ready then and then still be fresh and the right weight the last week in August. Sure makes for some nice classes at the state level.

Ron
<cowboy>

chevelle · Aug 5, 2010

iowabeef said:
Many county fairs are up in numbers....Floyd County had record numbers of cattle this year. They still have an auction that really supports the kids and that is why their numbers stay high. I think maybe the reason numbers are going down in some locations is because of the dwindling number of family farms. There simply aren't as many farm kids to keep the numbers up. I don't think the 20 to 30 animals state wide that stay home "saving them" for state will make a big difference in numbers.

Floyd county Iowa??? I had a buddy tell me there was a family that got busted for cheating!!!!

Show Heifer · Aug 5, 2010

I would like to see that requirement for Iowa. I think you should "earn" your way to the state level. I know a few years ago, the horse program in Iowa made the state fair a "free for all", so ANYONE could show, and it has been a disaster.
I do not think you should limit the number of projects a kid can take. If a kid/family is willing to work hard in sheep, cattle, and food preperation, and have superior projects then they deserve to go.
I think you should have to finish in the top half of your class in a livestock competition in order to qualify for state. The reasonings for this, is some fairs are tougher than others, and it wouldn't be fair to punish a great steer just because there was 3 great steers at that show.

I can hear the whining. Those that are in the same county as the "big dogs" will struggle, but again, that is the reasoning for the "top half of the class" requirement. I also know people do not want to show against "big dogs" top steer, but, that is life. Deal with it.
I also would like to think that some of those kids showing against "big dog" will get inspired and work harder. Just like going against someone for a job, you have to learn to learn, and learn to go up against those "untouchables".

Our county fair has been shrinking, but it has been due to the lack of caring, lack of pride, and lack of "want to" in the livestock division. There were pigs at our county fair that were never washed (at home or at the fair) There were calves that had halters put on them literally days before the fair and most had never been clipped. There were sheep that had actually LOST WEIGHT from weigh in to fair. Calves that gained .2 lbs. I have always said it isn't the money the project cost, but the pride in the project. Did I mention crap in stalls for days, and old feed in the stalls?
If I were in charge, many of these kids would have either been sent home, or would have taken a bit of pride in their projects. They had plenty of opportunity to go to clinics and ask for help.

It is pride people, it has nothing to do with money!!!

Dozer45 · Aug 5, 2010

Show Heifer said:
I would like to see that requirement for Iowa. I think you should "earn" your way to the state level. I know a few years ago, the horse program in Iowa made the state fair a "free for all", so ANYONE could show, and it has been a disaster.
I do not think you should limit the number of projects a kid can take. If a kid/family is willing to work hard in sheep, cattle, and food preperation, and have superior projects then they deserve to go.
I think you should have to finish in the top half of your class in a livestock competition in order to qualify for state. The reasonings for this, is some fairs are tougher than others, and it wouldn't be fair to punish a great steer just because there was 3 great steers at that show.

I can hear the whining. Those that are in the same county as the "big dogs" will struggle, but again, that is the reasoning for the "top half of the class" requirement. I also know people do not want to show against "big dogs" top steer, but, that is life. Deal with it.
I also would like to think that some of those kids showing against "big dog" will get inspired and work harder. Just like going against someone for a job, you have to learn to learn, and learn to go up against those "untouchables".

Our county fair has been shrinking, but it has been due to the lack of caring, lack of pride, and lack of "want to" in the livestock division. There were pigs at our county fair that were never washed (at home or at the fair) There were calves that had halters put on them literally days before the fair and most had never been clipped. There were sheep that had actually LOST WEIGHT from weigh in to fair. Calves that gained .2 lbs. I have always said it isn't the money the project cost, but the pride in the project. Did I mention crap in stalls for days, and old feed in the stalls?
If I were in charge, many of these kids would have either been sent home, or would have taken a bit of pride in their projects. They had plenty of opportunity to go to clinics and ask for help.

It is pride people, it has nothing to do with money!!!

Agree with you 100% I was one of three members in our FFA chapter to show Beef this year and the other tow girls had not pride in their projects. One calf got sifted because he had been thrown crappy hay all year, and they wondered why he wouldnt eat. And no one would take the time to give their steers water after they were bedded down at night. Mad me sad to see

LostFarmer · Aug 5, 2010

In Idaho you have to have a blue ribbon and show in showmanship to go to state. In horses counties get to send so many per class based on the numbers in the class and each kid can show 2 horse events. That way on kid on a great horse can't take all the slots but gets to choose which slots they want. With market animals if it crosses the scales at the county level it can not go to state. This causes the kids to raise 2 sets of animals. I personally only let my kids sell one animal. They choose which one that is. The county allows for a kid to sell 2. We have a white ribbon rule where a white ribbon animal does not sell this tends to keep poor animals out of the sale and if a kid misses the sale a few times they step up and get at it. Most animals with proper feed and effort will make at least a red ribbon. Most decent feeder steer when fed will grade and yield an acceptable carcass. LF

forcheyhawk · Aug 5, 2010

Show Heifer said:
I would like to see that requirement for Iowa. I think you should "earn" your way to the state level. I know a few years ago, the horse program in Iowa made the state fair a "free for all", so ANYONE could show, and it has been a disaster.
I do not think you should limit the number of projects a kid can take. If a kid/family is willing to work hard in sheep, cattle, and food preperation, and have superior projects then they deserve to go.
I think you should have to finish in the top half of your class in a livestock competition in order to qualify for state. The reasonings for this, is some fairs are tougher than others, and it wouldn't be fair to punish a great steer just because there was 3 great steers at that show.

I can hear the whining. Those that are in the same county as the "big dogs" will struggle, but again, that is the reasoning for the "top half of the class" requirement. I also know people do not want to show against "big dogs" top steer, but, that is life. Deal with it.
I also would like to think that some of those kids showing against "big dog" will get inspired and work harder. Just like going against someone for a job, you have to learn to learn, and learn to go up against those "untouchables".

Our county fair has been shrinking, but it has been due to the lack of caring, lack of pride, and lack of "want to" in the livestock division. There were pigs at our county fair that were never washed (at home or at the fair) There were calves that had halters put on them literally days before the fair and most had never been clipped. There were sheep that had actually LOST WEIGHT from weigh in to fair. Calves that gained .2 lbs. I have always said it isn't the money the project cost, but the pride in the project. Did I mention crap in stalls for days, and old feed in the stalls?
If I were in charge, many of these kids would have either been sent home, or would have taken a bit of pride in their projects. They had plenty of opportunity to go to clinics and ask for help.

It is pride people, it has nothing to do with money!!!

I was at a county fair last weekend where top half of the class wouldn't have worked. There were two quality animals in some of the classes and when I say quality I mean the type of quality that could do some damage at the State Fair. One class in particular where an animal that had done some Jackpot winning got 2nd in her class of 2. I've been to other County Fairs where some of those "qualifiers" may as well stay home. With such a large difference in county participation, I think you have to find a better way than top 1/2 of the class to qualify for State Fair - maybe take Jackpot points into consideration as well. I hate the thought of an exhibitor being left out because of low County participation.
Also, I don't think you solve the low county numbers by making the county fair a qualifier. Many of those kids that have the high powered steer at home are still showing something - replace that something with the steer they left at home and it's probably the same numbers or close to it. Just my opinion.

iowacattle · Aug 5, 2010

The hard part with a lot of county fairs in Iowa is they are the same time as state baseball or softball. Many of the counties rules are if you don't show your own animal then you don't show at all. Some people may say this will not affect that many kids to make a difference. You would be surprised because a lot of the hard working athletes are farm related kids. So this would cut down on county and state fair numbers.

Show Heifer · Aug 5, 2010

Forscheyhawk - I was hoping my "top half of the class" would address the issue of small AND large classes. If a county has 6 steers in a class and one of them happend to be "big dog", then the top would qualify. If the class has 12 steers then the top 6 would qualify....
I do not like the idea of having jackpot points, due to the fact, we have several families that can not afford to chase the weekend shows but do show at the state fair.

I agree that this probably won't help county fair numbers a huge amount.... but it would be nice to see the "best of the best" at the state fair...... gives the kids something to aim for!

As far as county participation, I wonder if the "adopt a kid" program wouldn't help a bit.... that would allow "non livestock owners" a chance to care for an animal... the only problem, you will have the professionals caring for the animals, and having the kid show up show day to hold the halters... oh wait, that already happens!
I think it is just a phase... things come and go as popularity ebs and flows... baseball will be hot for awhile, then football, then band, then swing dancing, then showing livestock. Hopefully we are just in the down swing and things will look up soon.

hevmando · Aug 5, 2010

A little more clarification for MN. You can bring 1 animal for livestock encampment to the State fair and 1 general project for that encampment. Also our high school sports activities for the most part are only during the school year so very few conflicts with the county fair though there are games during the state fair that some kids may miss if they attend the state fair. Our county fair had a great year with both livestock and general projects up about 10-15%.

forcheyhawk · Aug 5, 2010

I guess I don't like the idea of using the county fair as a state fair qualifier for cattle. I would rather see a regional or something like that if there needs to be a qualifier (which I'm still not sold that there does). I'll use Wayne County as my example. You have 40 head at the county fair tops. There's probably 6-10 head that would win most county fairs and probably 30 head that deserve to be at the State Fair based on quality. However, you go to another county and they have maybe 5 head out of 120 head that deserve to be at the State Fair but still qualify 60 head based on the taking 1/2 of the classes.

At this point, I think folks are good about not taking junk to the State fair already. I think you'd see folks shifting counties if you put something like that in place to ensure that they qualify.

DLD · Aug 5, 2010

My question here is why? If your state fair has more numbers than it can handle, then you need to have a pre-sift (like hogs going to Houston) - that would have to be the most fair way to determine the deserving projects get to participate. If not, why in the world would you want to restrict numbers? Yeah, I know there are projects that may not deserve to participate, but those folks aren't embarassing anybody but themselves. I do understand wanting to increase county fair participation, and I could see making participation (of the exhibitor) in the county fair a requirement for the state fair, but a placing requirement sounds like asking for trouble to me. You just think politics at your county fair can be bad now...

allaboutwho02 · Aug 5, 2010

My whole post doesnt have anything to do with sift or qualifying for the state fair. It has to do wih if the kid has one of those "Big dog" animals or NOT. They MUST show that animal at the county fair to be eligable to show at the state fair. No switching animals. You would have to take that one or 3 to the county fair to be able to take them to the State fair. Dont they use DNA and Retinal scanning anymore? So that could be monitered. So if there are 20 or 120 head at the county fair they are all eligable to go to the state fair. But making this mandatory to have to show at the county fair would make the County shows more competitave and help numbers tremendously for the majority of the countys. It it may help get more youth involved in showing or just 4-h. If Kids are in sports and other activities in the summer and it may interfere then I guess they will have to make a decision.
Great discussions everyone!

Iowa County Fairs low in numbers

Help Support Steer Planet:

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member