Showing Katahdins. NEED HELP!

[boykin2010]

I just heard that the Georgia National Fair will be allowing a class for Katahdin hair sheep next year. I am super excited and would love to learn how to show sheep. I know absolutely nothing about showing animals. I have never done it and neither has my parents. There is limited knowledge about showing sheep in my area because most people concentrate on cattle. I would really appreciate advice, tips, links and other resources on showing. I know it is a lot of work but I would like to know more. I already have a good stock of Katahdins and there is another breeder down the road where I could get the lamb to show.

What should I Join? FFA or 4-H? My school doesn't have these things so I am not sure if I can sign up or not or even the age limit.

Any help is appreciated...

Thanks

 

[kfacres]

go to a show to watch, learn, and help.

join 4H.

 

[boykin2010]

The problem is that there is no Katahdin shows to go to. Like I said, next year will be the first year they are allowing a hair sheep. I think there is wooled sheep shows but I've never been to one. I've been to a cattle show and helped before also.

Not exactly sure how to join 4-H. Would I just have to find the nearest club and join or can you do it over the internet?

 

[kfacres]

The problem is that there is no Katahdin shows to go to. Like I said, next year will be the first year they are allowing a hair sheep. I think there is wooled sheep shows but I've never been to one. I've been to a cattle show and helped before also.

Not exactly sure how to join 4-H. Would I just have to find the nearest club and join or can you do it over the internet?

a sheep show is a sheep show.. no difference other than preparation b/w breeds, wooled, slicked, or hair.

Contact your county's 4H office, they'll fix you up with a club closeby.

 

[TexasShepherdess]

Are you showing a breeding animal, market lamb or what?

"mylamb" is a decent resource for showing lambs and sheep.,.but bear in mind, it is geared more towards the traditional breeds and more towards market. There is a young lady on there "DownWithHair" who shows Kat's at some of the bigger shows..she might be a good resource for you.

 

[kfacres]

Are you showing a breeding animal, market lamb or what?

"mylamb" is a decent resource for showing lambs and sheep.,.but bear in mind, it is geared more towards the traditional breeds and more towards market. There is a young lady on there "DownWithHair" who shows Kat's at some of the bigger shows..she might be a good resource for you.

mylamb is a waste of time and a joke none- the less...

I know downwithhair personally, she lives just south of me, and I've judged her and her sheep at a few shows here and there.

 

[boykin2010]

I think I would be showing for breeding.
I am not sure though. I could show for market lamb. Is a market lamb a lamb that is sold at the fair to someone for meat afterwards. If so, then I will not be doing that.

If I end up participating in this I will only enter into shows where you will not be forced to sell the lamb.

Once I get some things figured out I may contact that member. I really think showing will be interesting. I am just wondering how much time I will have between school and running the farm.

 

[BrownSheep]

Showing isn't all that difficult to learn the basics. As for joining 4-h I would contact an extension office of your states land grant (Ag) school they should be able to enroll you and put you in touch with a club. For 4-h the age limit is 18. If you were 18 or younger on January 1st of 2012 you are young enough. Even if you are older than this I would bet you the 4-h folks would be happy to teach you any way.

For FFA your school would most likely need a chapter for you to be able to do it. In my state to be eligible to be a member you also have to take a semester of an Ag class. Over all I believe 4-h would probably go a bit more indepth in showing than FFA and touch a few more basics.

 

[purplequeenvt]

Showing is a lot of fun (although it can be stressful too!) it can also be helpful for figuring out where your breeding program should be heading. The best way to start is to go to some shows and watch how the other exhibitors present their animals (watch all the breeds - wool, meat, and hair - you can get tips from all). Ask lots of questions. See if you can find someone with the same or a similar breed to be your mentor.

4-H can be a helpful tool, but unless you find a group with a sheep specific focus, you not get all the help you want.

 

[TexasShepherdess]

Are you showing a breeding animal, market lamb or what?

"mylamb" is a decent resource for showing lambs and sheep.,.but bear in mind, it is geared more towards the traditional breeds and more towards market. There is a young lady on there "DownWithHair" who shows Kat's at some of the bigger shows..she might be a good resource for you.

mylamb is a waste of time and a joke none- the less...

I know downwithhair personally, she lives just south of me, and I've judged her and her sheep at a few shows here and there.

If you can wade thru the clubbie caca and politics..there is some information for a newbie on there..I was refered there when we started and got some good basic info...coupled with watching shows..either in person or youtube.

OP-some shows are "terminal", in the animal is sold after the sale. Others are non terminal..our county show is like this..we have a psuedo sale, because alot of our kids go to the bigger shows, which are terminal. (this is for market)