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Rafter center hosts junior livestock show

4-H and FFA students show their animals at the long-running county event

FFA and 4-H students recently “Walked the Town” to solicit support for the annual Churchill County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, which begins Thursday. The students stopped in a Churchill County Federal Credit Union and dropped off literature on the show. From left are the credit union’s CEO Gary Cordes, Jackson Barbee, Rio Segura, Ryder Segura, Cody Frey and Riggin Stonebarger.

FFA and 4-H students recently “Walked the Town” to solicit support for the annual Churchill County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, which begins Thursday. The students stopped in a Churchill County Federal Credit Union and dropped off literature on the show. From left are the credit union’s CEO Gary Cordes, Jackson Barbee, Rio Segura, Ryder Segura, Cody Frey and Riggin Stonebarger.

By Steve Ranson

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

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One of the premier junior livestock shows in Nevada opens today and with the youth from the county’s 4-H groups and the FFA will present their animals at the fairground’s new Rafter 3C Center.
Karen Bogdanowicz, the 4-H based instructor, said at last week’s Fallon Rotary Club meeting, the event will be the first livestock show in the center. According to Bogdanowicz, the show and sale allows students to demonstrate the skills they have attained in project management, decision making and project evaluation. She said volunteers began setting up tents last week.
Today, the presenters will bring their animals to show, and on Friday, the students will bring their market animals to be judged. The auction is 1 p.m. Saturday.
Bogdanowicz said the students will reinvest the money they receive from their animals. Additionally, she said the presenters have learned more about livestock and where food comes from.
“We do a lot of community service as well,” Bogdanowicz said.

Steve Ranson / LVN
Under the sign in the back row from left are 4-H and FFA students Trace McKnight, Trey Bradley, Claire Barbee, Stephanie Tidwell, Jackson Barbee, Riggin Stonebarger, Rio Segura and Josh Gusewelle. Front row from left are Ella Segura, Macady Bogdanowicz, Jameson Barbee, Cody Frey and Ryder Segura.

 


Rabbits will not be shown with the other animals this year. Bogdanowicz said rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly contagious fatal disease in rabbits. It was detected in 2020, the third time since 2018. RHDV2 affects both domestic and wild rabbits.
“We’ll show the rabbits privately this year,” she said. “Next year, we’ll have them back together.”
Three presenters representing two groups also spoke to the Rotarians at last week’s luncheon. High-school student FFA student Eddie Morrow discussed his Yorkshire/Hampshire cross pig.
“It’s been so fun so far,” he said, adding he’s found it easy to work with the pigs. “It’s been neat to have people from 4H and FFA around to help me.”
Morrow said his hogs average about 250 pounds.
Kaitlyn Doss has been showing for six year, the first four for 4-H and the last two years for FFA. The Churchill County High School sophomore said she’s been working with bulls and goats. She said her Black Angus bull weights 1,100 pounds.
“I enjoy showing livestock,” she said. “It brings out the best in me.”
Doss said she will continue showing animals until she graduates.
Macady Bogdanowicz said she has shown rabbits and chickens.
“I love 4-H. It takes up my time,” she said. “I’m a very busy, busy girl, and I’d like to see you at the livestock show.”
Both the show and sale include swine, sheep, beef, goat and poultry as well as market animal, showmanship and all breeding stick classes.
 During the show, Bogdanowicz said judges grade students for their showmanship, and the overall winners in each category will be announced on Saturday. The auction begins after potential buyers have the morning to look at the animals designated for sale.
Bogdanowicz said the county’s Junior Livestock Show and Sale has been successful because of the  community’s support. If buyers cannot attend Saturday’s sale, she said they may designate someone as an agent to purchase on their behalf or the local 4-H office with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will assist interested buyers as well with a pre-signed contract.
For questions, call Bogdanowicz at 775-427-2480.

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