The 4-H district calf weigh-in was held at the Western Pride Auction Market Sunday. 4-H Beef clubs from Bonnyville and Ardmore, as well as the Beaver Club, took part in the weigh-in.
At the weigh-in, club members' calves were ushered through the auction area one by one to be weighed. Following the weigh-in, for next few months, the calves are fed, halter trained and taken care of by a 4-H Beef Club member throughout the winter, in preparation for club and district shows, which take place the end of May.
Cassandra Michalyk, a 14-year-old club member from Bonnyville, said it's a lot of work preparing the calves for the shows in spring.
"You have to feed them before and after school, make sure they have water and you have to halter break them," she said.
Fellow club member, 14-year-old Shayla Dargis said, "By the end of May you should be able to trust the cow and the cow should trust you."
Both girls said 4-H has helped them with many skills they would not have otherwise acquired. "4H helps with leadership skills and your dedication," said Dargis.
"It also helps prepare you for public speaking," added Michalyk.
One of the organizers at the weigh-in, Elma Herde, said parents like having their kids in 4H because of the responsibility it teaches them.
After feeding and training the cow all winter, the cow is then auctioned off at the district show. The money paid for the cow goes to the 4-H club member for all his or her hard work, but the amount is dependent upon how the cow looks, acts, and of course how much it weighs.