LAKELAND – Boscombe 4-H Multi Club has seen a big jump in membership from the previous year, with 12 new members adding up to a total of 21, plus three Cleavers, and also includes poultry and small animal projects. On Sunday, April 6, Boscombe’s Beef Project members took the road to Elk Point ‘s C. G. Baker Arena for an afternoon of learning and practicing their showing and grooming skills in readiness for their club achievement day at the end of May and the St. Paul District Show and Sale on June 2.
The Beef project newcomers got a start in the 4-H tradition of “Learning to do by doing,” starting out by taking part in the club’s Weigh Day on Nov. 11, with Ron and Maddisen Wirsta providing a haltering and leading demonstration.
Following a session in late January where Shaylyn and Shyanne Klatt from Elk Point gave the, group some helpful tips on speeches and impromptus, the members took part in the club’s Feb. 23 Communications event, Junior member Landon St. Arnault, Intermediate winner Ava Malette and Senior winner Nick Agnemark going in to compete in the District competition in Elk Point on March 1, where Nick, with his speech on ‘Healthy Living’ placing second in the Senior category.
The following day, the Beef members took a bus tour to all the members’ farms to check out how their steers and heifers and found a good selection of cattle that will do well come show season.
The April 6 event gave members an opportunity to put their animals through their paces, starting with walking them into the show barn and practicing walking in circles and lining up in a tidy row, which leader Randal Kuzma and Ron Wirsta assured them, “That’s what’s going to happen on show day.”
Another important a aspect of show day is the opportunity the members have to do some judging of their own, and were given some information on how to write on the judging cards, Kuzma suggesting members check out the 4-H book and YouTube videos on the subject, and telling them he will make sure they have the book and a judging card before show time so they can become more familiar with the process.
With all the steers led into the front preparation area of the arena and securely tied up, it was time for a grooming demonstration by senior member Maddisen Wirsta, who explained what tools are required to make the animals show ready and displayed the array of products she uses to make her steer look at his best, up to and including a product to cope with sun bleach.
Ron Wirsta added a tip for the members to get started on right away to make later grooming quicker and easier, “The more you brush them right now, the better. If your calf wants to love you, get out there and brush.”
Randal Kuzma added his own tip on grooming: “Don’t be scared to ask for help and information about anything, we’re all a big family and it’s a friendly competition.”
Maddisen went on to explain that a steer’s back has “high spots and low spots and we want to make the back line flat.” When clipping the steer’s face, “Use the ears as a reference for the line to the brisket,” and at the other end, “Make the tail head square with the body.”
Before going in the show ring, she advised a spray of final bloom on the steer’s forehead and feet “to make him look shiny.”
Wrapping up the session, Kuzma recommended trimming the steers two weeks ahead of show day, “Then they’ll be ready for the sale book.” He also suggested that members might want to gather in groups for the clipping and trimming sessions, as a way to share knowledge and helping the newer members gain confidence in the process.
