purchasing | handling | feeding | water | transportation | show site management | feed and bedding | equipment | fitting | showing | show guidelines and rules | sportsmanship
Introduction: Future Farmers, 4-H members, and lamb and goat keepers exhibit their animals at hundreds of county, state, regional, national, and international shows and fairs each year. These shows provide an opportunity for lamb and goat producers and junior livestock producers to show the public the results of their efforts. Livestock shows can be interesting and educational, and many animal owners enjoy the opportunity to have their animals in competition. Although showing requires a great deal of time and energy, there are many positive aspects to attending shows as either an exhibitor or a spectator.
Shows can provide a good learning experience. Many people show to get an opinion of their animals from a judge who is objective and experienced in appraising conformation. Acting as a ‘’ringside judge’’ and comparing personal placings and reasons with those of the show judge helps in developing an eye for desirable characteristics. Additional insights can also be gained by simply listening to the judges’ reasons for making placings. Many people enjoy showing their animals, and the competition against other breeders helps owners learn how to select animals and present them at their best. If the animals do well at the show, owners gain confidence in their animal husbandry skills and an increased awareness of the relative worth of their animals.
Purchasing Sheep and/or Goats:
There are a few different ways to purchase animals for exhibiting. The most
common ways are by "private treaty" and "auction." Private treaty is where the
person purchasing the show animal will go directly to a producer’s farm and
purchase the animals by private contract or arrangements. This is the preferred
way for a new showperson to purchase show stock. Generally, the producer will
take time to help the prospective showperson and point out what they should be
looking for in a quality animal. Often the producer will give the first time
exhibitor a break on price. As expected, prices vary according to region, breed
background, producer notoriety, and supply in the area.
Auctions or club lamb or goat sales are another means for purchasing show animals. The auction is generally fast paced and many people are biding on the same animal at the same time. It is very easy for a first time bidder to get frustrated and confused during an auction. The price of animals will vary at auctions, however some high quality animals can be found. To find where and when auctions are taking place, ask a local vocational ag instructor or county extension agent.
The techniques and procedures for fitting and showing sheep and goats vary according to animal species, breed, and function (i.e. meat, milk and/or fiber). The remarks that follow cover general management skills related to fitting and showing sheep and goats.
Pre-Showing Management:
Handling: The novice who waits until the last minute to start fitting his/her animals often has problems and makes the most common mistakes. In the rush, the animals can go off feed, scour, founder, or develop other problems. The experienced showperson knows that he/she will have to start early to gradually bring their animal up to a peak of preparedness, and then keep them at that level. The experienced showperson also knows that his/her animals need to become accustomed to being away from other animals and being handled. It is also essential that the show animal learn to stand and be a quiet subject of attention in the show ring, rather than nervous, excited and perhaps uncontrolled.
Feeding: To keep a show animal from going off feed all through the fitting and showing process is a true art in the livestock showing business. Many showpeople have their own ideas about secret ration formulas and special training devices that worked for them. However valid these may be, it is far more important to avoid abrupt change and to be consistent in a feeding schedule.
Most market animals are fed high energy grains or concentrates, such as corn, barley, sorghum grains, and oats. Market animals need a high-energy ration to acquire a high degree of growth and tissue development, along with an appropriate amount of finish or body condition. The ration should also be palatable. Because the amount of fed for each animal will vary so much, it would not be appropriate to give a hard and fast rule of thumb on the amount.
Sheep and goats should be started on grain rations slowly and gradually brought up to what is referred to as "full-feed." A full feed of grain may range from a low of 2.5 pounds per day to several pounds per day per head, depending upon factors such as breed, weight of animal, and length of time until it will be exhibited.
The consumption of hay and/or pasture are also important in the complete feeding of small ruminants. Some experts recommend feeding all the roughage the animal can consume, while others recommend very minimum levels. The point to remember is that a growing lamb/kid does have limited gastrointestinal capacity, so some balance between grain and roughage intake must be determined for optimum growth. Care must also be exercised to avoid the potbellied or "haybellied" condition which results from too much roughage.
Show animals being pushed for rapid gains must be vaccinated first for enterotoxemia (overeating disease, pulpy kidney disease) prior to going on the show feeding regime. See page F203 for additional details about this disease.
Water: Water is another important, but much overlooked, consideration that can make the difference in a showperson’s success. Many producers express concern about an animal’s runny nose following trucking and hauling, and a lack of water consumption due to the change in the taste of the water at the show site. A good way to treat the runny nose situation is to use "expectorant" products (cough syrups) that can be added to the drinking water (use human label directions and dose according to weight). They help in the liquification and removal of heavy throat and nasal discharges. Many contain flavoring agents, such as anise (licorice-like), which mask the flavor of strange water supplies. The animals will drink the water more readily if the additives are present.
Other more common ways to hide the water flavor can be achieved by adding products such as Kool-Aid®, fruit-flavored Jello® powder, vanilla, molasses, etc. These work if they are used in the animal’s home water supply prior to the fair or show to avoid a sudden change at show time.
The animal’s mineral requirements are also often overlooked by owners. Certain combinations of heat, dehydration, lack of salt in the ration, and a change in the source of water can result in serious consequences. In many instances, the animals are brought to the show, but the salt feeder is left in the pasture or paddock. The stress factors such as confinement, blanketing, fitting, trucking, and excitement are all likely to increase the animal’s loss of body fluids. Mineral elements, called electrolytes, are also lost from the body with the extra fluid loss. It is important that these electrolytes be replaced, and the feeding of trace-mineralized salt in a granular form is one way to help maintain this critical balance.
Transportation: It is required by law that livestock have official health papers when crossing state lines. In some cases, a similar requirement may also be in effect when attending exhibitions within the same state. Thus, it is imperative to become aware of these requirements before moving the sheep or goats. Each state has their own requirements regarding examination, vaccinating, and the scrapie I.D. program for sheep. Because of this, show officials and local veterinarians should be contacted well in advance of the show.
It is important to have a clean truck or trailer when hauling show livestock. The truck or trailer should be properly ventilated, but not too drafty. It should also have good flooring for stable footing. There should be no sharp edges, rough corners, or sharp points within the hauling body that may injure or bruise the show stock. The animals should not be packed so tightly that it interferes with air circulation. In extremely hot weather, place a burlap sack filled with ice where the air currents will contact the ice and carry cool air to the animals. A good exhibitor will try to keep the stress of hauling to a minimum. It is also important to have proper loading and unloading facilities to prevent any possible injuries or broken legs due to poor conditions at the departure and arrival points.
Show Site Management: As soon as they arrive at the show, animals should be unloaded and settled into pens with bedding, feed, and water, especially if they have been traveling very far or the weather is unpleasant. Once the animals are bedded down, registration and health papers can be taken to the show secretary. Realize that some show rules may require health checks before unloading. Animals generally have to be checked prior to the start of the show by the show veterinarian. He/she has the authority of dismissing animals from the show if they are sick or appear to be a potential health threat for other exhibitor’s animals. There are usually copies of the show program available that contain the schedule of classes and special instructions.
Extra space should be available adjacent to the animals for equipment and feed. Exhibitors are responsible for the care of their animals throughout the show. This includes providing clean bedding, feed, and fresh water as needed. It usually takes sheep and especially goats a while to settle down into the show routine. This is particularly true if they have not been shown before. Walking the animals around the ring before the show starts helps them feel more relaxed when it is time for their class.
Once at the show, the feed and water equipment must be clean. The best way to control this situation is to provide your own equipment. Cleanliness of pens, equipment, and feed is necessary in the prevention of infections that may lead to diarrhea, shipping fever, or other problems. Not overfeeding and providing a good supply of clean, fresh water can help prevent these conditions. On hot days, it is also essential to provide plenty of shade and fans for proper ventilation.
Attempts to shrink or fill an animal in order to change its weight should be avoided. A good, honest exhibitor will have his/her animal ready before the show (excluding last minute fitting tasks). Keep in mind that these show animals are under a great deal of stress due to changes of environment, changes in feed, irregularity of feeding, noise, and excitement. Even the best exhibitor cannot get rid of all the stressors; however, many of them can be minimized. It is important that exhibitors do not impose unnecessary sources of stress on their animals.
Feed and Bedding: Some shows will provide a supply of hay and straw for sale. Check ahead of time to see whether they will be available. Many exhibitors prefer their own hay so their animals will not have a change in diet. The following is a list of things that may need to be brought from home:
Equipment: Depending upon budget and space the following items should be brought to the show. Some of these items may be considered for purchase if they cannot be borrowed:
For All Animals:
Goats & Dairy Goats Only:
General Pen Maintenance Equipment:
Personal Items: Many exhibitors prefer to spend the night in the barn with their animals. Personal items that may be needed include the following:
Fitting: The main goal of preparing sheep or goats for exhibition is to emphasize the animal’s good points and make its weak points less noticeable. The newcomer to the show ring should become familiar with preferred characteristics of the species of animal and the breed with which he or she plans to work. Obtaining this knowledge may require studying animals at other shows or fairs. It may involve reading breed literature or visiting other notable and respected sheep or goat breeders.
Fitting animals for the show ring or sale is aimed at improving the appearance of the animal for public viewing. If done correctly and honestly, this will enhance the value of the animal. In general, two of the primary steps in the preparation of animals include shaping and cleaning their fleece or other fibers. Depending upon the species and breed, trimming is permitted. Hooves should be trimmed a few days before the show. Fitting, trimming and slick shorn animal requirements in market classes vary from state to state, region to region, as well as show to show. It is paramount that the showperson acquire all of the rules and specifications for the specific show he/she plans to attend. As mentioned earlier, a great deal of variance exists in the show circuits in the United States.
Showing: Exhibitors should wear appropriate clothes to show their animals, such as clean jeans or slacks and a white shirt or blouse. Animals should be brought to the ringside a few minutes before the start of their class. Exhibitors should know the birth date of each of their animals in the ring and where the animal was obtained, if not bred and reared personally.
Watching the class ahead will give the showperson an idea of the judge’s procedure and preferred method of lining up animals. When entering the ring, lead slowly and gracefully in a clockwise direction. When walking around the ring, leave about 3 feet between your animal and that of other exhibitors. Leave about 2 feet between animals when lined up head to tail or side by side. Stay attentive to the judge, but also be aware of your animal and what it is doing.
The showperson should keep the show animal between them and the judge at all times. When changing sides, move around the sheep or goat’s head and change hands on the animal or its collar (for goats) if allowed. Keep the collar (goats) high on the goat’s neck, holding it at the top of the neck, just behind the ears. This gives better control over the animal’s movements and keeps the head up high enough so that the animal has an attractive carriage.
After the animals have walked around the ring a few times, the judge will ask the exhibitors to form a line with their animals, usually side by side or possibly head to tail. When setting up an animal in line, pose the animal with its feet squarely under its body and its hind feet slightly spread. It is usually easiest to set up the hind feet first. The back feet can be placed in the proper position by pressing back on the opposite shoulder or by picking up the leg between the hock and pastern and setting it down.
Once the animal is well placed, let it stand quietly. Try to avoid touching or handling the animal as much as possible when it is set up. This will avoid drawing the judge’s attention away from the show animal. Talking quietly to the animal or lightly rubbing his/her belly or side nearest the showperson keeps the animal alert and contented. Some exhibitors prefer to squat beside their animal while they are waiting in line. However, do not kneel on the ground, and be sure to stand up when the judge approaches.
Be ready to restrain the animal if necessary while the judge examines it. This can be done in two ways: (1) put your knee in front of the animal’s shoulder so that it cannot move forward; and (2) grasp a front leg between the knee and the pastern and flex the leg back against the chest.
If the judge asks the showperson to change places in the ring, lead the animal forward out of the line, and then up or down the line to the place indicated. Then move back through the line, making a U-turn to get back into position. Do not back the animal into a different position unless the distance is short.
Watch the judge closely and respond quickly when the judge indicates the placings in the final line-up. Be aware of show procedures; first and second place winners in each class are usually expected to remain at ringside to compete for champion. In some shows, the judge will check tattoos and/or ear tags and the show secretary will check registration papers for all breed champions before they leave the ring.
Conformation of the animal is not considered in showmanship classes; only how well the animal is prepared and shown. The secret of good showmanship is to control the animal in such a manner that the judge sees the animal at its best but never notices the person doing the showing. Showmanship classes help teach poise, courtesy, and the ability to stay calm, even under pressure. They give exhibitors an opportunity to show how well they can prepare and exhibit animals. They also encourage good husbandry; animals that can be successfully groomed to look as good as possible for a show are those that are well fed and cared for, in good health, and generally of good type.
In showmanship classes, the judge looks for exhibitors that recognize the conformation weaknesses of their animals and show them effectively to overcome those weaknesses. Exhibitors are sometimes asked by the judge to trade animals so that the judge can see how well they handle strange animals.
Show Guidelines and Rules:
Observing the following guidelines will help make shows more enjoyable and
worthwhile:
Participants in any show, exhibition or fair must remember that there are winners and losers. An important ingredient of any successful show is the expression of good sportsmanship by all participants. It is impossible for a judge at any show to please everybody. Loud complaining and boisterous expressions of dissatisfaction about the placing of the livestock creates an uncomfortable and unfair environment, especially for those who are novices and competing for the first time. It sets a poor example when experienced competitors loudly proclaim why they should have won. A poor loser or a boastful winner rarely keep the respect of his or her fellow exhibitors.