From left: Students McCady Bogdanowich, Churchill County 4-H; Taylor Sowersby, Oasis Academy FFA; and Zachary Lewis, 4-H, were last week’s guest speakers at the Fallon Rotary Club luncheon.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
Members of the county’s 4-H and FFA programs drummed up interest for the Churchill County Junior Livestock Show by attending lunch last week with the Fallon Rotary Club and the Fallon Chamber of Commerce.
Although many activities are planned in conjunction with the livestock show, the main dates are April 4 and April 24-26. Members of the Grange, 4-H and FFA and independent students will Walk the Town next week to promote the show, and at the end of the month, they will show their animals. The actual sale is April 26.
Karen Bogdanowicz, a community-based instructor with the University of Nevada Extension, said the youth will exhibit their beef, sheep, swine, goat and poultry in addition to market and breeding project animals.
McCady Bogdanowich and Zachary Lewis, both 4-H members, and Taylor Sowersby, an Oasis Academy FFA member, spoke at the Rotary Club. Allie Fait, a Churchill County High School FFA student, joined the other three at the chamber luncheon.
Bogdanowich told the Rotary members she’s been involved with 4-H for six years. She shows rabbits.
“The 4-H program has taught me a lot, especially in leadership,” she said.
Bogdanowicz said raising animals and preparing them for shows takes dedication. Every morning, she feeds her animals no matter the weather.
“It has also taught me hard work,” she said.
In addition to her rabbits, she has a steer weighting 1,200 pounds. Over time, Bogdanowicz has increased her strength so the steer doesn’t pull her.
Bogdanowicz told the Rotarians the students must keep records which includes a project narrative and information on themselves.
“I want to raise high quality livestock and start a breeding program,” she said.
Lewis focused his speech on the cost to raise a steer. He said feed can cost $2,000 for a 700-pound steer, and many show steers could cost twice that amount.
“The cost of my feed will be close to $1,000,” he added. “”4-H and FFA members could spend up to $2,000 if they’re using bag feed.”
He said a key virtue in taking care of livestock is having patience. During the year, Lewis said it’s challenging to take care of the animals, especially breaking the ice that has frozen the water or clearing the water trough in the summer.
Sowersby is a sophomore at Oasis Academy and has been showing animals since she was 2 years old. One of the activities she enjoys in FFA is public speaking, and she focused her comments to the Rotarians on the livestock industry and the rights and welfare associated with animal care.
When she was younger, Sowersby began raising hogs, but she said producers must do what is best for the animals.
“These animals can't speak for themselves, so we as stewards must find and make the best decisions for them,” she said.
Sowersby said the various livestock events have rules against inhumane treatment of show animals. She has attended shows by prioritizing the animals’ welfare with proper feeding and ensuring leaders become knowledgeable.
“FFA and 4-H teach proper animal care,” she said.