Italy FFA members head to the Fort Worth Stock Show

Barry Byers Posted January 21, 2010 8:30pm Italy ISD School Clubs

Good luck to members of the Italy FFA who gathered outside Hobbs Feed & Supply this morning to stock up on feed and supplies before leaving for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The goal for the day is to carry two loads of heifers to Fort Worth, settle in for a few days, win money and ribbons and then return to Italy on Monday. Often, exhibitors choose not to sell their heifers and will keep them to help start their own herd and possibly raise show calves.

On Thursday, Italy FFA members will repeat the process except they’ll be hauling their steers to the show. The main objective for these exhibitors is to have their steer make the sale and earn money to put toward next years FFA project.

Interest in the Fort Worth Livestock Show continues to be very strong. In 2009, participants traveled to Fort Worth from 41 states, three foreign countries and livestock entries totaled 22,149. Total gross receipts from 17 auctions added up to $5,660,416.

For many, the highlight of the livestock exhibition each year is the Sale of Champions, where the best young exhibitors get their payoff for a whole year of hard work. These 4-H and FFA members put in countless hours of labor while feeding and grooming the animals and preparing them for their big moment in the ring.

The 2009 Sale of Champions was a rousing success, raising more than $2 million for 275 steers, barrows, lambs and goats.

Click here for information regarding the Fort Worth Stock Show

Just wanted to inform everyone that we have several FFA members that will be participating in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo this weekend showing their scramble heifers in case you would like to come out and support them. – Karen Brummett

Saturday the following FFA members will be showing:

8:00 am – Shorthorns – David Garner

1:00 pm – Beefmaster and Polled Hereford and Herefords – Ethan Simon, Omar Estrada and Jon Walton

Sunday the following FFA members will be showing:

8:00 am – Maine-Anjou – Clayton Campbell

1:00 pm – Angus – Brandon Souder

Monday the following FFA members will be showing:

8:00 am – Simmental – Bailey Bumpus

Going to the show! — Members of the Italy FFA prepare to mount up for the drive to Fort Worth. (Barry Byers)

Parents get involved — Mark Souder, on the left, pitches in to help ensure his son Brandon Souder, second from the right, and the Italy FFA have a successful experience. (Barry Byers)

Larry gets ’em smiling — Italy School Board Member Larry Eubank gets the fellas excited about the trip. (Barry Byers)

Cattle drive — The Italy FFA will take a load of heifers to Fort Worth today, grab a bunk at a Hotel, return to Italy on Monday and then head back to the livestock show on Thursday with two trailer loads of steers. (Barry Byers)

Mount up! — Italy FFA members get mounted into their modern-day horses for the trip to Fort Worth. (Barry Byers)

Wish me luck! — Look out, Fort Worth, here we come! When asked if they nervous about their debut in the ring, one Italy FFA heifer exclaimed, “Moo.” (Barry Byers)