From Randy’s Desk to You

 

Well another WIS-IL Show is over, and it was a great success!

We had 2 ADGA sanctioned show rings and an open youth ring all going at the same time.

There were 258 total head in the ADGA show and 58 in the youth show.

Most people I talked to felt it went very smoothly. It did run much later than I had planned but we will work on that for next year. I’m looking for, and hoping to get, any ideas you may have for next years show. I’m looking for ways to speed up the show and also suggestions on the barn clean up. Remember, next year we will also have Nigerian Dwarfs in our show. 

 

            I would like to thank those that helped keep the show running. Kelly Gordee was secretary in ring #2 with Lisa Heinen sitting at her side to help her out. They did a great job! My wife Mary, and “whom-ever she could grab” ran ring #1 and of course made it look so easy. Penny Kanable was in charge of the youth show, with Dixie Johnson keeping the kids in on deck and in order. They worked together like they had done it for years. Meanwhile I just went from ring to ring and helped were I could. Our judges Dave Daubert, Suzy Way, and Jennifer Vance did a great job.

 

Clean-up Saturday Morning was tough! We could have used more help and this is still an area that we need to work on for next year. There has to be a better way!

Clean up thank-you’s go to Doc Duemler, Mike Schemke, the Heinen-Brown Family, and Mary and the kids. A special Thank-You to Art & Barb Knilans!!!! They were generous enough to supply a dump truck and driver to haul out the bedding. It took 3 large loads that then had to be hauled to a farm north of Milton. It was the only place I could find to get rid of the bedding. Again, I am looking for and open to any suggestions on what to do with the bedding and how to get it out of the fair grounds. Someone suggested raising the pen fees enough to pay for someone to remove it for us. This should not have to be an option.

           

            The club made almost $500 on the show after all expenses were paid. Some people do not reanalyze the cost to sponsor a show. Here are some of the major expenses;

 

            $400 to $500 ADGA sanction fees

            $850+ Judges fee (3 judges)

            $100+ Judges motel rooms

            $275 Fair ground rent

 

Now add Trophies, Ribbons, Show flyers, Stamps, Advertising, Shavings for the show ring, Ect.

I know some 4-H members did not understand why they had to pay entry fees and pen fees. I don’t think they realized that we had to rent the fair grounds, pay for the judge, supply ribbons, and clean up after the show. Their entry fees were half what the fees were for the open ADGA show. I hope the youth exhibiters had a chance to meet some of the fine breeders at the show and see some of the quality goats that were there.

 

            The next project for us is another fall clinic. Last year’s clinic went very well and we all learned something. We need your suggestions for topics! It will be the second Saturday in October and most likely at the Rock County Fair Grounds like last year. Send me your ideas and ask the 4-H members you know what they would like to see at a clinic. There has been talk of a 4-H club goat-judging contest. If there is enough interest we could hold this at the fall clinic too. I’ve also had it suggested to have a “Fall select animal sale”. I’d like to know how many people would be interested in this.

 

            Well it’s time to go milk “the girls” and get ready for next week’s show in Elkhorn!

See you in the show rings, and keep in touch.

 

Randy