The Erath County Jr. Livestock Show starts Tuesday, Jan. 5 and organizers have made some changes to the schedule and routine to make it safe for all its entrants and spectators, including offering an online option for the auction.
(The community can still help reward Dublin exhibitors the Dublin Buying Pool. More information found in the jump on page A9.) “Due to COVID and an awesome spike in entry numbers, we have had to make the difficult decision of modifying our schedule this year,” said Beverly Funderburgh, Chairman of the show, in an online release last month.
She announced that exhibitors will have to take their animals home as soon as their respective show has ended.
“No livestock will walk through the sale ring Saturday night, only kids with their ribbons,” Funderburgh said. “The Dairy heifers will remain on the show grounds for potential buyers to observe.”
“These decisions were not made lightly and were only made after much discussion and consideration by the Board in the best interest of our kids and their families,” Funderburgh added. “We are diligently working on getting as many Buyers as possible to the sale on Saturday night.”
Revised Schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 5
9 a.m. Breeding Doe Show
1 p.m. Breeding Rabbit (followed by Market Rabbit and Showmanship)
3 p.m. Goats and Lambs may arrive
Wednesday, Jan. 6
8 a.m. Market Goat Show followed by Market Lamb Show (Goats and Lambs must be removed from the grounds at the conclusion of their show)
11 a.m. Swine Move-In (Swine may not move into the Sheep and Goat pens until the end of the Lamb show)
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ag Mechanics Check-in and set-up
Thursday, Jan. 7
6 a.m. Beef Cattle may arrive
8 a.m. Ag Mechanics Show
10 a.m. Broiler Show
Noon Swine Show (Swine must be removed from the grounds after conclusion)
Friday, Jan. 8
Noon Market Steer Show by Beef Heifer Show (All beef cattle must be removed from the grounds at conclusion)
2 p.m. All tack must be removed from daily stalling area
3-6 p.m. Dairy Arrival and Check-In
Saturday, Jan. 9
8 a.m. Dairy Show (Heifers that qualify for sale will remain on grounds)
11 a.m. Horse Show at Lone Star Arena
5:30 p.m. Showmanship Recognition and Awards Presentation
6 p.m. Sale of Champions Auction
Auction Changes
Erath County Junior Livestock Show is hosting the annual 4H/FFA Livestock Auction in person this year on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
However, an additional online option for support will be offered this year due to COVID 19 safety concerns. Supporters are invited and encouraged to attend the in-person event held at the ECLA showgrounds or to contribute to Erath County’s outstanding youth through the online platform hosted at www. StockShowAuctions.com.
“These kids have been raising and caring for these animals for months, they have been dealt a challenge and with everyone’s support we can have a great sale for them.” said Beverly Funderburgh “These livestock projects teach responsibility, value of hard work, and a financial reward for their efforts which many will use for next year’s project or to further their education after high school.
The in-person and online sale will include about 230 market animals for sale. Through the new online process junior exhibitors will have the opportunity to hone their photography, videography, creative writing, digital media, sales and marketing skills in efforts to generate buyer interest in their project.
“We were adamant about designing a platform that was more than an auction site, we felt it necessary to enhance and extend the educational experience of the junior exhibitors. They may find something in this process that really appeals to them and changes their educational and future career track. We’ll count that as a big win for our service.” says Brent Graves with StockShowAuctions. com.
Businesses and individuals wishing to support the exhibitors can do so by bidding and purchasing the animal or they can place “Add-ons” in any amount.
Add-ons are straight donations to the exhibitor and no purchase is necessary. Graves added “The online opportunity allows these exhibitors to market their animal on social media, reaching out to family and friends that want to help but geographically they rarely participate and now they can.” A recent sale in Texas netted financial contributors from 26 states and four foreign countries. Graves did stress that the overall success of any premium sale is the efforts of local committee and local buyer participation.
Buyers can watch a short instructional video or print off written instructions, register on the site and begin participating once bidding opens on Saturday. The Erath County Livestock Association will collect all the funds as they always have.
Buyers are invited to visit the sale at www.StockShowAuctions.com or contact Beverly Funderburgh for more information or to begin participating in the annual auction.
Buying Pool
Every year, the county stock show offers a chance for youth to showcase all their hard work in training, feeding and grooming their livestock.
To make sure the exhibitors are properly rewarded, the buying pool helps Dublin youth fetch a good price for their animals during the auction that follows the judging.
The greater the amount of donations, the more students the buying pool can benefit.
Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can send a donation to: Dublin Buying Pool, c/o M&M Service Station, 304 E. Blackjack St., Dublin, TX 76446. Names of donators will be printed in the newspaper, but donation amounts will kept confidential.