Kids raising kids : Rearing goats gaining popularity among youth
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times Abbi Wilhite, 6, hugs the goat she is about to show Wednesday during the meat goat show at the Washington County Fair in Fayetteville. Each year at the fair, members of 4-H and the Future Farmers of America show a variety of animals they have raised on their local family farms.
Cabrina Raible knows the secret to raising a prize meat goat.
"We stick her feed pail up high so she has to use her back legs to reach it," the Cane Hill resident said. "It helps make them stronger, which is something the judges always look for."
Raible was one of more than 40 juniors who competed in the Washington County Fair's Meat Goat competition on Wednesday. Her goat, Ruby, placed first in the small breed class.
"We're so proud of her," said Raible's dad, Chris. "This is only her second year to compete."
Though contestants sheared, washed and dried their goats in preparation for Wednesday's contest, most agree that day-to-day maintenance is key to raising a prize meat goat.
"She has to feed and water her everyday," Chris Raible said of his daughter's goat-rearing responsibilities. "It teaches her self-discipline. She's also learned a lot about business management. She's paid for all the feed herself over the last several years, while managing to keep her grades up and stay on the honor role. The positives are great."
Cabrina Raible was one of five winners in each class, who went on to compete against each other in a final round on Wednesday.
The goats were judged on various features, including muscle volume, function and structural correctness.
Brandi Wilhite, assistant superintendent for this year's competition, said the interest in raising meat goats has grown in recent years.
"I don't know why, but it's definitely becoming more popular," she said. "I think the kids like it because the goats are easier to handle. "
According to the National Meat Goat Association, the demand and price for goat meat has continued to increase over the past five years.
"We've been doing the meat goat competition for about four or five years, and I've never seen this many contestants," Wilhite said.
While most goat owners understand the long-term goal of raising goats for meat, some have a harder time letting go than others.
"It's hard to not get attached," Prairie Grove resident Vickie Peoples said. "That's why we try not to name them. Sometimes you just can't help it though."
Peoples attended Wednesday's competition with her granddaughter. Despite the attachment they've formed with each of their goats, Peoples said they plan to compromise by selling one of their goats this year and keeping the other to breed.
"That way, we'll have another goat for next year's competition," she said. "Plus, if we win any money, we'll use it to pay for their feed."
The Washington County Fair opened Saturday, with the carnival beginning Tuesday night. Fair gates will reopen at 10 a.m. today through Saturday. Thursday night at 6: 30 p.m. marks the Junior Livestock Auction. Friday night is Midnight Madness on the midway, and gates will remain open until 3 a.m. Midway armbands are $ 30 a piece and allow customers access to unlimited carnival rides.
For more information, contact the Washington County extension office at 444-1755.
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