MARCH/APRIL 2012
MIDWEST HORSE SOURCE 7
NEWS • COVERAGE • UPCOMING EVENTS
MIDWEST ROUNDUP Show Ring Success Livestock Seminar–Purina’s 2nd Annual Seminar draws over 150
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n preparation for the 2012 livestock show season, over 150 students and parents attended the 2nd Annual Purina® Honor Show Chow® Show Ring Success Seminar at Joliet Junior College on Saturday, March 10th. Students had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to enhance their knowledge of nutrition, selection, management, grooming and showmanship on Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, and Boer Goats. All the presentations included live animal demonstrations. Professional presenters included: • Honor Show Chow® National Ambassador Bob May from Mineral Point, WI. Bob is an accomplished showman, fitter and breeder of top quality cattle. Bob and his family have had several Champion Beef animals at the National and State level. • Honor Show Chow® National Ambassador Mark Johnson provided information on lambs. Mark along with his wife Amy and daughter Emily operate A&M Ranch near Sandwich, IL. A&M Ranch produces and offers for sale
reproduction, selection and general husbandry. The winners received prizes from industry sponsors for first, second and third place.
Bennett Grant, Gardner, IL won clippers at the clinic. Bennett is a member of Coal City Community 4-H Club. Photo courtesy of Dan Ward, Tri-County Stockdale high quality Southdown lambs for breeding and show. The Johnson’s are responsible for many award winning Southdown lambs at national and state shows. • Rodney and Lori Meyer owners of Hillside Stock Farm educated the group on the management, grooming, and showmanship of boer goats. The Meyer family has developed many Grand and Reserve Champion boer goats. They offer for sale top quality animals to local 4H and FFA members. Hillside Stock Farm is located near Chebanse, Illinois. Rodney and Lori are assisted on the farm by their
The University of Illinois Extension sponsored a Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Certification administered by Mr. Doug Thurnau. The Will County Livestock Judging team parents offered a great lunch as a fundraiser for their organization.
The Purina® Sales team offers special thanks to Brad Angus and his staff at Joliet Junior College; John Davis, Alesha Benedict and staff from the University of Illinois Extension; Jacob Tol, (JJC Student), Utica, IL for providing the cattle. Area Purina® Dealers whose generous support funded this event include: Tri County Stockdale, Midland Crossing Mercantile, Most Feed & Garden, Feed n Time Feeds, Northern Partners Cooperative, Andres Wilton Farmers Grain, and Brothers Country Supply. Contact Kirk Dailey, Kindra Callahan or Paul Homb for your show feed needs.
children Madelyn, Marshall, Maya and Macy. • Honor Show Chow® Sales Specialist, Tracy Coffland offered the attendees advice on proper pig selection, feeding and showmanship of hogs. Tracy is an experienced showman and fitter for all species with a special emphasis on pigs. Tracy and his wife Amanda Coffland reside near Blairstown, IA with their two children. A highlight of the event was the Skill-a-Thon, where the young people grouped by age tested their skills and knowledge in areas of animal health,
Illinois Horse Fair's first-ever Queen,
Anne Marie Connelly of Highland, IL, accompanied by Horsemanship winner Jessica Winter, visit with Illinois Ag Director Bob Flider (right) and Horsemen's Council of Illinois Executive Director Frank Bowman. Crowned in ceremonies Saturday night during the 23rd annual Illinois Horse Fair, attended by more than 10,000 horse owners, Queen Anne Marie made her first official appearance Sunday at the Council booth at Horse Fair.