News from the U.P. State Fair

Photo by Martin Cathrae

The Upper Peninsula State Fair Authority recently approved a Market Goat Show and Sale for the 2011 Upper Peninsula State Fair.

After considerable research and under the direction of Tom Klink, Livestock Supervisor, and Jim Decremer, Dairy and Goat Superintendent, showing and selling market goats at the U.P. State Fair will become a reality in 2011.  Tom states that market goats have become a popular livestock project at fairs throughout the country and the U.P. State Fair will now offer this opportunity to exhibitors throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Goats must be at least 50% meat breed, born after December 1, 2010 and can be of either sex.  A minimum fair weight of 75 pounds is required and there is no maximum weight.  Goats with visible signs of fungus, prolapsed or sore mouth will not be allowed to exhibit.  No training spike collars will be allowed or used at the show.  Horns are optional.  The pre-entry deadline will be the same as for lambs and hogs  - June 1, 2011.  Pre-entry rules and forms will be mailed to Upper Peninsula MSU Extension offices in mid April.  The sale order of the top twelve goats will be determined by the judge and sold at the Junior Market Livestock Auction on Saturday, August 20, 2011.  This is a one-year trial program.

Ninety-four pre-entries have been received for this year’s Junior Steer Show and Sale.  Ear tags will be mailed to the 4-H leaders or individual exhibitors in March.  Ninety steers were sold at the 2010 U.P. State Fair Junior Market Sale.

Recent appointments to the U.P. State Fair Livestock Advisory Committee include Jim Kronemeyer, Pickford - Dairy Representative; Mark Veeser, Powers - Beef Representative; Carol Quist, Carney - Sheep Representative and Phillip Talsma, Skandia - Goat Representative.

The Livestock Advisory Committee will accept letters of interest for the newly created position of Youth Livestock Exhibitor Representative until April 15.  Letters should be submitted to the Upper Peninsula State Fair/Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 230 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829.

For additional information about any of the livestock shows, please contact Sandy Groleau, Exhibitor’s Manager, 906 384-6898 or Tom Klink, Livestock Supervisor, 906 644-7148.