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4-H members work together in hot weather

Aizlyn Swartz, 11, washes a sheep during the opening day of the Butler County Fair, Sunday, July 26, in Hamilton. Staff photo by Nick Graham

Nick Graham/MBR Aizlyn Swartz, 11, washes a sheep during the opening day of the Butler County Fair, Sunday, July 26, in Hamilton. Staff photo by Nick Graham

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer Updated 8:09 AM Tuesday, July 28, 2009

HAMILTON — When it comes to animal care at Butler County Fair, a lot depends on the temperatures, which are expected to reach a high for the week today, today, July 28.

In these temperatures — forecast to peak in the high 80s today, it’s a team effort for 4-Hers as they keep checking their animals, said a 4-H adviser. And working together saves time.

“It’s kind of hard to do it by yourself. That’s one of the great things about fair,” said Toni Schwab, Milford Mini Farmers 4-H club adviser.

It was getting hot Monday afternoon, so some Milford Mini club members worked together to take three pens of hogs to get washed, get a drink and turn on fans, said Schwab. They also took care of another club’s pen, she said.

Lending a hand was Amy Janos, 16, who showed her lamb Monday at the fair and had to keep a fan on it at all times. She said every time she took the cover off the lamb, she wiped it with a rag.

“This way he’ll be more comfortable and work better for me so I don’t have to deal with him being fussy and in a bad mood,” said Janos, of Oxford and member of Milford Mini and Talawanda Future Farmers of America.

If it gets too hot, the animals could get heat stroke, overheat or stop eating, said Jeff Hazel, 19, of Trenton.

“This year it’s not that bad compared to years when it gets up to the 100s,” said Hazel, who takes hogs and is also a member of Milford Mini.

“I have lots of animals here, so whenever it gets hot, I try to walk them late, late at night or really early in the morning when there’s no sun,” said Madison Saylor, 13, of Oxford. Saylor is also a member of Milford Mini and takes hogs, sheep, goats and steer.

So maybe teamwork has to do with unique fair conditions.

Aaron Hoerst, 18, of Harrison, has a climate controlled barn at home. But at the fair, “it’s hard to keep them cool”, so he rinses his steer, and keeps it watered and fed. Hoerst is a member of Ross Ranchers.

Temperatures are forecasted to hit a week high today of 87 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. There’s also a chance for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to the Weather Service.

Calling all winners

We plan to take photographs each day of those who win first place at the fair. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today through Friday, staff members will be located outside of the Farm Zone building.

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A "climate controlled barn at home" for his steer!!! What kind of livestock or farm experience is that - "Green Acres"? Things must be rough down on the "farm" these days. I would think that it would be stressful and unhealthy for animals that can endure the outside elements to have to deal with real weather and temperature fluctuations, after being "coddled" in a climate controlled environment.
My, how times have changed.

das
12:09 PM, 7/28/2009

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