Get a moooooove on to the fair / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Livestock goes on display

Twelve-year-old Reese Randall, Lawrence, tries to lead a steer into the livestock arena Tuesday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. Most 4-H members got their animal entries into the pens by the early evening.

By Alexander Parker

July 30, 2008

Photo by Mike Yoder

Lacey Hunsinger, 16, a member of Vinland Valley 4-H club, left, and Katie Jones, 18, a member of the Clinton Eagles, give Jones' Rhode Island Red a bath Tuesday at the Douglas County 4-H Fair. Livestock entries were entered Tuesday, and today all buildings and exhibits open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Douglas County Fair 2008

Livestock, a world of entries, a carnival and a demolition derby - see the sights and hear the sounds of the 2008 Douglas County Fair.

In a stable that sounded more like a slaughterhouse, Casey George, 16, armed with electric clippers, grapples with a pig.

Compared with the other hogs, which scream and squeal to no end, Casey's pigs are docile. They're getting a makeover, one of the final preparations before they're put on display today at the Douglas County Fair.

"[You have to] make them so they're all groomed up for the show," explained Casey's sister, Brittnay, 12. "They look cleaner, and it's easier to wash them."

All over the fairgrounds Tuesday, young 4-H club members groomed chickens, rabbits, pigs and cows. They're all on display today at the fair, and club members say the night before a show can be fraught with stress and worry.

"You work all year trying to get yourself prepared for it," said Kahlyn Heine, 18, president of the Clinton Eagles 4-H club. "You remember that you're trying to do the best you can do. It's stressful."

With a year of anticipation building up to the presentations today, it's no wonder that some club members toss and turn the night before.

"These are some of the biggest events" of the fair, said Margaret Kalb, executive secretary of the fair board. "These kids put a lot of time into feeding them and caring for them."

In between shaving her pigs, washing their ears and scrubbing them down, Brittnay George has one plan to alleviate the tension: "Just get lots of sleep."

Heine, who is showing three dual-purpose pullets (a type of chicken), said the inevitable stress is worth it in the end.

"It's all about showing people that you are handling yourself in a mature way ... and preparing yourself for life afterward," she said. "You're always going to keep that sense of ownership."

Discussion

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30 July 2008
at 8:47 a.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

Yeah, nothing like having a child raise and nurture an animal, and of course, grow very attached to that animal, only to see it loaded up on a slaughter truck at the end of the fair and butchered! Yep, that's really teaching our kids compassion. Talk about bizarre disconnect! That's the picture you won't see on the news or in the paper — little Suzie or Johnny crying while their beloved cow or pig is loaded on the slaughter truck all while mom and dad are patting them on the head telling them that's just the way it has to be. All because society has brainwashed us to think that we HAVE to eat animals, when we clearly don't.So sad indeed . . .
30 July 2008
at 9 a.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

Divingdiva, If God had not intended us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
30 July 2008
at 9:16 a.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

Well, I guess if you're going to use ridiculous logic like that, we might as well be eating our dogs/cats and each other for that matter. We ALL made up of “meat”. Sorry, you're going to have to do better than that!
30 July 2008
at 10:20 a.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva,Are you lean, or more vealish?
30 July 2008
at 10:23 a.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

Well, enjoy your juicy steak (wrapped in bacon) all the way to the doctor's office when you end up with high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or high cholesterol from eating their corpses. You think talking about eating a dead cow for lunch is somehow cute and clever, but what's really clever is that we kill these animals by the billions, and then the animals end up killing us by the millions through all kinds of diseases and cancers. So yep, eat that dead flesh (wrapped in bacon of course) right up!
30 July 2008
at 10:29 a.m.

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nobody1793 (Anonymous) says…

“…eating our dogs/cats…”uh, been to China lately?
30 July 2008
at 10:32 a.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

diva - most kids who particpate in 4H understand that the animals are being raised for food. Just like farm kids, they understand the facts of life. Not to say there won't be a few tears, but not to the point that you think. And red meat, in moderation, as with anything else, is good for you.

30 July 2008
at 10:41 a.m.

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75x55 (Anonymous) says…

dittos m_o_t : I don't think diva's been around these sorts of things much. A lot of these kids are looking forward to the big payoff and getting free of the rather intensive job they've had with these animals for the past few months.
30 July 2008
at 11:02 a.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

No m.o.t., I don't really think kids do understand all this. I'm sure many of them are quite confused why they are told to care for this creature, and then send it off to slaughter. That is of course until the parents brainwash them to think the whole thing is normal and that it HAS to be that way. Kids by nature, love animals. And yes, I have been around the whole 4-H scene and understand very well what goes on. Some kids may just be looking forward to the money, but the majority truly care about their animals and don't want to see them die.I love the quote that says if you put an apple and a rabbit near a child, which one will they eat. I guarantee you it won't be the rabbit!
30 July 2008
at 11:29 a.m.

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kublackbird (Anonymous) says…

That's kind of a silly quote divingdiva. Of course the kid would eat the apple—most kids don't know how to skin and cook a rabbit!But seriously, at least these kids are being taught to be good stewards of the animals they are raising—i.e. giving them proper housing, food, and etc. I'd so much rather see (and eat) animals raised in this manner over an animal raised on a factory farm.
30 July 2008
at 12:45 p.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

Kids are probably confused the first time as a young one, but they do understand that these animals are being raised to be sold and probably for food, especially farm kids. It's a way of life. I lived in the country and understood it as a kid. Not that I didn't cry when my dog died, or when my dad sold horses as a business, but I understood. My grandparents raised chickens. We would play with the chicks as kids, and help take care of them. But we knew, and it was okay, that these chickens would grow up and be butchered for food. It didn't bother us a bit. A kid can care about the animal and not want to see it die, but do understand the reality that it probably will when it is sold. And I don't think the parents brainwash them. Kids understand much more than you give them credit for. Just because you don't eat meat or raise animals for food doesn't mean that the rest of us are bad for doing so.
30 July 2008
at 12:55 p.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva,Of course kids love animals. My kids love animals. My son made these wonderful rabbit kabobs the other night. Lean and tasty, with fresh peppers,onions, and potatoes. They are leaner than any chicken you will ever find. You can even raise meat rabbits in your back yard in town, as they are quiet and very clean. They are hormone free. Did you know that a rabbit will produce 6 pounds of meat from the same amount of feed that would only produce 1 pound of meat in cattle? None of the kids cry, they treat the rabbits very well. I think the rabbits do better with human social interation.You should try his rabbit gyros. Yummy.
30 July 2008
at 1:06 p.m.

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BikerGrandma (Anonymous) says…

Comments like those from divingdiva surface every year when the fair starts. Yes, many times the youth do shed tears when their first animal goes through the auction. That is understandable. Being in 4-H gives them the opportunity to learn not only lessons in economics, but also about the circle of life. For those of us that choose not to be vegetarians, that means raising animals that may end up on the dinner table somewhere. My children raised rabbits, chickens, pigeons, sheep, hogs, and cattle. If someone posed the question to them “how can you eat something that you've raised?”, their answer was they were raised knowing that some of our animals were breeding stock, some were pets and some were meant to be a supplemental food source for our family, Our children were not brainwashed. They always had the choice to not sell their animal or raise an animal that would go to the auction.So, divingdiva, while I understand your position, please don't be too upset that I don't agree.
30 July 2008
at 1:42 p.m.

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buddy2me (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva, my kids are in 4-H and NO they are not brainwashed. As well as any of the kids that are at the fairgrounds right now taking care of their animals. Kids do understand what they are doing. Why don't you go out and spend time with a family for the week and you will see just how much they care. I can guarantee you that these kids will and have been treating animals with more respect than kids or adults that just have pets for awhile until they are tired of them. Don't give us your crap about how they are brainwashed. No kids out there are, and of course they are going to cry. I see older 4-Her's crying, but again, they understand what all this means. And I hate to tell you, but, I know of three women that have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure that have not eaten red meat since they were teens, and they are in their 40's now. So you can't tell me that they are this way from eating “flesh”. Get off your high horse, at least these kids are making themselves better citizens and they are not out stealing from people!
30 July 2008
at 1:46 p.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

Ah yes, I figured the whole “humane meat” factor would eventually be brought up. That is kind of the “in thing” right now. Everyone can feel happy about eating an animal now all because it was raised humanely. However, too many people forget the transport and the actual slaughter process — which I might add is horrific. They are just simply moving way too many animals through these slaughter lines now to even remotely stun them properly. And the chickens have it worst of all — basically no stunning at all. Many animals are skinned alive, boiled alive, etc. I've talked to slaughterhouse workers out of Emporia who try to joke about cattle reaching the skinning area and are still fully conscious. Many pigs are boiled alive due to not dying quick enough after being bled out, etc. The list goes on and on about the inherent abuses animals suffer in slaughterhouses. All you have to do is watch the undercover footage coming on the news from various stockyards and slaughterhouses across the country to know that extremely cruel, daily abuses go on in these places. It's not an exception, it's the norm.So while everyone is patting themselves on the backs and feeling good about your “humane meat”, you've left off one major part of turning these animals into your dinner — the brutal killing of them. That's why the term “humane meat” is a total oxymoron. There is no such thing.And just for the record, just because any of you eat meat doesn't make you bad people. I don't know why meat-eaters get defensive and automatically think that people who don't eat meat think they're bad. Because I know some of the most wonderful people who eat meat, and I would never hold that against them. My point in all this was that it's tragic to see these kids get attached to these animals and then be forced to sell them to slaughter, thinking that's just the way things have to be. Well, they don't! Animals do not have to die in this day and age to feed and nourish our bodies. We do it out of pure habit. And that's what's tragic.

30 July 2008
at 1:53 p.m.

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Dwight_Schrute (Anonymous) says…

D-Diva -I respect your beliefs in maintaining (though you don't actually say it) a vegetarian (or perhaps even vegan) lifestyle. That doesn't mean the rest of those who choose differently cannot continue to enjoy a healthy and nutritious menu sprinkled with beef, pork, poultry and fish. I would rather intake my protien in that form, than through some supplement sprinkled on my tofu parfait…but that's just me…and most other Americans.You are way off base when it comes to your assessment of 4-H. Having participated in 4-H activities as a youth, and knowing the curriculum they provide, it is very clear to the members of the club how the food cycle/pyramid works, and why it is so important to our lives. They know exactly what happens to Bossy the cow, or Porky the pig following the fair…in fact, many fairs have a sale that is connected with the different livestock (livestock, not pets) category that serves as a fundraiser for the local club. It's a win-win situation…the kid gets a blue ribbon, and someone gets some grade A beef in their freezer.Why are you such a hater?
30 July 2008
at 1:55 p.m.

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nye34 (Anonymous) says…

You are lame.
30 July 2008
at 1:59 p.m.

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divingdiva (Anonymous) says…

Good grief, since when does someone become a “hater” or “lame” because they simply made a comment about these kids having feelings for these animals they grow attached to, and that it's sad to see them hauled off to slaughter?Geez, lighten up people. No one is a hater or lame. Just some comments on a topic . . .
30 July 2008
at 2:06 p.m.

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spacystaci8 (Anonymous) says…

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals
30 July 2008
at 2:08 p.m.

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Dwight_Schrute (Anonymous) says…

D-DivaYou are the one who began posting…and the one who has the AGENDA.
30 July 2008
at 2:16 p.m.

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kublackbird (Anonymous) says…

I agree with you diving diva that the slaughter process can be horrible, but I think even that's improving with new developments—i.e. using carbon monoxide to kill chickens. Further, if you do your research, you can now buy meat that was raised and killed all on the same local farm, not in a “factory” slaughter house. And as more people become interested in local/humane meat it will only get better.And one thing I have yet to hear an answer to from any vegetarian—if we are all to stop eating meat because it's cruel, what is to become of the animals that we now eat? I think very few families could afford to/would want to keep a cow on hand just as a pet. Would you have the animals that we have domesticated over thousands of years set loose to starve? Or become scarce to the point that we have to worry about their extinction?If you're about making the process by which we get our meat better and more humane, I'm all about it. But I think trying to convince people to abstain from meat altogether is not only unrealistic, but would, in the long run, end up harming the animals you claim to want to protect.
30 July 2008
at 2:35 p.m.

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buddy2me (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva—Again, you don't have a clue about what the 4-H kids are feeling. I welcome you to come spend a day at the fair, and see how these kids operate. And then stay here for the auction and see how it all works. Don't be a person that is looking from the outside in, until you are in the situation, do not make comments about our 4-H program or the kids that are the program.
30 July 2008
at 2:43 p.m.

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trinity (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva-“Geez, lighten up people. No one is a hater or lame. Just some comments on a topic …” comments that are charbroiled with a good amount of haughty superiority, marinated in bitter, dry-rubbed with hateful and served up hot with a side of grilled onions.um, yeah. lighten up. live&let live, toots.

30 July 2008
at 2:46 p.m.

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tvc (Anonymous) says…

“And one thing I have yet to hear an answer to from any vegetarian-if we are all to stop eating meat because it's cruel, what is to become of the animals that we now eat?”– First, I don't believe everyone will stop eating meat, but if by some miracle they do, it would not happen overnight. Therefore farmers would stop raising large amounts and slowly reduce the numbers. It may not be ideal, but these kids understand the process. It would worry me more if they did not cry. Diva, you come off very angry and “right”. The reason I am a vegetarian is I believe it is a peaceful lifestyle; however, it isn't if we are constantly arguing about it. “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” Leonardo da Vincihttp://www.hulu.com/watch/28534/nbc-today-show-meet-the-%E2%80%98hugging%E2%80%99-lion%E2%80%99s-owners
30 July 2008
at 3:51 p.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

maybe some people get defensive when you say they brainwash their kids, and “bizarre” disconnect. Gee, go figure why they are responding the way they are.
30 July 2008
at 3:55 p.m.

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Quigly (Anonymous) says…

get a moooooove on with my prime rib!
30 July 2008
at 6:33 p.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Geez, RET, I see you're baring the pointy teeth, today.
30 July 2008
at 6:44 p.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

Geez, RET, I see you're baring the pointy teeth, today. - tangiWell, we have pointy teeth for a purpose… At least they were not “nasty, big, pointy teeth”
30 July 2008
at 6:50 p.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

RET: “Well, we have pointy teeth for a purpose:”My… uh… point… exactly.,;-}
2 August 2008
at 11:44 a.m.

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notajayhawk (Anonymous) says…

divingdiva;Is it okay to eat animals that eat other animals?