During these troubled financial times, perhaps we should be investing in Steers?

I was watching the news Friday and caught the last bit of clip and it really made my cry. Why? It made me miss this so much. I found this link of the video and was letting Evie watch it. I was trying to tell her that is what I used to do. I was trying to tell her that it was so fun to show steers and maybe someday she could do it. Then she really let me down, she said "I could milk a cow!" I said "NO! Show a steer". How could my own daughter get that confused and think it was neater to milk a cow rather than show a steer? I loved showing steers and I am so glad that my dad helped us so much. Going to the fairs really were our vacations. I know they weren't for my parents but I sure loved it. We all have some great memories of the wild ones . Now I realize that if my kids were to ever show steers how much work it would be on me and Adam-don't worry Dad, I am not getting ideas-at least for a few more years. We never saw that kind of money but it was so worth it. That girl kinda reminds me of myself when I was her age and of how much I loved showing steers. I know it has been so long that I am only remembering the good things, but I do remember there was some fighting, that we never won Herdsmanship award (the award for keeping your pens clean-we were after Grand Champion or Showmanship). I think we were the only 4-H group that only met when we went to the fair. Was our club name really SunHeaven Hillbillies? If it was I am really embarrassed. Mom could rat the steers tail better than anyone, even when she was 38 weeks pregnant with Jenni in 100 degree weather. I have to admit I love to feel my boys head after I cut it real short b/c it reminds me of how the steers heads would feel after we would clip them for the fair. I tell Jake and Chase I can cut their hair b/c I learned how to clip the steers first. I have not convinced Adam of this yet.

Mom and Dad please watch this- it is really short.
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/index.html?nvid=289264&she=1


Here is the story from the paper

State Fair of Texas grand champion steer sells for $95,000

We’ve got a Champ.
Emily June Kelley, 12, of Yoakum, took home the top prize in the grand steer champion competition this afternoon at the State Fair of Texas' annual Youth Livestock Auction of Champions.
Grand Steer Champion brings home $95,000
October 3rd, 2008


The steer’s name, appropriately: Champ.
The grand champion fell short of topping the $100,000 mark, but did bring in $1,000 more than last year’s winner: a cool $95,000.
That was way more – about $35,000 more – than Emily expected.
"I was like, ‘Wow,’ " she said. "It was over my head. It’s just overwhelming."
The grand champion steer winner gets $30,000, and the rest of the proceeds fund State Fair scholarships.
Since she’s only 12, Emily hasn’t decided where she’ll go to college. But she’ll use the money for her education, mostly likely in an agriculture-related field, she said.
She has been raising Champ since last spring at her home in Yoakum, about 90 miles south of San Antonio.
For many of the contestants, letting go isn't always easy. The students form bonds with their animals, said Daryl Real, the fair's vice president of agriculture and livestock.
"A lot of the animals are treated better than you and I are," Mr. Real said. "[Students] spend a lot of time with these animals and care for them. It's a project they take a lot of pride in. In order to be successful in the end, it's a must to spend that time with them."
But the students know there's a time to let go of their furry friends. It's part of the life cycle -- these animals are being raised for food, said Mr. Real, who raised animals as a kid.

I was also thinking, I only remember a few times when I felt really sad to sell the steers, they were all usually so darn mean and wild. I don't think they would allow tranquilizers today -did they then? I know Dad really enjoyed it and I am so glad he did. Dad even liked it so much he had Pam show even after she went to college because she wasn't 19 yet. With all her years of expertise she won showmanship & got to be in the round robin that year. I know that is what convinced Scott that he wanted to marry her. Remember when Troy's steer got loose during weigh in and took out all the fancy fans of the Hereford show? What about Thayne our Professional Fitter? Rember our reputation for having wild steers and always being late for weigh-in and having to call and tell them we were on our way. I could go on and on. I am going to go on the hunt for some pictures. My kids love seeing all those trophys in the basement and mom I hope you never get rid of them. Maybe that will help all our kids know how we spent our summer vacation.


Another funny story- When Allie was a baby we went to the Puyallup Fair. At that time I was a germ freak with our little baby girl that wasn't even one year old. I think most of you remember how protective I was of her. Adam was in shock and awe when I took Allie out of the stroller so she could get close to the steers and touch them. I told him that steers don't have germs, that they are good animals to be around.