New event added to HSC Fair

A new event has been added to the Hot Springs County fair this year – a carcass contest – which will be held on Tuesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds.

The fair board will pay for the first animal, up to two species, for each youth.

If you want to enter more than one animal in a species, there is a $7 charge per extra animals. For instance, if you want to enter one beef and two pigs, the board will pay for the beef and one pig, however, you must pay the fee for the second pig.

According to Dr. Steve Paisley, University of Wyoming Extention Beef Specialist, the purpose of the contest is to reward members who produce market animals who meet or exceed industry standards of carcass quality for each species.

4-H and FFA members will gain knowledge of industry standards and a better understanding of what it means to produce market animals that meet the needs of consumers.

Youth who are exposed to a carcass contest are able to better understand why a judge does not pick their steer, hog or lamb for Grand Champion because it was either too fat or light muscled.

“Showing livestock, especially steers,” Paisley said, “should not just be about the hair, adhesive and the touch-up paint. Just because they are pretty does not mean that they are qualified to win based on end product merit.”

Fair market weights will apply with market steers at 1050 pounds minimum, market lambs, 110 pound minimum and market swine, 225 pounds minimum.

Prizes will be awarded for Grand Champion of each species with winners announced during the sheep, swine and beef shows.