Blogs
Michigan Ag Blog
Insect heaven Posted June 24, 2010 by Rick Shields
Ag Weather Outlook Posted June 23, 2010 by Rick Shields
Insect Update Posted June 22, 2010 by Rick Shields
Blueberry Conference Set for July Posted June 21, 2010 by Rick Shields
Info on Two Major Peach Problems Posted June 18, 2010 by Rick Shields
Thursday Farm Report Posted June 17, 2010 by Rick Shields
Row Crops Goin' Strong Posted June 15, 2010 by Rick Shields
Summer Fruit-Meetings Coming Up Posted June 14, 2010 by Rick Shields
Problems Establishing New Orchards Posted June 11, 2010 by Rick Shields
Michigan Livestock Expo Coming Posted June 10, 2010 by Ken Delaney
LANSING, June 10, 2010 - Excitement is building for the second annual Michigan Livestock Expoas youth from across the state have indicated they may show as many as 1,000 head of farm animals - more than twice the animals exhibited at last year's inaugural event.
"Around 500 youth hailing from the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and every corner of the state have pre-registered to exhibit more than 1,000 farm animals. This doesn't count the additional 200 youth who will also participate in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo," said Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) livestock and dairy specialist Ernie Birchmeier, one of the Expo co-organizers.
"Based on these projections, the second annual Michigan Livestock Expo will easily go down as the largest-ever statewide, multi-species livestock show and sale in Michigan's history to date," said Birchmeier.
Taking place on Michigan State University's (MSU) East Lansing campus in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo, the Michigan Livestock Expo provides young people ages 8 to 20 a centrally located event that caters to a variety of farm animals, including beef cattle, hogs, sheep and goats.
The 2010 Expo kicks off July 16-18 with competitive exhibition activities, followed by an auction of the show's award-winning animals and dairy products on July 20. This year, both the exhibition and "Sale-abration" auction will be held at the MSU Livestock Pavilion. Last year's exhibition was held at the Ingham County Fairgrounds in Mason.
"Moving the exhibition to the MSU Livestock Pavilion allows us to accommodate the Expo's growing popularity and should be a thrill for a lot of the young exhibitors," said Birchmeier.
Birchmeier added that "there is a tremendous amount of interest in the event and a large number of volunteers have stepped forward to assist with the activities."
"The level of anticipated youth participation and the commitment of the volunteers really exemplifies the Expo's theme of 'Believe, Build, Grow; Our Youth and Our Agriculture,'" said Birchmeier.
Youth typically apply earnings from the "Sale-abration" auction to their current or future college expenses and/or invest the money back into their youth livestock projects. Proceeds above a sales cap support the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships and educational awards to youth involved in livestock exhibition activities. Last year's auction raised $100,600 for youth thanks to generous purchases by more than 60 single and collective buyers who bid on 31 award-winning animals and dairy products.
Early interest among buyers for this year's event is good but additional involvement is encouraged, said Birchmeier.
"This is a golden opportunity to buy local and help sustain Michigan," said Birchmeier. "At the same time, buyers will make a direct investment in Michigan's next generation of business leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs."
The "Sale-abration" auction will feature the following champion lots:
- Market beef: Grand, reserve grand, and six showcase animals
- Market lamb: Grand, reserve grand, and six showcase animals
- Market hog: Grand, reserve grand, and six showcase animals
- Market goat: Grand, reserve grand, and two showcase animals
- Great Lakes Grands: Two animals from each of the above species that have been bred, born and raised in Michigan
- Dairy industry: Dairy products from the 2010 Michigan Dairy Expo champion showman, supreme champion cow and supreme champion heifer.
"Learning the responsibility of caring for another life and experiencing the awesome feeling of hard work paying off are characteristics many kids, including myself, gain," says 19-year-old Alison Harwell, a past exhibitor from Quincy.
"With these experiences and skills, we are not afraid to be in front of a crowd, are able to introduce ourselves to others, and can care for animals in a way that represents the agricultural industry and community wellMost importantly, we have gained the confidence and pride within ourselves that makes us succeed not only in the show ring but in life."
The Michigan Livestock Expo is sponsored by a large group of agricultural supporters. This year's Supreme Champion sponsors include MFB, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, United Producers, Inc., Kalmbach Feeds, Varnum Law Farm and the Michigan Milk Producers Association and Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.
More information is available at http://www.milivestock.com. Interested buyers are encouraged to register with Birchmeier. He can be reached at (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024.
