
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990                   TAG: 9006290191
SECTION: SALEM FAIR                    PAGE: SF-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By DAVID MEADOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

YOUNG LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS TRY TO STEER ANIMALS IN WINNING DIRECTION

Teaching a 1200-pound steer to behave in public is a man-sized job. But Marty Francis of Botetourt County is up to the task, and he and other 4-H'ers and Future Farmers of America will be exhibiting their prized steers and heifers at the second annual Youth Livestock Show and Sale at the Salem Fair.

Francis plans to show two his prized Black Angus steers in the Showmanship competition, an event similar to a horse show in which the livestock are judgedon such things as appearance and deportment. Leading a steer around an indoor ring means persuading it to do something that just does not come naturally to it - behave.

"Believe it or not, by show time, these steers will follow Marty around just like a puppy," said Harriett Francis, Marty's mother. As she speaks, however, onlookers scatter to avoid a barnyard temper tantrum.

She is right about the disbelief. But a bucket of sweat and weeks of patience later, it will happen, confirmed Marty's father Dick, his shirt soaked from the effort of trying to get the steers to pose for a picture.

"Raising livestock teaches children how to take care of animals and gives them a real-life lesson in the economics of the livestock business," says Glenda Snyder, a Virginia Tech extension agent who supervises 4-H in Botetourt County.

The children learn about feeding, sheltering and taking care of the health needs of the animals. They also keep extensive records of expenses, the weight gain of the animal and profits or losses.

For months, Marty has been grain-feeding his steers to bring them up to marketable size. And as the fair approaches, he will spend hours grooming the steers - washing, clipping, brushing, polishing their hooves, trimming their tails. He must also teach them to stand squarely at attention, the stance required for judging at the show.

Despite the long hours and sore muscles, Marty says the hardest part can be selling the steer after devoting so much attention to it. "The first time I sold one, it was hard," he said. "But, as mean as these steers are, I might be glad to see them go."

The Roanoke Area Junior Livestock Market Steer Show will be held at 10 a.m. on July 7. The steer showmanship competition will begin at 1 p.m., with the livestock auction beginning at 5 p.m.

"There's no better opportunity to support our young livestock breeders and to enjoy the choicest meat available," said Salem Fair livestock superintendent Bill McKinnon. "Your purchase finances and supports our young people, while at the same time, bringing better food to your table."

The Roanoke Area Junior Livestock Market Hog Show will be held the day before, July 6, at 6 p.m.

by CNB