Packing List for 4-H County Fair Beef Project

You have spent months and months feeding, grooming, working and preparing your cow for the county fair.  It is now time to load up and head for the fair.  On move-in day, what more do you need than your cow?

Last week we looked at all the things to bring to keep the people happy.  This week we will look at all the items you need to take to the county fair to keep the animals happy.

1. Hose - you will spend a lot of time in the wash stall...not only to keep you animals clean, but also to cool them down in the extreme heat.
2. Shampoo - this can be as simple as dish soap or as specific as Bright Lights (yes, we were once stupid and bought an all white steer....never again)
3. Grooming chute
   
4. Blower
5. Clippers
6. Combs
7. Adhesives and show sprays
8. Tack box - this is also a great place to lock up your personal belongings when you stray from the barn.  Don't worry, by the end of the week, everyone's tack box looks like a school locker.
9. Halters and neck ties - our fair requires neck ties because there have been a few too many roaming cows at night.  We have arrived at the barn many mornings to find a cow completely out of their halter and only tied in place by the neck tie.
   
10. Show halters
11. Buckets
12. Feed buckets
13. Plenty of feed and hay for the week
14. Water or water filter - many times with different water, the cows will not drink.  Whenever possible, we transport containers of water from home so that we do not have to fight with the cows to get used to a different tasting water.  This is especially true if you are at a facility that has city water and your cows are used to well water.  
15. Bedding - we have found that straw works best because it is not quite as dusty.
16. Fan - this is really to keep the cows cool and comfortable, but we have all been guilty of sneaking in front of one for a short nap
17. Wheelbarrow - everyone does not need to take a wheelbarrow, but it is nice to have several in the barn for everyone to share.  We will not be taking ours this year because it has a flat tire...for the last 2 years.
18. Tent - at the Knox County Fair, all of the grooming chutes are set up outside.  With the volatile weather that we can have in July, you are bound to get blazing hot sun and at least one thunderstorm during fair week.  The pop-up tent just makes in nicer on everyone to have some protection from the elements.  The show doesn't stop so that we can't wait for the storm to pass to fit our animals. 
    

Don't be discouraged if you don't have all of these items.  We surely didn't start off with all this stuff.  We have accumulated our supplies over the years.  There are plenty of people who are willing to share.  Find a friend and work out a schedule.

Click here for a printable version of this list. 

See you at the Knox County Fair!