New Teacher Survivor Series

Part #4 - Where do I find and how do I buy livestock show projects

Introduction:  Attending livestock shows and purchasing livestock show projects are a standard and assumed responsibility for the Ag Ed instructor.  However, it is not as simple or easy as one might think.  There are many dangers related to this responsibility.  This guide will hopefully assist you and eliminate some of the headaches we have all had when it comes to buying show projects.

1. Education and real information is the key to eliminating problems.  If your students and parents know up-front what the project will cost to purchase, the daily maintenance (feed, tack, equipment, etc) costs, time and attention requirements, show costs, vet costs, or any other costs, you will not have to listen to the griping later on.  You must educate each student and parent to the point that if they agree to all the time and cost requirements, you know they will be good for the show program.  You should also inform them of what they will receive in terms of return on their investment.  Be honest.

2. It might be helpful if you had a handout or information sheet on each species.  The students and parents could decide based on the information you give them.  The information sheet would contain all of the cost information, care and feed instructions, facility requirements, school farm options and any other items you feel necessary.

3. On the information sheet, outline proper uses and responsibilities for students who use the school farm.  Also, state the consequences for abuse of the school farm.  This will help you later.

4. What happens if you don't educate them?  The student goes home and tells the parents he needs $150 for a show pig.  The parents ask a few simple questions and the next day the student brings you the money.  Once you bring home the pig, it turns out that the student has no place to keep him, no transportation to feed it at the school farm, the parents didn't know feed cost that much, and that the pig would eat so much.  They didn't know that there was a $10 blood charge, a $10 entry fee, etc.  However, you will get to hear all of it.  Remove this problem by educating everyone before you buy.

5. Introduce your students to different types of show projects by inviting them to the fair in the fall.  You can even arrange for a bus to bring your classes out one day if it is convenient.  Talk about show projects in class while studying breeds of livestock and SAE's.  In addition, this is a great place to talk responsibility, economics, rewards, and why we have livestock shows.

6. You will find show prospects at sales, through old contacts, and by traveling with an experienced Ag teacher.

7. Don't try to have big numbers.  Educate your students and parents and have dedicated show projects.  They are easier to take care of, supervise and you will hardly ever have to water or buy feed for them.

8. If your goal is to have big numbers, you can count on the following:
   a.  Many of the projects will not be cared for appropriately.
   b.  The students who do not care for their animals will take the majority of your time, which means the good projects will suffer.
   c.  You will buy feed for the projects at the school farm.  They are not even your child's project.
   d.  You will water animals daily.
   e.  The parents will fight because you are in the sheep barn too much or the cattle barn to little  or Joe Smith is hiring a   steer jock because you don't have time to clip their heifer.                                                                                

9. The list could go on.  I hope that you don't believe that educating students will solve all of the above-mentioned problems; however, it will eliminate most of them.  Or at least, you won't have as many.

10. Inform the students that you are taking orders for show projects beginning on such and such date.  They will need to bring a check for half the amount they wish to spend on the project.  At that time they should indicate species, breed preference, and gender.  (Note: you can ask for more money if you wish.  The 1/2 is just a suggestion.  However, you want to get something.

11. Inform the students that they are welcome to go with you to look for the project.  Place a list of dates, on the board, that they can attend a sale or farm visit with you.  This will also eliminate the opportunity for someone to accuse you of bumping or adding to the price of the animals.

12. If you do not feel comfortable purchasing projects of a particular species, don't ask a local parent to help you unless it is a very prominent breeder of that species.  Call your neighbor Ag teacher or one you feel comfortable with who knows about that specie and go with him/her.  After two or three sales, you will be a pro. 

13. The same goes with feeding instructions. (see #12).

14. Have a central location designated as the observation area.  This is where you will bring the projects, once purchased, to observe a couple of days before delivery if you are unsure where you want to place it.  However, if a student or parent is along when you purchase the project, take it directly to their home or pen at the school farm. 

15. Collect the remainder of the money as soon as the animal is delivered.  Give the receipt or purchase ticket with the price to the student or parent.  This will document your integrity.

16. There are two ways to purchase animals.
    a. Have the parent or student purchase the animal.  This means they must be with you.
    b. You purchase the animal out our your pocket and collect later.  I advise you to set up a separate checking account.  Keep it separate from your personal account.  The deposits should be enough to keep you above the red.  You can also work with your local banker.  He/She should be willing to assist you.

17. Try not to make every purchase an "on approval" purchase.  Be confident and direct when you fill an order.  There are sometimes you can call them and say you have one to look at.  However, you will get stuck with extra projects if you rely on students to approve all of your purchases.  They will always say they will wait and see what else you buy.

18. There needs to be clarity of what project is whose.  Don't let yourself get caught between two kids or two parents arguing over one animal.  The rule is, "Whoever goes gets first choice".

19. If a student or parent rejects your purchase, be direct when you tell them that you will return their deposit and they can purchase their own project.  Don't take it personally; but don't let them do it to you again.

20. Death of a project will happen.  You may go for years and never have one die.  Or, you might have one or two die regularly.  Make sure you make note of where you buy each project.  They sometimes will replace an animal that dies shortly after you purchase it.  However, don't take it upon yourself to replace the animal.  Death loss should be a part of your education process.  If they know up front, it will be easier to handle.

21. When you purchase projects and bring them to the observation area or deliver them to the student's home, take care to administer antibiotics or other medications such as over eating, tetanus, etc. as soon as necessary.  Sometimes you will want to administer antibiotics because of weather or stress created on the animal by the sale process or long distance travel.

22. Visit the projects daily at the school farm and every other day at homes for about two weeks.  Each time you are there, leave a note if you don't have the opportunity to visit with the student or parent.  After the first two weeks, designate different days of the week in which you make visits. (ex. Tuesdays or Thursdays every other week) This way the students and parents know when to expect you.  The school farm should be visited more often.  Remember that you might have to feed and water at the school farm.

23. Make other visits upon request by the student or parent.  Also, check periodically in class on how their project is doing.

24. Castrating, banding, vaccinating and other minor procedures are ways you can build confidence in your ability with students and parents.  There is some possibility that you might loose a project from these procedures.  Make sure that the student and parent know that they have the option to take the animal to the vet before you begin.

25. Always consult a veterinarian and obtain veterinarian approval for uncommon procedures.

26. Ethical actions will never get you in trouble.  Unethical actions will always surface. 

27. If you do not know how to perform castrating, banding or other procedures you might administer, learn how.  You can work for the vet during the summer or have another Ag teacher instruct you.

28. During the growing season, weigh hogs and sheep regularly, clip sheep during the summer, blood test as soon as the legal dates will allow, practice clipping cattle, and arrange for hoof trimming on cattle.

29. Schedule these activities ahead of time.  Post them on the calendar of activities on your board with any costs or instructions.

30. Have a designated list of shows that you will be attending.  Allow others to go where they would like.  However, stick to your designated list.

31. Take up entry fees and mail them in when necessary.

Final Word

Livestock shows have been a part of Agricultural Education for a long time.  There is nothing more exciting or rewarding than watching an animal that you selected as a baby grow into one that is a winner.  These projects also allow our programs to mold young people.  The responsibility, dedication, team work and life lessons that they will learn through showing livestock are unmatched by any other organization.

When in doubt, call another Ag teacher or your district supervisor for advice.

Ag Ed Home