This past September, siblings Molly, Emma, Lily, and Brenna Thomas participated in the Bloomsburg Fair’s annual 4-H Livestock show with their market steer, lamb, and goats. Each daughter went through the process of selecting their market steer, training, and caring for it along with their market lambs and fainting goats during the year leading up to the showing season. Throughout the week, each daughter groomed their animals in preparation for placements of their livestock which influenced the animals success at the auction. “We spend hours with these animals weekly and are sometimes taken care of better than some people. These animals are our pride and joy.” says Molly.
-
Emma uses a stainless steel brush to remove built up mud on her steers coat.
The Thomas family arrives at the fair with their live stock.
(Left to Right) Molly and Emma give their steers Maverick and Goose their first wash and the fair after setting into their stalls for the week.
Molly shows her lamb at the 4_H market lamb show, where she will receive a placement for the, its physicality, its training, and the behavior of both the animal and the showperson.
Brenna hops the lamb and goat fences while in the process of feeding them in the morning.
Lily gives her steer Tyson his daily wash outside their stalls at the fair. Tyson placed third in his weight class and was sold for $2800.
Molly dries off her steer Goose after being washed. Goose placed second in his weight class and sold for $2700.
Brenna stands with her steer Alvin while high school students from a local school practice judging livestock, to eventually become professional.
Lily talks with her mother before her and her sisters present an educational show on their fainting goats.
Two little girls look up to Emma while she shaves her steer Maverick prior to her market steer showing. Maverick placed third in his weight class and sold for $2600.
Brenna’s mother helps do her hair for the 4-H market steer show.
Lily walks her lambs back to their stables after shaving them the morning of the lamb show.
