Ruby Howell
Pratt Tribune
After an insanely different fair atmosphere last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pratt County 4-Hers and others who participate in the Pratt County Fair regularly are putting in place place plans for business-as-usual event in 2021.
On May 7, the annual small animal weigh-in was held at the fairgrounds. Setting a record-high, 44 sheep and 43 goats were weighed and tagged for fair participation by Pratt County 4-Hers. All 4-H members enrolled in the sheep and goat projects were required to bring their animals to the weigh-in to be eligible to be shown at the Pratt County Fair.
Pratt County Extension Agent Jodi Drake said that the animals get an official 4-H e-ID ear tag and they go across the scales. If 4-H members want to show their animals at the Kansas State Fair or the Kansas Junior Livestock Show, they must also nominate their animals by filling out a form, obtaining DNA samples, and submitting a fee to the State Fair office. 4-H bucket calves were not required to make an appearance at weigh-in this year, instead, families were able to pick up a 4-H ear tag ahead of time and tag their own animals at home. This made things a little easier for families who only had a bucket calf or who had to be out of town.