SEMO District Fair Day 5: Livestock Edition

Tyler Graef

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

In farming circles, raising and exhibiting livestock is often a rite of passage; a way for youngsters to display (or build) a sense of responsibility, while sometimes even making a little money while they're at it. A portion this year's SEMO District Fair livestock competition took place Wednesday morning and the Southeast Missourian was there to take a look behind the scenes.

Ty Wright, 10, heaves on a lead to try and rouse Jack the steer before competition on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Cousins Conner Wayon Rhodes, 11, left, and Elijah Whitener, 12, are seen while watching other children show sheep on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. Rhodes and Whitener, both of Marquand, Missouri, had shortly before been named champion and reserve champion, respectively, for showing sheep of their own. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Izobel Hager tries to wipe her steer-snot-covered hand on Clayton Birk while the two hung out between competition events in a stable on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Izobel Hager rests in the shade atop one of several black steers on Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kevin Britton, 16, of Illinois, uses clippers to trim an animal's leg hairs on Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Grant Meyer, 12, strains to tighten the harness on his stubborn simmental calf, Coba, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Carsyn Swain, a member of the Delta FFA, uses a hose to wash her cow, Precious, before competition on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Ellie Wilhelm, 10, uses a spray bottle to cool her pig, Bacon, on Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Autumn Petzoldt receives a second-place ribbon for showing her sheep, Billy, as her brother, Austin, follows her to accept the next ribbon for his sheep, Jim, named after Peoria-Illinois-born baseballer Jim Thome on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Youngsters are silhouetted while parading their animals around the ring in competition on Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2019, at the SEMO District Fairgrounds in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)