EYE FOR DETAIL: LONG LOOKS AT FARM FOWL, ANIMALS AND CROPS

Larry Denny held the American Show Racer, a female red-checked hen pigeon, up to the light for a better look.

Just minutes before, Denny had taken a longer look at the Chinese Owl-Round Head pigeon.

"Nice birds," said Denny.

After long deliberations, Denny motioned to the American Show Racer, which was declared grand champion of the long line of pigeons on display at the SEMO District Fair.

The Chinese Owl was named reserve champion.

The two pigeons emerged the top two out of a total of 70 entries.

Denny, an American Bantam Association judge from Lebanon, Mo., spent the day in the barn housing pigeons, guinea pigs, poultry, rabbits and other small animals.

"This is my fifth year judging here," said Denny, who went from the pigeons to the guinea pig, and then to the rabbits. "I'll get into the bantam chickens next," he said.

"We had a total of more than 700 entries in the poultry/ small animal barn," said Phyllis Sinn, one of four superintendents who keep watch -- feeding and watering -- over the barn. "Mr. Denny will look at every one of them, during his judging."

Raising pigeons has come into vogue for many farmers and businessmen.

"I was really surprised when one of my entries finished as the reserve champion," said Larry Davenport, of Leopold. "I saw the Chinese Owl birds on Internet, and started looking around for some of them and finally found some in Southern Illinois.

Bill Holley, who had the grand champion pigeon, had eight pigeons entered in the fair.

Bill Dalton, who owns a mechanical shop in Gordonville, also had eight pigeons enter in the competition.

"I have a total of about 60 birds," said Dalton, who started raising pigeons when a number of his friends became involved with the birds. "There will probably be a large increase in entries next year," said Dalton.

Denny was one of several judges examining animals and produce at the fair, said Glen Birk, a SEMO District Fair Board Member involved in livestock events.

Judges will be looking at more than 1,000 animals Wednesday through Friday.

"They'll be looking at feet cattle, dairy cows, sheep, swine, draft horses and others," said Birk. "All of these judges know what they will be looking for."

In sheep, that will be the make-up of the animals for meat and wool. In the dairy division, they'll be looking at the animal and the milk.

"Each judge has standards they will be looking for," said Birk.

Judges have a new place to judge for beef and dairy cattle. "We have a brand new Livestock Show Arena," said Birk. "Judges can be looking at beef cattle in one end of the building, and dairy cattle in the other.

Various judging will take place throughout the week, including 4-H, FFA and "Open" divisions.

A special animal auction will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, featuring steers, barrows and lambs.

"We're hoping for a big turnout of buyers for this auction," said Birk.

Judges will also be evaluating future judges Wednesday, when FFA and 4-H students take their turn at judging a number of animals -- barrows, steers, and sheep. The students will be rated on their judging talents.

Also judged Tuesday was corn, wheat, soybeans, fescue, sorghum sweet clover, rice, barley, peanuts, sunflowers, and other grains and hay.