The 15 minutes before taking an animal out to show is time well spent for 4-H’ers hoping to have their animals make a good impression.
Ethan Burgett was preparing to show off Whitey, one of his three calves, Wednesday morning. He had the calf securely harnessed as he worked to get it looking its best for the judges.
He thoroughly brushed the entire coat, used a sheen spray to lighten it up, and made sure to fluff out the tail. Whitey didn’t mind at all.
“They like it,” Burgett said.
The 17-year-old 4-H’er from Trafalgar has four steer and three calves at the Johnson County fair, which meant a busy schedule of preparations and showings.
Getting them to follow along for the showing is never a challenge, he said.
Burgett bottle feeds all of them as babies, which helps create a bond where they feel comfortable with him, he said.
