Members of the Northeast Texas Livestock Association met on Thursday night in the Sulphur Springs High School Vocational Agriculture Building, to make final preparations for the upcoming Hopkins County Market Show and Sale. The show and sale will be conducted in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on February 23, 24, & 25, with the Sale of Champions on Saturday night, February 25.

Hopkins County Agricultural Agent, Larry Spradlin, interested parents, and supporters met in the
SSHS Vo Ag Building to finalize plans for the upcoming Hopkins County Market Show, Thursday night.

"We've got our work 'cut-out' for us with an increase in numbers for the show this year and the sale of 135 lots in the sale," expressed Brad Johnson, President of the NETLA organization, in his opening remarks of calling the meeting to order. "I'm excited about the show and we are representing 234 kids that are depending on us to market their animals, that they've worked so hard with!"

Johnson accepted committee reports from each of the division superintendents and each reflected an increase in numbers of exhibitors from last year. "I have 28 steers compared to 20 last year," denoted Brian Wright, Steer Superintendent, as he gave his report.

These guys were talking steers..............Brian Wright, Vo Ag Teacher at Sulphur Bluff, left, serves as the
2006 Steer Superintendent, as he discusses some of the necessary preparations with Murphy Howle, a parent
of two steer exhibitors, at Thursday night's meeting.

"We have 108 pigs entered in the show," stated Richard Dannheim, Swine Superintendent. "That's up from 92 last year!"

"And, my records reflect 86 goats as opposed to only 64 last year," expressed Michael Phillips, Sheep and Goat Superintendent. "We have 26 lambs entered, up from 21 last year!"

Johnny Lennon stated, "I'm reporting 63 pens of broilers entered this year, opposed to only 58 last year."

"These records reflect 311 animals validated for the 2006 show, up from 253 last year, and represent 234 kids, as opposed to only 192 for the 2005 show," summarized Johnson. "That will reflect an increase in the number of animals that will be sold, as the sale numbers are a reflection of the number of entries."

At the drawing board......Michael Phillips, Superintendent of the Sheep and Goats, left, and Richard Dannheim,
right, Swine Superintendent, discuss the increased numbers of participants in their respective divisions, for the
upcoming 2006 show and sale.

In other business, the group outlined the procedures for conducting a concession stand that will be open throughout the show and profits will be used to award scholarships to local exhibitors, as a means of advancing their college educations. "I want to say 'Thank God For Mr. & Mrs. Randy Caddell,' who have agreed to serve as chairmen of the 2006 concession stand," expressed Johnson. "We all need to aid them in this monumental task of coordinating the effort!"

The Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau Sponsored Buyers Luncheon was discussed and once again Andy and Mary Lou Wright will be catering a Prime Rib dinner for all prospective buyers, at the First Baptist Church, on February 22nd, at noon. The lunch is to show appreciation to those community volunteers and businesses that purchase the many animal projects in the Sale of Champion and to recognize those who are the larger buyers in the sale. This year Circle E Western Wear will be awarding a nice door prize to some lucky participant, whose name is drawn at the luncheon.

The next topic of discussion was the Buyers Dinner, sponsored by the Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers organization, that is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, preceding the Sale of Champions. Hopkins County Stew and Chili will be served, courtesey of the Ag Workers, along with homemade desserts brought by the parents of the exhibitors. All prospective buyers are invited to attend the pre-sale activity.

Melissa Fouse, Chairman of the Buyers' Dinner Committee, reflects on the responsibilities associated with
feeding a large group of people and coordinating the many tasks involved in hosting the event, at Thursday
night's planning meeting.

 

Awards, ribbons, sale ring construction, and advertising were all discussed, as each committee outlined their preparations for the large show.

Then, a lengthy discussion concerning the processing of animals that buyers want to take to the locker plant, following the show. Preparations have already been secured to have animals processed and time slots were to be handled through the superintendent of each specie in the sale.

Various assignments were made for auctioneers, ringmen, and other duties throughout the show and sale, as well as a report that a new computer and software had been purchased to computerize the show and sale, this year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m., with an enthusiastic crowd looking forward to the upcoming show and sale!

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