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Swine entries push limits of county fair facilities
McCOOK, Neb. — The immediate need is for more space for pigs.
Members of the Red Willow County 4-H Council told the county’s fair board Wednesday evening that the number of swine entries at the county fair continues to rise, and some changes are necessary to accommodate not only the growing number of hogs, but to keep all the animals comfortable in the hot Nebraska summer.
4-H Council chairman Becki Lampe and member Courtney Barger told fair board members that the Council wants to work as a team with the fair board to address 4-H’s list of immediate needs and to talk about long-term possibilities for the fairgrounds.
One dream is to host hog and beef shows in addition to the one week of county fair.
“If you build it, they will come,” Barger said, meaning that if the facilities are top-notch — like the Kiplinger arenas — the fairgrounds could attract and develop a reputation for livestock shows just as the Kiplinger facilities attract and are known nation-wide for their horse shows.
Fair board member Kalli Nelms said that while some of the listed projects are “more 4-H responsibility,” the fair board welcomes more communication and working together on projects that “affect all of us.”
4-H Council member Chelsea Benes said that existing barns are scattered and livestock facilities are somewhat outdated; they need more electrical outlets and improved wash rack facilities. Updates could mean more shows, more people, more money, she said. “That’s the return on your investment,” Barger told fair board members.
— The 4-H Council proposes it purchase a new portable beef scale with head catch, eventually eliminating the spring weigh-in on scales at the Tri-State sale barn and then at fair time on outdated (and suspected to be inaccurate) scales at the fairgrounds. Donna Kircher, UNL Extension 4-H assistant, asked how, if both weigh-ins were done on the fairgrounds, they could be scheduled compatibly with the Kiplinger horse show schedule, and where the scale could be stored on the fairgrounds. Fair board member Don Klein said the weigh-ins could be conducted in the rodeo arena, using its existing pen set-up. The only additional need then would be a cement pad on which to place the scale, he said.
— The 4-H Council suggests the current swine/sheep/goat barn needs extended cement flooring, a lean-to roof to create shade, and floor drains for runoff from the misters used to keep hogs cool. They recommend replacing panels that are 35+ years old. Fair board members pondered the possibility of using the Trudy and the enlarged Alice arenas for goat and sheep pens.
— The Council suggests removing horse stalls from the west side of the east barn and using this area for additional beef cattle out of the direct sun during the fair. 4-H’ers’ fair supplies and the supply of wood chips should be moved to the sunny sides of barns.
— Enhancements to “The Big Top,” the covered show arena, would make it more comfortable for animals, 4-H’ers and spectators. The Council envisions commercial mesh shades, more bleachers, an improved public address system and large ceiling fans.
— Air conditioning in the 4-H Building is an ultimate goal; Barger said the Council fields questions after the fair every year about why the 4-H Building isn’t air-conditioned. Deb Lafferty, the fair board secretary, said that the cost of installing and running air conditioning would far exceed rent proceeds they get from the building throughout the year.
Klein said a “running total” of the Council’s requests comes to about $145,000, adding, “We’re talking one week out of the year.” But Barger said the Council isn’t asking for everything in one year, nor are they asking the fair board to pay for everything by itself. The Council has already replaced some shelving and is working on more new shelving in the 4-H Building, she said. Enhancements throughout the beef/swine/goat/sheep facilities on the fairgrounds could lead to shows throughout the year, more people and more money, Benes said.
Kircher said that the 4-H Council is a private entity, not a government office. Its budget for the year is $13,000.
Barger said, “We want to work together, on priority projects such as space, and then on projects even over 5 and 10 years.”
She also said that 4-H’ers are wonderful “free labor,” available to help with projects to meet their community service requirements.
Nelms said she sees value in all the ideas, and assured 4-H Council members the fair board wants to communicate and work together.
Both entities agreed that one or two members of the 4-H Council will start to attend fair board meetings.