Yes, Mower County.

Monday, June 25, 2001

Yes, Mower County. There will be a 4-H livestock show this summer at the Mower County Fair.

And with it, there will be the annual 4-H market livestock ribbon auction, the largest fund-raiser for 4-H programming in Mower County.

That also means, the various FFA livestock shows and open class shows at the Mower County Fair will be held this August.

Speculation that the livestock competitions could be canceled because of fears for the invasion of the dreaded foot and mouth disease have caused some to question if 4-Hers and FFAers would be allowed to bring their livestock projects to the county fair in Austin.

Ann Walter, a Mower County Extension Service educator, says, "Yes, the show will go on."

"There have been concerns, but right now there will be livestock competition at the Mower County Fair," Walter said. "The Minnesota State Fair plans to continue with its livestock competition in September and I’m not aware of any county canceling any of its 4-H or FFA livestock shows."

According to Walter, biosecurity measures at the Mower County Fair will be strict as usual, including the presence of the Austin Veterinary Clinic’s veterinarians on the fairgrounds.

In addition, warning signs will be posted everywhere about the dangers of foot and mouth disease.

She said a county fair or even the Minnesota State Fair do not have the save concerns about the spread of the disease that the National Barrow Show has.

"Our exhibitors come from the farms in the county. We know who they are and they are generally kept under the controls that are in place for the spread of any disease, but something like the Barrow Show, which attracts so many exhibitors from all over the United States and foreign visitors, as well, is another worry," Walter said.

Also, Walter indicated the Minnesota Department of Health has also agreed with both the Minnesota State Fair and individual counties’ livestock competitions that the shows can continue this summer.

Both foot and mouth disease as well as the bovine spongiform encephalopathy or "mad cow disease" are also being targeted for public awareness this summer by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Extensive campaigns to educator livestock producers about the dangers from both diseases are under way with the Mower County Extension Service the local source of information on both.

Hormel Foods Corp. and the National Association of Swine Records already has announced plans to cancel the 2001 National Barrow Show in September, because of concerns about foot and mouth disease.

However, the American Berkshire Conference still plans to hold its own breed show at the fairgrounds in late-July.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.