BALLINGER, Texas — The time of year many Texans look forward to is finally here. Livestock season will kick off with the Runnels County Junior Livestock Show.
Included in the show will be 113 exhibitors from places including Winters, Ballinger, Miles and Tom Green County.
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension County Extension Agent Marty Vahlenkamp said children begin as soon as they can so they’ll get the help they need to go big in the event.
“We get them started as soon as we can. We start them in third grade. A lot of times, they start off with one animal and just maybe show at the county show and kind of get their feet wet. Or we’ve got some who start off with a whole barn full of animals and are going to the major stock shows,” Vahlenkamp shared.
At the livestock show, there will be an estimated 100 market hogs, 40 market goats, 65 market lambs, 20 heifers, 30 show steer and breeding rabbits.
These livestock shows and events can’t go on without the continuous support of the community and volunteers. They're hoping it continues this year.
“It's volunteers that put these on as well as the San Angelo Stock Show. There’s a lot of volunteers that give back to the communities that help these youth out. So talking to them about things that we needed to get done that we had forgotten about or slip through the cracks is what we really appreciate,” Vahlenkamp said.
The Runnels County Junior Livestock Show will take place from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13-Jan 15 at the Ballinger Community Center, 200 Crosson Ave.
If you would like to support the youth financially, you can either participate in the premium sale, give your donation at the show office, or stop by the Runnels County Extension Office for more information.