Kenzie Lawrence making final preparations for the Angelina County Fair next week
Kenzie Lawrence will be showing one her market goats in the Angelina County Fair next Thursday, March 27 at the George H Henderson Expo in Lufkin.
It is just a few days until the Angelina County Youth Fair and 61 FFA and 4-H members across the county are feeding their goats in preparation for this year’s market goat show sponsored by JM Chevrolet.
Kenzie Lawrence is the daughter of Zach and Amanda Lawrence and is in both the Hudson FFA and Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. She has an older brother, Jacob, and a younger sister Baylee. Jacob is a student at Stephen F Austin State University who is still involved in the market goat industry. Little sister Baylee is in kindergarten and has already started showing in pee-wee competitions.
Kenzie said, “I started with three goats this year, but showed one at the Houston Livestock Show. He sold, so now I have two left – one for a big show in Austin and the other for the County Fair.”
She said her family’s involvement in raising and showing livestock began because her mom wanted them to “get out of the house and find something outside that they would really enjoy.” She also credits the Chumley’s, family friends of the Lawrences, that were already showing livestock. “Caylee Chumley is a good friend of mine and has helped me out a lot.”
“I love going to the auctions earlier in the year and picking out what I want to raise. I get so close to them, name them, and… sometimes it is a love/hate relationship! But I really do love working with them” says Kenzie. She continues, “I really enjoy everything that comes with the shows – spending time with old friends and making new friends.”
When asked what the most difficult part was, she replied, “The commitment. You really have to be committed. I haven’t skipped working with my goats a single day. You must have commitment and be determined to get where you want to be.”
Kenzie is a freshman at Hudson High this year and will be an Ambassador at the Fair. She said, “I get to be an Ambassador this year for my first time.” While she has always helped out with the Fair, this year she will be wearing the coveted ‘blue vest’ that youth Ambassadors wear to signify their responsibility.
Like some other livestock projects, meat goats raised for this year’s show were entered and ownership was validated in December prior to the Fair. At the weigh-in at the Fair, market goats must weigh a minimum of 65 lbs. and cannot weigh more than 125 lbs. All goats below or above of the weight limit will be disqualified. Market goats will be divided by weight into four classes: light, medium light, medium heavy and heavy.
When you watch the market goat show, you should notice a stocky, more muscular build than the dairy goat breed types that are more commonly known. By far the predominant meat goat breed represented in the show ring is a Boer bred goat. The Boer breed has a distinctive red head and white body.
Raising a competitive market goat requires gentling, halter-breaking, hoof trimming, managing for parasites, and a good deal of practice showing. As much as the other species, goats require an excellent feeding regimen and quality facilities.
Exhibitors will show them with a halter or collar around the neck. Like lamb exhibitors, they set the hind legs square to the body and back a bit, then place the front legs, keeping the body and neck straight.
When the judge handles the goat, they look closely at then entire length of the back for muscling that extends from behind the withers (top of the shoulders) to the back loin.
Kenzie has been showing market goats for six years, starting as soon as she was old enough. She’ll also be showing a lamb for the first time and is again competing in photography as she has entered her best photos for as many years as she has shown goats.
Kenzie says, “Showing livestock has really made me the person that I am now. I guess if you want to learn those life lessons and make friends, I’d suggest you join 4-H or FFA and raise an animal. They don’t all take a lot to time like goats, sheep, or cattle, you can do a short-term project like rabbits and chickens. It’s a welcoming community.”
Her mom Amanda summed it up saying, “I’m so proud of Kenzie for her dedication and love for her animals. She spends so much time at the barn, and she pours her life into these projects. Really, we all spend so much time with them in the barn! We love the animals we get to work with and really love the friendships we’ve made as we have been showing all these years.”
After the judge determines his placing for all 61 market goat entries, only the top 42 goats will be sold at auction on Saturday, March 29 starting at 4 pm. The Angelina County Fair is presented by Brookshire Brothers and has numerous sponsors for each of the events. For a complete schedule of this year’s Angelina County Fair, go to www.angelinacountyfair.com.
