Dates set for annual Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show

The 59th annual Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show will be held Feb. 14-15, with the Premium Sale taking place on Feb. 16 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, according to Jace Goodwin, Sequoyah County agent for the OSU Extension Office.

Contrary to rumor about a virus delaying dates of the show, Goodwin said the county show hasn’t changed dates this year, but they may very well change next year.

“In this case, we are facing PEDV, or Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Vi- rus. Our state show, OYE or Oklahoma Youth Expo, has faced several threats of PED in the past few years and are trying to give enough time for swine that may be infected time to cycle through,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin said PEDV occurs in swine of all ages, but shows a great threat and less chance of survival for younger-aged hogs.

“The main sign of a hog being infected is watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite, which can cause dehydration and furthermore death,” he said. “Transmission of PEDV is both direct and indirect; fecaloral transmission, and contamination through equipment/personal clothing such as shoes, most commonly. Using strict Biosecurity practices is excellent in helping with stopping the spread of PEDV, and there are killed-virus vaccinations to give to sows before farrowing as well.”

Goodwin said he invites everyone to come out and support the county’s local young agriculturalists.

“The Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show is a standing tradition within the county that continues to help grow and develop our young community of agriculturalists,” Goodwin said.

“We are expecting a larger group of exhibitors, larger crowd, and many memories to be made. We are excited and ready for the show and welcome everyone to come out and witness the hard work the 4-H and FFA members of Sequoyah County have put in to their projects over the year,” he said.

Marty Green, executive director of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, said those in attendance at the Chamber’s monthly membership meeting at 12 noon on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds building will have an opportunity to meet some of the youth participating in the show.

“We’ve asked each school district to have at least one of their students speak at the meeting,” he said. “This will give those students an opportunity to tell what their club or chapter is involved in, making them guests at our noon meal.”

The chamber collects and disburses monies from the sale to the youth once it has all been collected from the buyers, Green said.

According to Goodwin, all animals will be weighed and sifted between 9 a.m. and noon the day of the show.

The livestock show will kick off at 9 a.m. Wednesday with check-ins for sheep, goat and cattle, followed by the Chamber luncheon at noon.

At 5 p.m., the show will begin as follows: Doe Goats, Wether Goats, Wether Goat Sale Order, Goat Showmanship, Lambs, Lamb Sale Order, Sheep Showmanship, Heifers, Heifer Sale Order, Steers, Steer Sale Order and Beef Showmanship.

Thursday’s schedule will begin with check-in for swine from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. At 10 a.m. there will be a 4-H Impressive Dress Contest.

At 5 p.m., the schedule includes a Breeding Gilt Jackpot, Market Barrows, Barrow Sale Order and Swine Showmanship.

Friday’s schedule includes a Bidder’s Barbecue at 6 p.m. and the Premium Auction at 7 p.m. Tommy Wright will serve as auctioneer.

The Sequoyah County Fairgrounds are located at 464101 E. 1070 Rd. (East Redwood and Shirley) in Sallisaw. If inclement weather occurs, Goodwin said the show will be moved to Feb. 21-23.