Market Lamb – Southeastern Youth Fair

Show / Contest Coordinator

Ty Springer, 352-804-8201

More about the Market Lamb Contest

Sheep are a unique animal with a rich past and gentle demeanor. For 10,000 years, they have provided humanity with food, clothing, and shelter. The care of sheep has often been delegated to the younger generation, and that tradition continues at the Southeastern Youth Fair. Unlike the larger livestock projects that often need parental and teacher supervision with the project animal, the market lambs are more easily managed completely by the exhibitors themselves. The smaller size of this livestock project does not negate the need for training. Although generally gentle in nature, lambs are easily frightened and require a big dose of patient handling to prepare for the show ring. The goal of each exhibitor is to present to the judge a lamb that is well-balanced and carries good muscling and thickness.Therefore, exercise becomes a key to the training process and many students walk their lambs over a mile each day. In order to give the judge the best look at the balance of their individual lamb, the exhibitors work hard to train their lambs to stand square and to maintain that position for up to ten minutes. Although it is not a requirement, many handlers become so attuned with their lambs that they are able to show with no halter whatsoever. The exhibitors must also complete a record book detailing the work they have done on this project in order to compete with their animal. The Grand and Reserve Champions in the Market Show receive an added bonus in this project: a blanket, made from the wool taken from the sheep shearing in late January, is awarded to these winners as a special reminder of their achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my child eligible? Any student older than 8 years of age and up, who attends the mandatory meeting, is a member of a 4H club or FFA chapter, and either lives in or goes to school in Marion County, and pays entry fee may enter this contest.

How much does it cost? $15 entry fee.

Rules

Market Lamb Rules

Winners

Grand Champion – Caleb Smith, Belleview MS FFA

Reserve Grand Champion – Casey Oliver, Belleview Bald Eagles 4H

Edsel Rowan Award –Chloe Davis, Belleview MS FFA

Premier Exhibitor – Ashley Estrada, Romeo Roundup 4H

Class 1 – Nathan Mulhall,Belleview HS, Sr. FFA

Class 2 – Lailah Eary, Majestic Oaks 4H

Class 3 –Abbey McClinton, Liberty MS FFA

Class 4 – Rossie Bozeman, Ft. McCoy FFA

Class 5 – Alyssa Neal, Lake Weir HS FFA

Class 6 – Ashley Estrada, Romeo Roundup 4H

Class 7 – Casey Oliver, Belleview Bald Eagles 4H

Class 8 – Caleb Smith, Belleveiw MS FFA

Record Book

Junior – Kaitlyn Alvord, Boots & Buckles 4H

Intermediate – Kaelynn Held, Chesney Doney, NMMS FFA

Senior – Pierson Graham, Hands On 4H

Showmanship

Junior – Ashley Estrada, Romeo Roundup 4H

Intermediate – Caleb Smith, Belleview MS FFA

Senior – Sofia Vives, Belleview Bald Eagles 4H

Skill-A-Thon

Junior – Aleigh Jo Hicks, Ocklawaha Lil’ Bits 4H

Intermediate – Lacey Clemons, Belleview MS FFA

Senior – Emily DiMichele, Belleview HS FFA

Resources

Market Lamb Entry Form only available at Mandatory Meeting

Charitable Sale Agreement (if you’re selling your animal for a charity organization)

Market Lamb Buyer List

Nutrition Skillathon Study Guide

Scholarships / Special Awards

Edsel Rowan Award

The Edsel Rowan Trophy, which has been presented at the Lamb Show since its inception in 1987, will again be presented by the Ocala/Marion Country Chamber of commerce to the Market Lamb Exhibitor whose Iamb has achieved the highest weight gain. This trophy was named in honor of long time Marion County Extension Agent, Edsel Rowan. Mr. Rowan’s career as an agent was filled with long hours, hard work, and a genuine desire to help the people of Marion County. He was known statewide for his expertise in the production of important Florida crops. He is credited for ensuring the establishment of the Thoroughbred Horse industry in Marion Country, his knowledge and assistance in developing pasture grasses suitable for horses in Florida’s climate. Mr. Rowan received many awards for his remarkable dedication to serving the agricultural industries in Florida. However, through all the years, his first love was the youth of Marion County. He loved to watch kids achieve and be recognized for their work. Upon his retirement in 1982, the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion and the Agricultural Center Complex was renamed the Rowan Agricultural Complex in honor of his 31 plus years of dedicated service.

Thank You Market Lamb Sponsors

Farm Credit of Florida

Peter & Mary Lou Van Note

Faith Hughes

Terry & Sherry Roberts

Belleview Veterinary Hospital

Ocala Equine Hospital

Sparr Building and Farm Supply/Purina Feeds

Terri and Bobby Latner

McRae Cattle

Herbert Counts Paving Company

PiP printing

Carpet One of Ocala

Morning Glory Farm

Showcase Properties

Sponsorship Opportunities

You Can Help

SEYF is a non-profit, and is reliant on help from the community in the form of donations of money, services and time. Click below to get involved and help us help the youth of Marion County.

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