Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Pascual Hernandez, 325-387-3101, p-hernandez@tamu.edu
SONORA – The 80th annual Wool and Mohair Show set for June 13-15 in the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center, 1700 N. Crockett Street in Sonora, has some changes in store, an official said.
The event coincides with the 57th National 4-H Wool Judging, 17th FFA Wool Judging contests and other ranch-related youth judging competitions. All activities are conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Sonora Lions Club, Sonora Wool and Mohair Co. and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce.
“The most notable change will occur in the mohair fleece competition,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County. “Fleece entries will not be designated as being produced by a buck or doe this year, but will be entered by grade alone and must weigh from 5-7 pounds. The idea is to reward quality above all other criteria including weight. Each grade will be judged solely on the individual fleece’s style, character, yield, length and feel regardless of gender.
“The second change will be that prize money will be given for first through third place in both the wool and mohair shows.”
Hernandez said all of the events are intended to encourage profitable livestock production, knowledge of rangeland vegetation, and proper wool and mohair fleece preparation.
“We also try to make these events fun learning experiences aimed at ranching practices common in our range production area, Hernandez said. ”
Hernandez said events will begin with the weighing and tagging of wool and mohair fleece entries at 10 a.m. June 13. All fleeces must be turned in by 3:30 p.m. that day.
Invitational judging contest registration will start at 7 a.m. June 14. Livestock judging competition will begin at 8:15 a.m. that day, as will judging of the junior wool and mohair entries.
Range judging participants will depart from the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center at 10 a.m. The day’s wool and mohair judging contest will begin at 1:30 p.m. June 14 at the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center.
The national 4-H and FFA wool judging contests begin at 8 a.m. June 15, also at the civic center.
The three days of activities will conclude with an 11:30 a.m. awards luncheon June 15 sponsored by the Sonora Lions Club and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce at the civic center.
For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101, or http://sutton.agrilife.org.
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