Reeder twins get ready for The Show

Routine daily handling helps ensure that Tarra Reeder’s Maine Anjou steer will be tame and manageable when it’s their turn in the show ring. Van’Go’photo With the Leon County Youth Livestock Show just weeks away, area 4-H and FFA students are in the final days of preparing their project animals. The Buffalo Press staff is interviewing several students to learn exactly what is involved, and share that with our readers.

Fourteen-year-old twins Tarra and Shelby Reeder have participated in the show through 4-H since they were third graders, showing commercial heiffers. This year the BHS freshmen are show- ing steers for the first time. The rookies are enjoying the new experience and listed plenty of advisors: “Our dad (Danny Reeder), Tom Davis and our ag teacher Bobby Terry -- he helps us a lot!”

Tarra is showing a Maine Anjou steer, and Shelby’s calf is a Limousine. The girls explained that they compete by breed in the major shows, but will compete in weight classes at LCYLS, and both of these breeds are large calves. Shelby pointed out what the judges will be looking for -- straight lines, good structure and muscle, and Tarra explained, “Back when our dad, Uncle Brent and Aunt Debbie showed, they used to exercise the steers to build muscle -- tie ‘em behind tractors and work ‘em. These days they say muscle tone depends on the breed. To get a show calf you have to have the right genetics.”

“Come ON, steer....” Shelby Reeder works her steer into a squeeze chute for grooming. Van’Go’photo To get those genetics, the Reeders bought their calves from reputable breeders in Marquez and Bryan, but the next factor in success in the show ring will be how well the girls handle their steers and set them up for the judges. “When we first got them, we spent a few days just feeding them and getting them used to us, but since then we have handled them daily to get them tame. We walk them a lot, run the water hose over them, rub bags over them, blow them dry. We try to get them used to noises so they can handle all the activity at the livestock shows,” one sister explained. The girls have been going to a lot of small shows in preparation for “the big one” -- they showed at Houston last week.

In addition to the initial investment of buying the animals, the Reeders agreed that feed is the other big expense, and admit that their dad has footed the bill for that. Their mom, Cyndi, added that any money the girls make will go toward their college funds. This experience, she explained, is “something to keep them busy and out of trouble.”

Enjoy this year’s Market Steer Show at the LCYLS on Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m. Junior and Senior steer showmanship competition will follow the steer show, and there will be adult steer showmanship after that, which is always fun. The Premium Sale will be Friday, April 2 at 6:00.