Showing a dairy cow means there is lots of work to be done before going to the 4-H/FFA Fair which begins Sunday and runs through Thursday, July 10.
    Preparing for the show means washing, clipping, brushing and lots of practice walking slowly around the ring, head up and topline straight all before going to the fair. Then there are the final preparations at the fair all for 20 minutes in the show ring.
    Chickasaw dairy project members spent several hours on Sunday, June 29, gaining hands-on experience with each facet of the process at the Dan Kime farm located east of Lawler.
    Junior Dairy Project Leader Cameron Hall did a clipping demonstration along with Chickasaw County Extension Director Fred Hall. Each member had the opportunity to practice clipping, and then led a calf in a “mock show ring” while Fred Hall visited with them about the traditions, ethics and protocols found in the dairy show ring.
    Each member had been asked to bring a dull set of clipper blades to the workshop and Cameron Hall showed the group how blades were sharpened with everyone going home with a sharp set of blades.
    Those attending the workshop included Justin and Robin Kime, Amanda Mueterthies, Cameron Hall, Katie Hauser, Nathan Arthur, Gavin Kime and Cody Schnieder.
    The first day of the Chickasaw County 4H/FFA Achievement Dairy Show at the Big Four Fairgrounds in Nashua is Sunday, July 6, beginning at 4 p.m. The achievement show continues with the sheep and non-livestock judging on Monday, beef judging on Tuesday and swine judging on Wednesday with the crowning of the fair queen that evening and on Thursday the show ends with the livestock auction.
    For more information about the dairy project or the upcoming achievement show, contact the Chickasaw County Extension Office at 104 E. Main St.,  New Hampton, or information can be accessed on the Web at www.extension.iastate.edu/chickasaw.