Local youth beef up agricultural skills in new 4-H market steer program

The Kawartha Lakes Haliburton 4-H Association has a new event this year, with the goal of producing a new crop of agricultural leaders.

The 4-H program, called the market steer club, is open to all youth aged nine to 21 with a variety of skill and backgrounds. The end goal is to teach participants new skills in leadership, business and self-confidence.

The market steer club invites participants to raise and prepare steers for auction, set to take place on Aug. 10. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and entrepreneurship, with all proceeds from each auctioned steer going directly to its respective owner.

This opportunity offers young participants a hands-on introduction to a lesser-known side of the beef industry. Erika MacEachern’s son, Brior, is among those taking part, and she says it’s been rewarding to witness the growing appreciation these kids now have for beef production, something she said most people take for granted without realizing the labour-intensive process behind raising cattle. “They go through the ethics of raising steer through the needs and rights (of the steer),” she said.

“At the end they get to sell their steer for purchase and have to go onto its next purpose,” MacEachern said. “I think it’s just a nice thing that’s happening.”

Everyone is welcome to the auction, which will be happening at Victoria Beef Farmers BBQ at 3077 Elm Tree Rd.

For the youth taking part in the club, it has been a learning process. For Ben Hayes and his steer, Timmy, the biggest takeaway has been “patience.” Hayes feels that the skills he’s learned are ones he’ll keep for life. “Farming has taught me a lot about responsibility and hard work, and I’m proud to be building my skills and experience in agriculture.”

Evelyn Yates has found that dealing with her cow, Stuart Little, is a very different experience than she’s used to with her goats. “It’s been a learning experience. It’s hard breaking a bigger steer, so you have to get on it.”

As Brior MacEachern explains with his steer, Market Moe, breaking in the animal involves, “tying them smaller and then you slowly start walking with them by haltering them.”

Each steer requires a lot of work from feeding and brushing to halter breaking. In order to sell at auction buyers will be looking for healthy looking animals, so upkeep is of the most importance. MacEachern finds that his steer is in prime condition.

“Market Moe has solid muscle, a quiet attitude and will make a high-quality beef animal.”

With things wrapping up with the market steer program, the participants are looking forward to the auction. Yates will spend her earnings caring for her family’s cow and sheep flocks. Hayes isn’t sure what he’ll spend his money on but he’s looking forward to “getting paid for my accomplishments.”