Junior Livestock Show
is cow-a-bunga
By KEVIN LIMITI• Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
MIDDLEFIELD — The first thing noticeable at The 73rd Farmers’ Museum Junior Livestock Show is the noise.
Monday, July 12, there was loud mooing from all angles, a result of the cow show going on all morning.
The cow’s demeanors varied, with some placidly walking around the judging tent where the judging, while others struggled with their handlers or stubbornly dug in. However, none of them liked to be separated from their calves.
Because of COVID, the museum made the decision to not allow any visitors to the show, opting to instead record it via Zoom and broadcast it via
The show included handlers, ages 8 to 18, presenting animals they have raised personally.
Gavin Fetterman, 18, who won the Master Showman Award for the Hereford breed, also did a show in Brookfield recently and said that he has a lot of fun at these events.
“It’s definitely fun. It’s a different type of hobby,” Fetterman said. “It’s not about the winning it’s just about everything we’ve accomplished over the years.”
Fetterman showed Harley, a well-behaved, mild mannered cow.
The announcer judged the cows as if judging a old-fashioned beauty contest, noting hip size and femininity are part of the criteria for judging cows.
J.P. Ruff, who won Grand Champion for the Charolais breed, said he had a fun time but he most enjoys bonding with the animals.
“I like showing them and taking care of them,” Ruff said. “I like the relationship you make with them.”
Meg Preston, Farmer’s Museum event’s coordinator, said she has special feelings about the show.
“This is my favorite event, ever,” Preston said. “It’s a real wholesome show. The people, the animals, just every about it. It’s a great show.”
The show has been held at three locations, with it originally being at The Farmers’ Museum showground. Including Otsego County, the show works with nine different counties, making it the second largest livestock show in New York.
The three-day event began Sunday, July 11, with showings of sheep and goats. Monday afternoon featured showings of pigs and Tuesday, July 13, is scheduled to be showings of cattle heifers.
