Farming Magazine - May, 2008

SHOW PREVIEW

Northeast Livestock Expo

The Maine Beef Producers, The Maine Sheep Breeders Association and the Boer Goat Breeders of Maine are offering their second annual Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE). To be held May 16-18 on the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine, NELE will draw beef cattle, sheep and Boer goats for shows, youth events and sales. In addition, for the second year, the Western Maine Rabbit Breeders Association will hold a show, and for the first time, there will be Alpacas on display and for sale.

For beef producers, there will be a commercial feeder calf sale on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and a purebred sale at 3 p.m. featuring multiple breeds. There will be both lamb and purebred sheep sales at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the Boer goats will have a sale Friday evening at 6 p.m. and a nationally sanctioned show beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. For all three species, there will be youth shows, educational opportunities and many opportunities to have fun over the course of all three days. Cook-off contests for youth featuring beef, lamb and goat dishes are a new addition for 2008, and there is an adult division for lamb.

A large commercial trade show is bringing suppliers from throughout the Northeast to exhibit and sell their agricultural products. Sale catalogs feature opportunities for both commercial vendors as well as farms to advertise and reach over 3,000 livestock producers in Maine and throughout the Northeast. The NELE planning committee is also seeking sponsors to help further support the event. All activities will be open to the public who will also be able to make purchases from vendors who will be offering a wide variety of livestock value added products.

For more information about the Expo, to find out about ways to participate or to get on the mailing list, contact Aldermere Farm at 207-236-2739 or e-mail aldermere@mcht.org. All information is also available on its Web site at www.northeastlivestockexpo.com.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 15
8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Animals may be checked in at respective receiving areas

Friday, May 16
8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Continue to check in animals at respective receiving areas

All day - Western Maine Rabbit Breeders demo and displays: Fur to Clothing

All day - Alpaca demonstration and display: Fiber to Clothing

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Educational Clinics

4 p.m.- 5 p.m. Youth Fitting contests for beef, sheep, goats

5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Judging of fitting contest animals

6 p.m. Multi-species review

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Fullbood and Percentage Boer Goat Sale (breeding stock, show prospects)

7 p.m. Youth Quiz Bowl

Saturday May 17, 2008
7:30 a.m. Youth and parent meeting for youth show participants

8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Youth Judging contest

All day - Western Maine Rabbit Breeders demo and displays: Fur to Clothing

All day - Alpaca demonstration and display: Fiber to Clothing

9:30 a.m. Pre-Conditioned Feeder Calf Sale

10:30 a.m. Market Lamb and Purebred Sheep Show for Sale Animals

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ABGA Sanctioned Open Boer Goat Show

9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. All youth showmanship classes in this order: sheep, beef, goats

1:30 p.m. Market Lamb and Purebred Sheep Sale

3 p.m. Purebred Cattle Sale

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. American Lamb Board Cook Off

6:30 p.m. Livestock Dinner

Sunday May 18, 2008
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Youth Judging Contest

All day - Alpaca demonstration and display: Fiber to Clothing

9 a.m. All Youth Type Classes for beef, goats and sheep

9 a.m. Western Maine Rabbit Breeders show

9 a.m. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Class