​Bruce County team participates in national 4-H Dairy Show at Royal Winter Fair

The seven-member Bruce County Classic Team took part in the TD Canadian Dairy Classic national 4-H Dairy Show at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto.

Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2:45 a.m., the team began the long drive to Toronto, after spending weeks preparing for this event.
Every county or region across Canada can send a team of eight showmen and one herdsman to compete. These teams consist of the best 4-H members who have spent their summer competing to earn a spot. This year, there were 360 youth entered in the show.

Bruce County’s team included Molly King showing Nor Bella Dixson Elsa, Julia Ferrier showing Nor Bella Easton Daydream, Sarah Weber showing Nor Bella Falco Pixie, Dusty Bryson showing EDL Tubular Oak, Larissa Bryson showing EDL Parsons Dawn, June Ibbotson showing Diemertdale Energy Latte, and Maria Weber showing Nor Bella Dixson Pineapple.

Winning a spot on the team was just the start; next, came all the work to get the team ready to compete in Toronto. From finding sponsors to booking hotel rooms, gathering supplies, and arranging transportation for all, there was a lot to be done. Saturday (Nov. 2) was a busy day of loading the supply trailer, as well as washing and clipping the calves' hair.

The team arrived in Toronto at 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. The first job was to set up the county display and prepare the pack for the calves. Each team is given a space to set up an exhibit to promote its county or region, introduce its team, and thank its sponsors. The team’s display focused on Bruce County’s three main industries: agriculture, tourism, and energy, as well a little of the county’s history.

The pack is where the calves live during the show. A base of wood bark was laid out and fresh pine shavings were spread on top to give the calves a soft dry bed. A wood frame was built around it to keep everything contained, neat and tidy. Finally a rubber mat was rolled out in front to give the calves good footing and help prevent fatigue from standing on the concrete for three days.

By the time the team finished setting up, the trailer carrying the calves was about 10 minutes away, giving the team members time to sign dozens of thank you cards to send to their sponsors.

Once off the trailer, the calves went through two stations. The first is an ID check to confirm that the calf registered is the same one that arrived at the fair. The second station is a veterinarian check to make sure all the calves arriving are in good health.

The next stop was the wash racks for a bath to wash off any dirt or stains the calves had picked up in the past 24 hours. An hour later, five clean heifers were relaxing on the Bruce County pack. Unfortunately, two of the team members' heifers were unable to go.

The rest of the day was taken up with caring for the calves, meeting and greeting fair-goers, and prepping for the showmanship classes Monday morning. At the end of the day, the team members took their calves to get some exercise, by walking them on Manitoba Drive which was closed for the Royal.

Once all the calves were settled for the night, the team called a couple of Ubers and headed to the hotel.

Monday morning, Nov. 4, the team was back in the barn by 3 a.m., cleaning the pack, feeding and washing calves. Opening ceremonies started at 9:30 a.m. in which June had the honor of carrying the 4-H Canada flag. Molly represented Bruce in the Parade of Counties. Following the opening ceremonies, junior showmanship commenced.

During showmanship, the judges evaluate the club members as they present their calves to their greatest advantage. Despite the Bruce County team not winning any ribbons, the members and their calves were well-received with many compliments and some suggestions on how to improve in the future.

Tuesday, Nov. 5, was another early morning as the team prepared for the conformation classes. Unlike showmanship, where the focus is on how the showmen and their calf work together, conformation is based on how well the calf conforms to its breed's ideal. The classes are divided by breed and age. This year, Bruce County had four entries in the colour breed class and one entry in the Holstein Summer Yearling Class.

Maria placed ninth with Pineapple, Sarah placed 13th with Pixie, Julia placed 18th with Daydream, and Molly placed 19th with Elsa.

The show concluded with the group of three, as well as the Herdsman and Premiere County Awards.

After that, all that was left to do was pack up all the tack and supplies, load up the calves on the trailer and make the long drive home.

Overall, the team had a great time at the Royal with more than 250 visitors to the county display. The team thanks all the generous sponsors, without them none of this would have been possible.