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Dixon the Hugging Calf loves his bottle mama
The youngest fair participants learn the ropes with the Bucket/Bottle Calf show
MT. PLEASANT — Thursday, the youngest group of fair kids took to the show ring with the youngest livestock in the Bottle Animal Show.
Henry County Farm Bureau hosted the non-competitive bottle animal show for the 2022 fair season.
This is a free event offered to students coming out of the first or second grade.
The purpose of the show is to get the youngest generation acclimated to the fair atmosphere and spark interest in 4H.
There is also a Bucket Bottles Animal Show hosted by Henry County Extension and 4H for participants in at least third grade.
Bucket calves must be born after Jan. 1 and before June 1, 2022, and fed with milk other than from the mother cow for at least thirty days.
Bottle lambs and goats must be born between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2022.
This event teaches participants the basics of showing livestock at the fair including record keeping, animal care, and the physical act of showing the animals.
Former Mt. Pleasant Agriculture teacher Matt Jones headed up the interviews for this event alongside Henry County’s 2023 Miss United States of Agriculture Hayleigh McPherson of Danville.
McPherson was a little nervous as this was her first experience in this position at a fair.
Jones and McPherson interviewed Kreea Lee from Salem Sprouts Kids about her calf Dixon before the Bucket/Bottle Show.
Lee is a fourth-grader from Salem and this is her second year in the bottle calf event.
Jones asked questions about how Lee cared for the calf and concluded, “You’re his mom, his doctor, and his chef.”
When asked what Lee would be doing with Dixon after the Henry County Fair, Lee said, “maybe take him to the state fair.”
She then showed her affection for the fluffy calf by rubbing him in his favorite spot to be petted, and Dixon showed his affection in kind by wrapping his head around her legs in a hug-like gesture.
“You did an awesome job with him,” Jones encouraged the young agriculturally minded participant. “You did an awesome job today, and you’re gonna o an awesome job tonight.”
As Lee chatted, Dixon snuggled up to her and got the hiccups, which made everyone smile.
According to Lee the most important things she has learned include, “Don’t leave the feed door open and make sure to give them loving and care.”
Dixon the hugging calf certainly appeared to have plenty of that sweet care from his person.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
Jolyn Martin gives her bottle calf, Michelle, some love after Michelle very vocally requested her attention. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Bottle/Bucket Calf participants got a chance to practice showing their live stock in the show ring at the Henry County Fair Thursday. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
Former Mt. Pleasant Agriculture teacher Matt Jones (middle) headed up the interviews of the bucket/bottle calf participants alongside Henry County’s 2023 Miss United States of Agriculture Hayleigh McPherson (left). This was an opportunity to prepare nervous new showers for what was to come, and get to know how much each had learned in their time with their calves. The two enjoyed meeting Kreea Lee and her calf, Dixon. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
