An important aspect for next year’s Greene County Fair is happening this weekend for a popular livestock group.

Greene County ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway tells Raccoon Valley Radio the Market Beef Weigh-In is this Sunday at the pen of three barn on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson. She says 4-H’ers that are only going to show their market beef at the 2023 Greene County Fair can come from 1-2:30pm, and 4-H’ers that will also show at next year’s Iowa State Fair should come between 2:30 and 4pm, as that’s when retinal imaging will be done. Hardaway talks about the costs that 4-H’ers and their families need to be aware of.

“The only cost would be the retinal imaging fee which is $5 per head of beef that you have retinal imaged. The other cost would be ear tags, but thankfully our Greene County Cattlemen (Association) cover that cost for youth. So if you see them, say a ‘thank you.’ There will also be a ‘thank you’ there for them to sign that we’re grateful that they cover that cost for the kids and allow more kids to participate in the show.”

Hardaway suggests that if a 4-H’er is unsure if they are wanting to show at the state fair, to get the retinal imaging done on Sunday anyway. Contact the Greene County Extension Office in Jefferson for more information at 515-386-2138.