Iowa State Fair animals on display

DES MOINES, Iowa –The Iowa State Fair got its start through showing agricultural products from all over the state.

Wednesday there was a big cattle show at the Livestock Pavilion.

There was stiff competition here, lots of friends and families coming to watch. Chandler Ludwig of Alma Iowa, has been showing for five years, but this is her first year at the State Fair. She was showing her steer named Outlaw, the winner in its division.

“It’s very busy but it’s worth it and it’s really it’s an honor to even get to be here because these are like the best of the best animals,” said Ludwig. “It’s just so much fun getting to be around all these animals that are high dollar and getting to feel how much fun it is really to get to compete.”

While getting ready for sheep or goat shows, there is time to stop for a haircut.

For Alexandra Zahradnick of Benton County it’s time to get the jacket on Franchesco, her goat. The jacket helps to keep the flies off. She keeps real busy working with her goats on a farm near Luzerne Iowa.

“We get up and we walk him, or sometimes I like to take them around our yard and it just builds muscle and gets some exercise so that they don’t get stiff.” said Zahradnick. “He eats corn, oats, and hay. I’ve got to get ready for the show, and check in and weigh him.”

If you like large animals, they’re all here nearby the Pavilion. The biggest bull is named Teddy Bear, he weighed in at 3060 pounds. He’s from Reuben Farms near Saylorville.

The biggest boar weighed at 1,420 pounds. His name is Finegan, raised by Bryan and Tricia Britt from Monticello. The biggest Suffolk ram named “Whip” weighed in at 498 pounds, raised by Craig Fetter from Lucas

With a visit to the sheep barn, you can see work to remodel the terra cotta sheep there for next year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.