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Summer in Eastern Oregon is a busy time both on and off the farm. In addition to their regular responsibilities, members of our dairy team have spent the last few weeks preparing our Threemile Dairy Club 4-Hers for the Morrow County Fair. Our 4-H Dairy Heifer Program was started eight years ago to provide an opportunity for Morrow County kids to gain practical, hands-on experience with livestock. The students drew their heifer’s number from a hat and took them home in February. They have been training them for fair and attending club functions all spring and summer. Some of the recent club functions included showmanship clinics and a group heifer clipping while simultaneously building teamwork and friendship among the members. The fair is when the 4-Hers get the chance to showcase all the time and effort devoted to their heifer. Lending a helping hand at the county fair also gives our dairy team the opportunity to interact with our community in the county they call home. 

For each fair that we participate in, we get to showcase different aspects of our work. At the Umatilla County Fair’s dairy exhibit, we collaborated with Tillamook’s sensory team to help Umatilla 4-H and FFA youth understand the importance of creating a quality product from start to finish. Over 65 kids participated in Threemile trivia to help them learn about our herd and how our dairy team ensures quality milk is delivered to Tillamook. After trivia, the dairy judging competition started. There were 3 sections; evaluation of dairy cattle, milk identification, and identifying six flavors of cheese using their sensory skills. The event was a fun way to interact with young folks interested in agriculture and teach them how high-quality cheese starts here on the farm.

“Now in its fourth year, this competition continues to draw interest and has grown each year. I enjoy helping the kids connect the dots that a premium product starts with a high-quality herd, upmost care of livestock, and daily attentiveness to our work,” says Threemile Maternity Manager Brittany Szasz. “Taking care of these things day in and day out allows us to provide milk to Tillamook that meet or exceed our standards on milk quality, and therefore, create a great consumer experience when enjoying Tillamook cheese.” 

FAIR WEEK! Once the animals were settled into their stalls at the fair, the competitions and herdsmanship began. Livestock judging was first on the schedule. This contest helps students gain confidence in picking out quality animals. Next up, heifer conformation class, where the judge evaluated each heifer on their dairy production characteristics. Following the feeding protocol designed by our nutritionist, heifers can grow and perform at their genetic potential, making it close competition between each student and their heifers. 

Last but not least, showmanship is the most coveted prize at the fair. It is the student’s chance to show all their effort, intensity, and skill to the judge. Each student made sure their heifers was bathed, clipped, and show-ready before it was time to go into the ring. The showmanship competition is always enjoyed by our team, as we have seen each student grow and learn how to properly present and create a partnership with their heifer. The Threemile dairy team takes herdsmanship seriously both at home and at the fair. We spread this work ethic to our 4-Hers at the fair, ensuring the animals are always clean, fed, watered, and bedded in deep straw. The students also keep the public walkways around the heifers spotless and help with other cleaning responsibilities throughout the cattle barn at the fair.  

To cap off a busy few days, students walk their heifers through Heppner as part of the Morrow County Fair Parade – a fun group tradition. Jersey dairy heifers love parades and are a fan favorite! Along the parade route, the kids hand out Tillamook cheese, another fan fave. The parade is also a great way to end to the eight months of practice, preparation, and caring for their dairy heifers. When this year's fair came to a close, students said goodbye to their heifers before sending them back to Threemile where they will eventually join our milking herd.

For the participants in our program and the entire Threemile team, the Morrow County Fair is a highlight of summer. We love watching both our kids and heifers get a chance to shine.