BO Terrace Review —- Wednesday, September 11, 1991 . — | : | | J. This year’s Grand Champlon steer at the Skeena Valley Fall Fair, “Billy” owned by David Kozier, was purchased at the 4-H auction by Copperside Foods, represented here by general manager Chris Cormier and meat manager Scott Willms. Copperside also bought the grand champion- market lamb, “Happy”, owned by Lindsay Bailey. There is a growing group of young local entre- preneurs who are developing their business skills through 4-H. Each year, children throughout the Terrace area take on a project that combines the elements of risk, efficiency and marketing, com- plemented with animal appreciation and hus- bandry. Rabbits, sheep, cattle and horses provide educa- ‘tional and business skill development that is the foundation for developing skills that will be useful throughout their lives. Record keeping, speech making, and judging are major business elements that complement the skills learned in husbandry. Although the public only sees the finished product, these long-term projects represent many | hours of work in grooming, handling, and feeding Market Lamb: Foods for $3.25/1b. Johnstone for $2.75/lb. $2.20/lb. Rupert, for $2.00/Ib. $3.25/Ib. Market Steer: Foods for $5.00/Ib. | $2.90/1b. Livestock projects provide 4-H’ers with business insight and experience of the animal. It is a commitment far beyond the care that most people associate with animal ownership, having pets. For example, in a market lamb project the children must learn how to lead the lamb using hand signals only, as lead ropes are not allowed. The lambs are sheared twice to improve their fleece and appearance. They must be fed to reach an optimum market weight. Adult experts judge the handling, grooming and physical condition of each animal before they are auctioned to the public. All purchasers are issued a tax donation receipt for the total purchase price of the animal. Butcher fees are paid by the 4-H member, while cutting and wrapping fees are the expense of the purchaser. 4-H AUCTION RESULTS AND LIVESTOCK JUDGING SKEENA VALLEY FALL FAIR SEPTEMBER 1, 1991 Grand Champion; "Happy", owned by Lindsay Bailey, weight 95 lbs., sold to Copperside Reserve Champion: "Willie", owned by Brandy Rafuse, weight 102 Ib., sold to Graeme 3rd place: "Keester", owned by Carol Kozier, weight 114 lbs., sold to Tilden Rent-A-Car for 4th place: "Larry", owned by Ben McNeil, weight 95 Ibs., sold to Mr. Hougan of Prince 5th place: "Louie", owned by Danny Ansems, weight 90 lbs., sold to Donna Graf for $3.00/Ib. 6th place: "Button". owned by Jennifer Ansems, weight 94 Ibs., sold to Charlie Houlden for -, Grand Champion: "Billy", owned by David Kozier, weight 1,184 Ibs., sold to Copperside Reserve Champion: "Eddy", owned by Jane Zagar, weight 1,156 Ibs., sold to Overwaitea for | 3rd place: "Lucifer", owned by Trevor Muller, weight 1,088 Ibs., sold to Mr. Hougan of Prince | Rupert for $1.25/1b. $1.35/1b. 4th place: "Zeus", owned by Quinton Rafuse, weight 1,041 !bs., sold to Cedar River for Sth place: "Barty’, owned by Kirstin Muller, weight 946 Ibs., sold to Dan Muller for $1.00/1b. foe t Llamas brought to the Skeena Valley Fall Fair by the Home Creek Ranch near Bums Lake, attracted considerable attention this year. The pack animals, originally from South America, are known for their mild temperament and ability to pack loads over adverse terrain. | Liamas an unusual new adaition to | fall fair attractions by Diana English The Schemmerling family of ‘Terrace played host to some unusual guests this summer, They were keeping llamas, visiting Ter- face courtesy of Mrs, Schemmer- ling’s brother-in-law, Walter Pos- selt. Posselt and his wife Ingrid oper- ate the Home Creek Ranch and Cheslatia- Llama Trail at Takysie Lake, 50 miles south of Bums Lake. Posselt says he is a retired cattle rancher, and hopes to turn the llamas and the bed and breakfast farm into a retirement project, with the ultimate goal of making it a successful working and leaming . farm. Posselt says he bought his first llama three years ago and currently owns 22 of the animals. He says a well-trained adult male llama can cost up to $4,500. To date only one baby Ilama has been bom at the Posselt farm. Posselt says he does not keep the llamas for breeding purposes, but as part of a tourist attraction. He says that although they are just in the process of building their tourist business, they already have bookings for next year and are still aking more. They have room for some guests in their home as well as spots for R.V.8 and tents. Posselt says llamas, a member of the camel family originally from South America, can live to be 40 years old. He says llamas make perfect pets as they are very casy to keep and to train. They handle the weather extremes of the Lakes District with no problems. Posselt Says the llamas are very healthy, allowing him to avoid veterinary bills. They are well-behaved ani- mals and get along well with most of their fellow creatures with the exceptions of coyotes and strange dogs. Posselt says his llamas are trained to leave their "droppings" in one spot and will go to that spot at the appropriate time. The llamas can also be used as pack animals and can carry up to 120 pounds. Posselt says he rents them out as pack animals for hunters and fishermen. The Posselts started opening their farm and their home to tourists in July of this year. They also keep emus, Vietnamese bellied pigs and many varieties of sheep, goats and cattle. Posselt says he is hoping to Start raising buffalo very soon, The Posselts were in Terrace for the Skeena Valley Fall Fair and had a number of their llamas, including the baby, on display. People were allowed to enter the penned area to touch and play with the animals, and some of the lighter children were riding them. Posselt travels with the llamas in a converted City of Calgary bus. He says they travel well, riding in one area sectioned off for them.