Burr Oak 4-H Club

09/04/2026

UPDATED CARCASS LIST-
2026 4-H Carcass Beef Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Jasper Johnson
2. Regan Noga
3. Luke Frost
4. Madison Kulpinski
5. Larson Cardella
6. Inez Ultz
7. Freddie Stears
8. Katelyn Trattles
9. Cooper Stears
10. Linda Ultz
11. Jackson Noga
12. Taylor Trattles
13. Anita Ultz
14. Braden Bower
15. Leland Wolfe

2026 4-H Carcass Goat Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Paityn Hutchison NO
2. Ben Iobe
3. Zak Iobe
4. Cooper Stears
5. Jade Sechler
6. Kason Schrock
7. Valerie Klein
8. Emma Sult
9. Jazmyne HuntNO
10. Jakson Iobe
11. Ellyn Iobe
12. Emma Campbell

2026 4-H Carcass Lamb Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Jenna Scheffler
2. Tucker Davis
3. Madison KulpinskiNO
4. Cooper Stears
5. Harper Davis
6. Rebekah Klein
7. Valerie Klein
8. Lila Preston
9. Oakley Cupp
10. Kennedy Mosher
Alternates in eligibility order
11. Branch Henderson
12. Braden BowerNO
13. Ava Batten

2026 4-H Carcass Hog Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Freddie Stears
2. Carter Oswald
3. Rebekah Klein
4. Katelyn Trattles
5. Jade Sechler
6. Cooper Stears
7. Taylor Trattles
8. Kurtis Sechler
9. Luke Byler
10. Lila PrestonNO
11. Luke Klein
Alternates in order of eligibility:
12. Matthew Byler
13. Branch Henderson
14. Suzanne Klein
15. Leland Wolfe

I WILL TRY TO KEEP THIS UPDATED OR CHECK https://www.canr.msu.edu/st_joseph/4-h/4_h_fair

09/03/2026

dairy goat meeting with Katie tonight is cancelled due to heat. If anyone wants help with clipping or have questions text Katie at 269-503-2405. She is happy to help.

09/03/2026

SWINE CARCASS INFO
2026 4-H Carcass Hog Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Freddie Stears
2. Carter Oswald
3. Rebekah Klein
4. Katelyn Trattles
5. Jade Sechler
6. Cooper Stears
7. Taylor Trattles
8. Kurtis Sechler
9. Luke Byler
10. Lila Preston
Alternates of eligibility order
11. Luke Klein
12. Matthew Byler
13. Branch Henderson
14. Suzanne Klein
15. Leland Wolfe
Attention Participants: It is your responsibility to call the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office right
away if you decide to drop out of the program for any reason.
The following is important information you need to know regarding participation in the 2026 4-H
Carcass Hog Contest:
1. The purpose of the program is to provide members with an opportunity to learn about the
relationship between live animal evaluation and carcass composition and quality.
2. Entry in the contest will be limited to ten (10) entries. If more than 10 participants submit their
entry forms, selection of the 10 participants will be based on a combined factor of exhibitor’s age
plus number of years in the swine project.
3. Eligible animals include any of the 4-H project hogs registered in a given member's name. Note:
Any and all potential carcass animals were required to be ear-tagged and registered in the St.
Joseph County MSU Extension office by June 4, 2026.
(continued on page 2)
2026 4-H Carcass Hog Contest Information – pg. 2
4. The 4-H Carcass Hog Contest will take place according to the following schedule:
• Live Hog Weigh-in/Drop off: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds in
Centreville. All animals entered in the Carcass Beef Contest MUST be delivered to the fairgrounds by 11:00 a.m. for
weigh-in.
• Carcass Steer Evaluation Workshop: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Bontrager’s Custom Meat
Processing, 53541 Correll Rd., Leonidas, MI 49066. Please remember to bring a winter-weight coat and gloves
along to wear in the meat cooler where the workshop will be held, as the cooler is maintained at 34°F!
5. Attention! All 4-H members participating in the Carcass Hog Contest are required to attend the Carcass Hog Evaluation
Workshop in order to receive a premium and any associated awards. College students will be exempt from the Carcass Hog
Evaluation if approved by the 4-H Program Coordinator by August 15. Any member who fails to meet this requirement will have
his/her animal disqualified from the carcass contest. Any member who fails to meet this requirement will have his/her animal
disqualified from the contest.
6. Market hogs entered in the carcass class MUST weigh a minimum of 230 lbs. and no more than 320 lbs. at weigh-in at the
fairgrounds in Centreville on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in order to be eligible to compete in the Carcass Contest. Market
hogs weighing less than 230 lbs. or more than 320 lbs. are not representative of desirable market hogs being sought by today's
livestock markets, and will not be eligible to compete in the Carcass Contest.
7. Delivery of Hogs: All hogs to be entered in the contest MUST be clean and delivered to the fairgrounds.
8. Each member making an entry in this contest is responsible for arranging for a "private treaty" sale of his/her hog before it is
delivered to the fairgrounds on Saturday, September 6, for weigh-in. Exception: The Champion and Reserve Champion hog
carcasses MUST be sold in the 4-H Large Animal Sale on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Therefore, when you make arrangements
for a "private treaty" sale of your carcass animal, it must be with the buyer's understanding that the animal will be sold in the
Large Animal Sale if it wins Champion or Reserve Champion honors.
9. It is also the member's responsibility to inform the buyer of the carcass that he/she is responsible for the slaughter and processing
costs (which will be directly payable by the buyer to Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing).
The "Processing (Cut) Sheet" which can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/st_joseph/4-h/4_h_fair must be filled out
completely and signed by the buyer. Give the buyer one (1) completed copy to keep, and turn a second copy in on Saturday,
September 6, 2026, prior to unloading your steer for weigh-in.
“Thank You's” For Contest Support:
• Each member who places an entry in the Carcass Class is required to write a thank you" letter to Bontrager’s Custom Meat
Processing (see address below) to thank this business for the vital role it plays in making the 4-H Carcass Beef Contest possible.
∗ "Thank you" note must include complete donor address, your return address and must be affixed with a $0.78 postage
stamp.
∗ Attractive 4-H "thank you" note stationery (including a stamped envelope) will be available for sale at $2.00 each at the
4-H Fair office starting on Sunday, September 14.
• Deadline for Submitting "Thank You" Note: Completed "thank you" note MUST be turned in to the 4-H Fair Office by 10:00 p.m.
on Saturday, September 26.
• Penalty For Not Submitting "Thank You" Note: Your fair premium check will be held at the St. Joseph County MSU Extension
office until your "thank you" note has been submitted in a properly prepared, stamped envelope.
The mailing address for Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing is as follows: Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing
c/o Willie Bontrager
53541 Corell Rd.
Leonidas, MI 49066

09/03/2026

SHEEP CARCASS INFO
026 4-H Carcass Lamb Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Jenna Scheffler
2. Tucker Davis
3. Madison Kulpinski
4. Cooper Stears
5. Harper Davis
6. Rebekah Klein
7. Valerie Klein
8. Lila Preston
9. Oakley Cupp
10. Kennedy Mosher
Alternates in eligibility order
11. Branch Henderson
12. Braden Bower
13. Ava Batten
Attention Participants: It is your responsibility to call the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office right
away if you are no longer able to participate in the program for any reason.
Following is information on the 2026 4-H Carcass Lamb Program:
1. The purpose of the program is to provide members with an opportunity to learn about the
relationship between live animal evaluation and carcass composition and quality.
2. Entry in the contest will be limited to ten (10) members on a first-come, first-served basis. If
more than 10 members submit entry forms, selection of the 10 participants will be based on a
combined "factor" of member age plus years in the sheep project.
3. Only one (1) lamb may be entered per participant.
4. A given member may, if desired, exhibit a carcass lamb and up to two (2) individual market
lambs from among the lambs registered in his/her name.
5. Eligible animals include any of the 4-H project lamb registered in a given member's name.
Note: Any and all potential carcass animals were required to be ear-tagged and registered in
the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office by June 4, 2026.
6. The 4-H Carcass Lamb Contest will take place according to the following schedule:
• Live Beef Weigh-in/Drop off: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the
fairgrounds in Centreville. All animals entered in the Carcass Beef Contest MUST be
delivered to the fairgrounds by 11:00 a.m. for weigh-in.
• Carcass Lamb Evaluation Workshop: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at
Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing, 53541 Correll Rd., Leonidas, MI 49066. Please
remember to bring a winter-weight coat and gloves along to wear in the meat cooler
where the workshop will be held, as the cooler is maintained at 34°F!
(continued on page 2)
2026 Sheep Carcass Contest Letter – page 2
7. Attention!!! 4-H members participating in this contest MUST attend the Carcass Lamb Evaluation Workshop on Tuesday,
September 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to receive a premium and any associated awards. Any member who fails to meet this
requirement will have his/her animal disqualified from the contest.
8. All lambs entered in the Carcass Lamb Contest MUST be shorn within two (2) weeks of weigh-in (Saturday, September 6).
Animals that have not been shorn within this time period will be disqualified from the contest. It will be the responsibility of the
4-H member to have his/her lamb sheared.
9. Each member making an entry in this contest is responsible for arranging for a "private treaty" sale of his/her lamb before it is
delivered to the fairgrounds on Saturday, September 12, for weigh-in. Exception: The Champion and Reserve Champion lamb
carcasses MUST be sold in the 4-H Large Animal Sale on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Therefore, when you make
arrangements for a "private treaty" sale of your carcass animal, it must be with the buyer's understanding that the animal will
be sold in the Large Animal Sale if it wins Champion or Reserve Champion honors.
10. It is also the member's responsibility to inform the buyer of the carcass that he/she is responsible for the slaughter and
processing costs (which will be directly payable by the buyer to Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing).
The "Processing (Cut) Sheet" which can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/st_joseph/4-h/4_h_fair must be filled out
completely and signed by the buyer. Give the buyer one (1) completed copy to keep, and turn a second copy in on Saturday,
September 12, 2026, prior to unloading your steer for weigh-in.
“Thank You's” For Contest Support:
• Each member who places an entry in the Carcass Class is required to write a thank you" letter to Bontrager’s Custom Meat
Processing (see address below) to thank this business for the vital role it plays in making the 4-H Carcass Beef Contest possible.
∗ "Thank you" note must include complete donor address, your return address and must be affixed with a $0.78 postage
stamp.
∗ Attractive 4-H "thank you" note stationery (including a stamped envelope) will be available for sale at $2.00 each at the
4-H Fair office starting on Sunday, September 19.
• Deadline for Submitting "Thank You" Note: Completed "thank you" note MUST be turned in to the 4-H Fair Office by 10:00 p.m.
on Saturday, September 26.
• Penalty For Not Submitting "Thank You" Note: Your fair premium check will be held at the St. Joseph County MSU Extension
office until your "thank you" note has been submitted in a properly prepared, stamped envelope.
The mailing address for Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing is as follows: Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing
c/o Willie Bontrager
53541 Corell Rd.
Leonidas, MI 49066

09/03/2026

GOAT CARCASS INFO
2026 4-H Carcass Goat Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Paityn Hutchison
2. Ben Iobe
3. Zak Iobe
4. Cooper Stears
5. Jade Sechler
6. Kason Schrock
7. Valerie Klein
8. Emma Sult
9. Jazmyne Hunt
10. Jakson Iobe
11. Ellyn Iobe
Alternates in order of eligibility:
12. Emma Campbell
Attention Participants: It is your responsibility to call the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office right
away if you decide to drop out of the program for any reason.

The following is important information you need to know regarding participation in the 2026 4-H Carcass
Goat Contest:
1. The purpose of the program is to provide members with an opportunity to learn about the
relationship between live animal evaluation and carcass composition and quality.
2. Entry in the contest will be limited to ten (10) members on a first-come, first-served basis. If
more than 10 members submit entry forms, selection of the 10 participants will be based on a
combined factor of member age plus years in the goat project.
3. Only one (1) goat may be entered per participant.
4. A given member may, if desired, exhibit a carcass goat and one (1) individual market goat from
among the goats registered in his/her name. Note: Any and all potential carcass animals were
required to be tagged and registered in the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office by June 10,
2026.

The 4 H Carcass Goat Contest will take place according to the following schedule:
• Live Goat Weigh-in/Drop off: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds in Centreville. All
animals entered in the Carcass Goat Contest MUST be delivered to the fairgrounds by 11:00 a.m. for weigh-in. Goats must
weigh a minimum of 60 lbs. and may only have a maximum horn/regrowth of 2 inches. Underweight goats will be
disqualified.
• Carcass Goat Evaluation Workshop: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing,
53541 Correll Rd., Leonidas, MI 49066. Please remember to bring a winter-weight coat and gloves along to wear in the meat
cooler where the workshop will be held, as the cooler is maintained at 34°F!
6. 4-H members participating in this contest are REQUIRED to attend the Carcass Goat Evaluation Workshop on
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to receive a premium and any associated awards. College students
will be exempt from the Carcass Goat Evaluation if approved by the 4-H Program Coordinator by August 15. Any
member who fails to meet this requirement will have his/her animal disqualified from the carcass contest.
7. Each member making an entry in this contest is responsible for arranging for a "private treaty" sale of his/her
goat before it is delivered to the fairgrounds on Saturday, September 6, for weigh-in. Exception: The Champion
and Reserve Champion goat carcasses MUST be sold in the 4-H Small Animal Sale on Thursday, September 24,
2026. Therefore, when you make arrangements for a "private treaty" sale of your carcass animal, it must be with
the buyer's understanding that the animal will be sold in the Small Animal Sale if it wins Champion or Reserve
Champion honors.
8. It is also the member's responsibility to inform the buyer of the carcass that he/she is responsible for the
slaughter and processing costs (which will be directly payable by the buyer to Bontrager’s Custom Meat
Processing).
The "Processing (Cut) Sheet" which can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/st_joseph/4-h/4_h_fair must be
filled out completely and signed by the buyer. Give the buyer one (1) completed copy to keep, and turn a second copy in
on Saturday, September 12, 2026, prior to unloading your goat for weigh-in.
Thank You's for Contest Support:
Each member who exhibits an animal in the 4-H Carcass Goat Contest is required to write a "thank you" letter to Bontrager Custom
Meat Processing to thank this business for the vital role it plays in making the 4-H Carcass Goat Contest possible.
 "Thank you" note must include complete donor address, your return address and must be affixed with a $0.78 postage
stamp.
 Attractive 4-H "thank you" note stationery (including a stamped envelope) will be available for sale at $2.00 each at the 4-H
Fair office starting on Sunday, September 20.
Deadline for Submitting "Thank You" Note: Completed "thank you" note must be turned into the 4-H Fair Office by 10:00 p.m. on
Saturday, September 26.
Penalty for Not Submitting "Thank You" Notes: Your fair premium check will be held at the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office
until your "thank you" note has been submitted in a properly prepared, stamped envelope.
The mailing address for Bontrager Custom Meat Processing is as follows: Bontrager Custom Meat Processing
c/o Willie Bontrager
53541 Correll Rd.
Leonidas, MI 49066

09/03/2026

BEEF CARCASS INFO
RE: 2026 4-H Carcass Beef Contest
Contest entrants include:
2026 Carcass Participants
1. Jasper Johnson
2. Regan Noga
3. Luke Frost
4. Madison Kulpinski
5. Larson Cardella
6. Inez Ultz
7. Freddie Stears
8. Katelyn Trattles
9. Cooper Stears
10. Linda Ultz
11. Jackson Noga
12. Taylor Trattles
13. Anita Ultz
14. Braden Bower
15. Leland Wolfe

Attention Participants: It is your responsibility to call the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office right
away if you decide to drop out of the program for any reason.
The 4-H Carcass Beef Contest will take place according to the following schedule:
• Live Beef Weigh-in/Drop off: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the
fairgrounds in Centreville. All animals entered in the Carcass Beef Contest MUST be
delivered to the fairgrounds by 11:00 a.m. for weigh-in.
• Carcass Steer Evaluation Workshop: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at
Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing, 53541 Correll Rd., Leonidas, MI 49066. Please
remember to bring a winter-weight coat and gloves along to wear in the meat cooler
where the workshop will be held, as the cooler is maintained at 34°F!

Attention! All 4-H members participating in the Carcass Beef Contest are required to attend the Carcass Beef Evaluation
Workshop to receive a premium and any associated awards. College students will be exempt from attending the Carcass Beef
Evaluation only if approved by the 4-H Program Coordinator by August 15. Any member who fails to meet this requirement will
have his/her animal disqualified from the contest

Minimum Weight Rule: Carcass beef animals (steer or heifer) must weigh a minimum of 1,000 lbs. for market beef
and 1,100 lbs. for dairy market beef at weigh-in at the fairgrounds on Saturday, September 12, 2026, to be eligible
to compete.
7. Cleanliness of Beef: All beef must be CLEAN (meaning free of caked-on manure/dirt) to be entered in the contest.
If your animal's coat condition meets these criteria, then it does not need a bath unless you want to give it one.
However, if your animal’s coat condition is such that it has caked-on manure/dirt, then it definitely needs to be
washed to be entered in the contest. If in doubt, bathe!!!
8. Securing of Beef: Animals entered in the contest MUST be broken to lead.
9. The animals will be slaughtered and the carcasses prepared (for judging) at Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing.
10. Each member making an entry in this contest is responsible for arranging for a "private treaty" sale of his/her steer before it is
delivered to the fairgrounds on Saturday, September 6, for weigh-in. Exception: The Champion and Reserve Champion beef
carcasses MUST be sold in the 4-H Large Animal Sale on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Therefore, when you make
arrangements for a "private treaty" sale of your carcass animal, it must be with the buyer's understanding that the animal will be
sold in the Large Animal Sale if it wins Champion or Reserve Champion honors.
11. It is also the member's responsibility to inform the buyer of the carcass that he/she is responsible for the slaughter and processing cost.

The "Processing (Cut) Sheet" which can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/st_joseph/4-h/4_h_fair must be filled out
completely and signed by the buyer. Give the buyer one (1) completed copy to keep, and turn a second copy in on Saturday,
September 12, 2026, prior to unloading your steer for weigh-in.
“Thank You's” For Contest Support:
• Each member who places an entry in the Carcass Class is required to write a thank you" letter to Bontrager’s Custom Meat
Processing (see address below) to thank this business for the vital role it plays in making the 4-H Carcass Beef Contest possible.
∗ "Thank you" note must include complete donor address, your return address, and must be affixed with a $0.78 postage
stamp.
∗ Attractive 4-H "thank you" note stationery (including a stamped envelope) will be available for sale at $2.00 each at the
4-H Fair office starting on Sunday, September 20.
• Deadline for Submitting "Thank You" Note: Completed "thank you" note MUST be turned in to the 4-H Fair Office by 10:00 p.m.
on Saturday, September 26.
• Penalty For Not Submitting "Thank You" Note: Your fair premium check will be held at the St. Joseph County MSU Extension
office until your "thank you" note has been submitted in a properly prepared, stamped envelope.
The mailing address for Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing is as follows: Bontrager’s Custom Meat Processing
c/o Willie Bontrager
53541 Corell Rd.
Leonidas, MI 49066

09/02/2026

REMINDER livestock shirts are in if you ordered some let us know when you want them!

Send a message to learn more

09/02/2026

Rabbit meetings with Denise will be Friday the 4th and Wednesday the 9th at 7pm at the park in Burr Oak

Send a message to learn more

09/02/2026

Our club is responsible for setting up the rabbit barn this year and unloading shavings. Please help Sept. 8th Tuesday at 6:30pm. More hands make faster work! If you are taking rabbits we need your help.
Thanks
Debbie
Burr Oak 4-H Club