Fair Animal Care

Learn how exhibitors care for their animals
both before and during the fair

Starting with the very first Canfield Fair in 1846, farm animals have always been one of the top reasons many come to the Fair, whether as participants or observers. The Fair’s animal barns and Junior Fair areas have always been among the Fair’s most popular destinations.
However, some fairgoers may not understand or appreciate all of the work that leads up to farmers exhibiting or selling their animals at the Fair, or what goes into ensuring that animals are well cared for during the Fair itself.

Caring for these animals while they’re still on the farm is a great responsibility. Just ask Steve Baird, who at 19 years old has already taken on many key aspects of the operation of Baird Livestock Company. "We have to wash and groom the animals, and make sure their pens are clean every day. We have to see to it that they get all the correct vaccinations from the vet. We have to train them to make sure they’ll ‘show’ right at the Fair when we take them into the ring. It all takes patience, time and a lot of effort. My brothers and sisters and I have a lot of responsibilities to make sure everything is done right."

Taking on these responsibilities is a big part of preparing young people for their future careers, says Bob Jarvis, chairman of the Canfield Fair’s Junior Market Livestock Committee. "Kids learn what it costs, in terms of both money — feeding and housing it — and time, to raise a steer or other farm animal. They learn how to properly manage their animals and take care of them. And they learn to love them. They know all along that their animal is destined to be sold at our livestock event. But there are still a lot of tears."

The same standard of care begun on the farm is continued once animals are taken to the Canfield Fair for display or sale. "The Fair takes a lot of pride in seeing to it that our facilities are prepared," says Canfield Fair Manager Bev Fisher. "The barns, the horse and pig stalls, etc. — we make sure that the spacing is always adequate for the size of the animal being exhibited, and that there’s plenty of sawdust and straw provided so the animals can remain clean, dry and comfortable."

"There is a committee for each species of animal at the Fair," says Doug Martig of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau. "Kids displaying their animals at the Junior Fair report to a committee member every morning to make sure that their pens are clean, that the animals are clean and well cared for, and have been fed and watered.

"They also have to check on the animals throughout the day," Martig continues. "If an animal becomes ill, a committee member will summon a veterinarian. Our Fair vet is here on the grounds throughout most of the Fair, and is on call 24 hours a day. He will respond immediately in the case of a sick animal and administer treatment or medication as needed."

As Bev Fisher puts it, "Agriculture is extremely important to Ohio. We try very hard to provide a facility that showcases what people do to make a living. These people raise animals — it’s their livelihood, it’s their life. They would never jeopardize their animals’ care, because this would produce a bad product — whether it’s milk, poultry or hogs. What they produce is important to them…it’s important to Ohio…and it’s very important to us here at the Fair."