At 12 years old, Becca Deming shows a work ethic and sense of responsibility beyond her years. At this year’s Richland County Fair she won Grand Champion Market Lamb for the second year in a row along with Grand Champion Breeder Lamb, Grand Champion Junior Lamb Showman and Grand Champion Junior Over-all Showman. This year Deming was up against approximately 17 other market lambs and plans on attending the Northern International Livestock Expo (NILE) held in Billings MT in October which is a much larger competition.
Deming explains that judges look specifically at the loin, butt, and hind saddle areas on a market lamb. If these areas are too small it means the lamb if not ready for market, however if these areas are too big the lamb is over-finished. She speaks with knowledge and certainty as she explains what she’s learned over the past four years in the Richland Rascals 4H Club.
“I give all my credit to Caitlin Klaboe and Kevin Frasier, a family friend and Ag teacher in Oklahoma,” Deming says.
Klaboe Livestock out of Miles City, MT is where the Demings have gotten all of their lambs.
“The knowledge she (Caitlin Klaboe) gives to the children is worth more than the lambs are,” says Kelly Deming, Becca Deming’s mom.
Becca Deming explains that the work that goes into raising a lamb begins long before the animal is ever brought home. Having the proper space and equipment is just the beginning. A lamb stand is needed to get the lambs ready for the show which is called “fitting”. In late March or early April the family makes the trip to Miles City where a lamb is picked out and brought home. Once home the lamb is given a few days to settle in. Feedings are morning and night and must be monitored to safeguard against choking and it is a rule in the Deming household that animals are fed before people as people have access to the fridge and the pantry and the animals don’t.
Humanizing the lambs is time spent talking to them, rubbing them and just letting them get used to people. They must be walked on a halter and as they get older and stronger they are run behind a 4 wheeler at a jogging pace to build their leg muscles. Both training them to walk on a halter and humanizing them are essential to showing them in competitions.
“My favorite part is getting to show the lambs. Getting a lamb is like getting a puppy and selling them is like losing your dog,” admits Becca Deming.
However she understands that it is all part of the process and this year James, one of her two lambs, has been bought by Border Steel, who agreed to let her keep James until after NILE in October. Both animals will be entered, James as a heavy weight market lamb.
The Demings opened up their property to in-town families that wouldn’t be able to participate in 4H otherwise. They keep the animals of three to four other families and get to witness the dedication of the kids who faithfully show up to care for and work with their 4H animals.
“The kids are self-sufficient when it comes to the animals and it’s been a great opportunity. They have learned responsibility with adult supervision,” notes Kelly Deming.
Becca Deming also showed hogs, beef, her dog Roxie, and has shown horses in the past .She may get the chance to show her beef nationally and is one of only three kids in Richland County who led their own steers to weigh-ins, a testament to her commitment. In 2013 she won Grand Champion Market Lamb, Reserve Feeder Lamb and Grand Peewee Showman. The Demings would like to especially thank Restorx for purchasing her 2013 lamb shown at the NILE competition in 2013; their support for her expanding as a showman has been greatly appreciated. While she admits it takes time and things don’t always go your way, she adds that it’s been a lot of fun because she has friends around working just as hard and having just as much fun. Friendships have been a big part of her 4H experience this year and she is looking forward to another year of raising and showing animals.
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