By George Starks
GREENVILLE- With her son Luke away at college, Janelle Drinksneader had her younger son, Lance, take Luke’s grand champion steer into the auction ring to sell.
The 1,300 pound steer brought $4,000 dollars with all the money going toward college expenses.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into all 4H animals. Some will require more time while others require less,” said Janelle Drinksneader, the mother of Luke and Lance. “The boys spend about two hours a day but the steers get rinsed twice a day and working their hair not to mention feeding time, The boys do all the work. We are there if they need us but they know what needs to be done. These steers are their projects and responsibilities. When they were little we were out in the barn with them but not anymore.”
According to Drinksneader, it goes way beyond the sale of the animal.
“It’s great to watch them build friendships along the way regardless of if it’s at the county fair or somewhere else,” she said. “The boys have been showing at the national level. So it goes beyond this fair.”
If you’re looking to make a profit, selling these animals is not the answer.
“There is no profit here,” Drinksneader pointed out. “With the time involved plus the cost of feed and vet bills, there is no profit. The money Luke got from this steer, will all go to college expenses. Lance shows pigs as well so these boys stay busy.”
CNO Photo by George Starks – Lance Drinksneader prepares to take his brothers grand champion steer to the auction ring.