We've sunk so low even 4H & FFA kids are cheating

[dflprincess]

(FFA = Future Farmers of America)

Apparently this is becoming a problem at the State Fairs in several states.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/568/4054859.html
<snip>

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. - Something ugly has cropped up at state fairs across the nation: cheating. So the Minnesota State Fair's resident watchdog on livestock-show cheating is watching more closely than ever.
Besides the prestige of winning the grand-champion ribbon, an exhibitor can reap thousands of dollars by selling a champion animal after a fair. At so-called auctions of champions, top animals typically go for far more than they would on the open market.

"The first 25 years I was here, we didn't have problems. The last five years we've had three major incidences," said Pooch, one of the fair's assistant managers. "I just don't think this is going to go away."

Pooch's network of tipsters is probably his best weapon. Already this summer, it detected two exhibitors in Iowa and Minnesota who broke fair rules by shuttling the same steer back and forth to compete.

Both 4-H and the National FFA Organization require members to own and care for their animals in the months leading up to competition. Brad Rugg, a 4-H official, said his organization has begun an ethics course for young exhibitors. Fair exhibitors also sign a no-cheating pledge. "Unfortunately, this is going to be an issue whenever you pick a winner in life," he said.
<end snip>

After all, the pResident cheated to win, why shouldn't the kids cheat with their livestock?

[yellowcanine]

1. 4-H and FFA cheating....

unfortunately started long before Fratboy made cheating respectable. When I was in high school (trust me, a long time ago) an FFA kid entered "his" strawberries in the county fair that he bought at a neighbor's u-pick farm. The FFA sponsor knew about it and didn't discourage him - even though FFA projects were supposed to be your own effort. It has just gotten more sophisticated in recent years and as always, it is usually adults who show the kids how to do it - or do it for them. Sad.

[sugarcookie]

2. Unfortuantely been going on for a while

I'm a former 4H leader and parent of 2 daughters heavily involved in both organizations. I do not not blame the organizations or the kids, I blame the parents for letting it happen. Swapping out animals is only a part of the "win at all cost" attitude. You would be shocked to know the means some would go for their children to win. I have seen parents pay $10,000 for a steer for the child to show. All that money just to win a belt buckle and maybe get the money they invested back at the sale. It has been going on for years.

I do think a lot has been done discourage cheating. As committee members we were always striving for ways to level the playing field for the kids. As far back as 1989 our market lamb commitee was doing eartagging, nose printing and urine testing. The urine testing will catch illegal drugs (steroids) as well as "legal but unapproved drugs" (antibiotics, caffeine).

You could argue that money is the motive. A major show like the Houston Livestock Show does pay big bucks, A few years back an exhibitor won $250,000 for her Grand Champion steer. After that they put a cap ($50,000) on the amount the exhibitor could receive. Anything money over that amount is put in to a scholarship fund for others. At the county level it is more about "winning". The money is good but not as good as major shows.

All that being said, both organizations are about sooooo much more than raising and showing livestock. It is a small piece of a bigger picture. Public speaking, citizenship activities, and charity towards others are greatly promoted. I wouldn't think twice about encouraging kids to join both these fine organizations. Just don't limit yourself to showing animals or raising crops.