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Youngster learns business side of fair

By Kate Martin

Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Jordan Yarber is practicing a stiff upper lip for this year’s Junior Livestock Sale.

Last year, he sold a steer for the first time.

Tears spilled over his round cheeks, his eyes red with sorrow, as he led his steer, Bubba, around the ring. His head down, he handed a picture of Bubba to the person who bought his steer, meekly thanked him, then ran for another glimpse of his beloved bovine.

After spending months of mornings and nights with his steer, Jordan sold him for $1,500.

Last year, he vowed to never raise another steer.

But Jordan changed his mind. With dollar signs in his eyes, Jordan smiled and talked about how he wanted to save for an all terrain vehicle.

Jordan raised another steer, Pal, for this year’s fair. Because Pal was a calf from his own cow, raising him will cost less than if he had to buy one from his grandmother’s herd.

Robin Yarber, Jordan’s mother, said they will probably have spent $400 to $500 on feed for the 1,271-pound steer, which could translate to $800 or more in profit for Jordan.

Jordan talked about all of the work he’s put in to raising the steer.

Pal roamed wild in the mountains this winter. Jordan talked about chasing the calf on his horse and taming him.

“I tied him up in a pen and talked to him and led him around in small corrals,” Jordan said.

After he was tame, Jordan got the steer used to daily handling.

“I walk him morning and night, I feed it and water it, I gave baths and cut his hair,” Jordan said.

He had to be with Pal every day, or he wouldn’t be tame enough to parade around the auction ring.

Jordan said he might choke up a bit when he leads Pal around the ring, but raising the steer serves a higher purpose.

“I’m going to focus on when I get that money and getting the four-wheeler,” Jordan, 9, said.

But while Jordan wants the money, he still enjoys Pal’s company.

“I’ll miss him when he’s gone.”

Originally published Aug. 8, 2006.