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SJ Ag Fest starts 5-day run Tuesday
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San Joaquin AgFest is a five-day celebration of youth agriculturists from throughout the county.

This annual junior livestock show and auction kicks off this week at the San Joaquin County fairgrounds.

For those in 4-H or the Future Farmers of America chapters, AgFest is the culmination of the past school year or, in some cases, the last four years – college scholarships or an entrance to a college or university may come about from this event.

Opening day is today. By then, those involved can move their livestock projects – beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, and turkeys – to the fairgrounds.

Here’s a list of livestock events (per category):

uBreeding beef – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 8 to 10 a.m. Classes, Tuesday, 1 p.m. Showmanship, Tuesday, after breeding.

uMarket beef / Market heifer – Move in / health check, Monday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (FFA / 4-H). Classes, Wednesday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Showmanship, Thursday, June 18, 1 p.m. (FFA / 4-H).

uDairy cattle – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 7 to 11 a.m. Classes, Thursday, 9 a.m. Showmanship, Wednesday, June 15, 1 p.m. (FFA / 4-H).

uReplacement heifers – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 7 to 11 a.m. Classes, Wednesday, June 15, following Showmanship (4-H followed by FFA). Showmanship, Wednesday, June 15 (4-H / FFA).

uCommercial gilts – Move in / health check, Monday, June13, from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. (weigh-in after 4-H market). Classes, Monday, June 13, following showmanship. Showmanship, Monday, June 13, 5 p.m. for 4-H and FFA.

uMarket swine – Move in / health check, Sunday, June 12, from 6 to 10 a.m. (weigh-in for 4-H is 8 a.m. to noon, FFA to follow gilts). Classes Tuesday, June 14 (4-H, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. / FFA to follow, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Showmanship, Wednesday, June 15 (4-H, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. / FFA to follow, 3 to 6:30 p.m.).

uBreeding sheep – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 7 to 10 a.m. Classes, Tuesday, June 14, at about 3 p.m., following breeding goats. Showmanship. Tuesday, June 14, following breeding.

uMarket sheep –Move in / health check, Monday, June 13, from 7 to 10 a.m. Classes, Wednesday, June 15, 9 a.m., FFA followed 4-H. Showmanship, Thursday, June 16, 9 a.m.

uBreeding goats – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 7 to 19 a.m. Classes, Tuesday, June 14, 10 a.m. (showmanship / classes). Showmanship, Tuesday, June 14, following breeding show.

uMarket goats – Move in / health check, Monday, June 13, 7 to 10 a.m. Classes, Wednesday, June 15, 1 p.m., following market sheep (FFA / 4-H). Showmanship, Thursday, June 12, at noon, following sheep (FFA / 4-H).

uDairy goats – Move in / health check, Tuesday, June 14, from 6 to 9 a.m. Classes, Tuesday, June 15, showmanship / classes (turkey ring). Showmanship, Tuesday, June 14, 9:30 a.m. 

uTurkeys / Meat birds – Move in / health check, Wednesday, June 15, from 6 to 9 a.m. Classes, Thursday, June 16, 9 a.m. (turkey ring); Meat birds to follow turkeys. Showmanship, Thursday, June 16.

uBreeding poultry – Move in / health check, Wednesday, June 15, from 6 to 9 a.m. Classes, Wednesday, June 15 (noon in cage judging / 1:30 p.m., table top show). Showmanship, Wednesday, June 15, noon. 

uBreeding rabbits – Move in / health check, Wednesday, June 15, from 7 to 9 a.m. Classes, June 15, 10 a.m. Showmanship, following breeding show.

uMarket rabbits – Move in / health check, Thursday, June 16, from 7 to 9 a.m. Classes, Thursday, June 16, 10 a.m. Showmanship, Thursday, June 16, following market show.

uDogs – Move in / health check, Wednesday, June 15, 2 p.m. Classes, Wednesday, June 15, 2:30 p.m. Showmanship, Wednesday, June 15, 2:30 p.m.

All species of livestock will be allowed to move in to their pens by noon Saturday, June 11 or after 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 12.

The junior livestock auction is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 18.

For more information, log on to www.sanjoaquinagfest.org.