PHOTO BY CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Wyatt Ivey's meat goat takes him for a run as he practices his showmanship skills in preparation for Saturday's show. The aisles have been tidied and the pens all set at the Lometa Show Barn, as the local FFA chapter prepares for the Lometa Junior Livestock Show's yearly onslaught of livestock exhibitors on Saturday.

"The Lometa Junior Livestock Show is a great opportunity for the kids to find out where their animals are as far as progress and what they need to do to continue preparing for the county show," said Lometa FFA adviser and ag instructor Brad Barnett.

"It is also a great opportunity for the community to come out and support the efforts these kids put forth for their projects."

With an on-site concession stand available with drinks, snacks and breakfast burritos, the show kicks off with weigh-in from 7:30-8:45 a.m.

First on the show agenda are lambs, followed by market goats, market hogs, steers and heifers.

Entries at this year's event have held steady with approximately 200 animals entered.

Leading the 2008 entry tally are market hogs, with about 70 slated to show Saturday morning. Meat goat entries aren't far behind at 60.

The show has drawn a full slate of cattle this year, with 34 steers and 20 heifers set to enter the ring. Rounding out the entries are lambs, numbering 18.

While the entry total remains about the same as in years past, Barnett believes the livestock pool will show an increase in quality, as well as a number of new faces.

"There are quite a few new kids who have been working hard with their animals and are excited about their chances at this year's stock show," he said.

Handling judging duties this year is Jeffrey Osbourne of San Saba.

"Jeffrey is a well-known livestock judge renowned for helping kids," Barnett said.