Correspondent photo / Karla Dines Rabbit judging at the Canfield Fair took place on Wednesday. Judge Terry Fender of Lynchburg examines a litter of rabbits in the Doe and Litter Class. Fender said that he determines how well the doe is holding up and that half of the evaluation is on the condition of the doe and half on the condition of the litter.

CANFIELD — Area 4-H members presented their rabbits for judging at the Canfield Fair on Wednesday, opening day of the 179th edition of the six-day event.

Judge Terry Fender, of Lynchburg, rated rabbits in three market rabbit classes: roaster, fryer and meat pen.

Fender explained that roasters are larger, older rabbits, with meat more suitable for roasting. Fryers are smaller, younger rabbits under 70 days old, with meat more ideal for faster cooking methods, such as frying.

A meat pen includes a group of three rabbits of the same breed, younger rabbits under 70 days. They are judged on uniformity and balance.

Rabbits were judged on body, bone structure and fur.

Fender said, “Genetics is the biggest factor. Feed and overall care also play a role. Climate plays a role, too. You can give all the feed in the world, but if you don’t supply enough water, the feed does not matter. You don’t want a bony rabbit. You want a nice, solid rabbit. The fur is the icing on the cake.”

Ashlyn Mason, 17, of Salem, was the Reserve Champion in the roaster class. Mason has been a 4-H member for seven years.

Mason said, “I have been showing rabbits for four years. We have meetings about once a month, and there is an annual meeting here at the Event Center”.

Fender said he was born into the rabbit world because his parents were raising rabbits before he was born. He was a 4-H member during his youth and has been a 4-H rabbit judge for 40 years.

“Doe and litter” judging also took place, which involved judging a mother rabbit and her offspring for uniformity and condition. Teeth and nails of members of the litter were also inspected.

Fender said, “There is no national standard, but half of the judging is on the doe and half on the litter. There should not be any buck teeth or bad nails in the litter”.

It has been a particularly challenging year for rabbits due to the extreme heat, according to Fender. He suggested including frozen bottles of water in pens to keep the rabbits cool in hot weather.

Winners of the rabbit judging were:

Roaster

Grand Champion: Lina Ferg

Reserve Grand Champion: Ashlyn Mason

Meat Pen

Grand Champion: Valerie Weikart

Reserve Grand Champion: Dakoda Jones

Doe and Litter

Grand Champion: Alice Whitaker

Reserve Grand Champion: Katelyn Fair

Canfield Fair Schedule

ALL DAY

Old MacDonald’s (farm animals) in Barn 15

Holborn Herb Growers Gardens at the Western Reserve Village

School District Booth Displays at Educational Hall 1

Inspire Kids to do — Join 4-H at Building 25

Junior Fair activities in the southeast Junior Fair area

Milk-A-Cow near the Milking Parlor

Gardening and Nature information in Building 25

International events on the International Stage

5 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Milking Parlor at the Cattle Arena Building 61

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Antique Equipment Display in Northeast Corner of Fair

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Spinning Demonstrations in the North End of Fair

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Operating Model Train Display at Western Reserve Village

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Kids activities with OSU Extension in Building 25

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Western Reserve Wood Carvers in Fine Arts Building 2

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Trumbull Area Artists in the Fine Arts Gazebo

THURSDAY EVENTS

“Youth and Veteran’s Day”

10 a.m. — Opening Day Ribbon Cutting at the Concourse Stage

11 a.m. — High School Band Show in the Grandstand

2 p.m. — Coronation of Mahoning County Junior Fair King and Queen

5:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Auction, Market Livestock — Event Center

7 p.m. — Junior Fair Auction, Market Livestock — Event Center