Tillamook Farmers Go To The County Fair

Cotton candy. Popcorn. Carnival rides and games. These attractions are not the only reasons Tillamook farmers attend the Tillamook County Fair.

For them, the main focus is competing in animal showmanship and dairy cow judging events, against big time contenders from across the state. It’s a storied tradition that’s been passed down through generations of farmers. Participating in the fair is a family affair. Kids begin studying dairy cows and training to show their best-looking animals, months in advance. Parents prepare to attend four days of competitions, in support. In this tightly-knit community on the picturesque Oregon coast, the entire summer suspensefully leads up to the annual gathering, which is why many farmers call it “the highlight of the season.” This year, Tillamook farmer brothers Josh and Tyler Seals, and their younger, up-and-coming cousin Coltan Seals, were a few of the teenage cow experts, who swooped in to steal the show.

Getting In The Game

On the last day of the fair, the Seals boys put their game faces on for dairy cow judging. The competition from 4-H and FFA–a national youth program that teaches life skills–is for dairy enthusiasts, in grades four through 12. Competitors must meticulously observe cows of different ages and breeds, and rank them according to their physical attributes. The feet, legs, height, body capacity, and ribs are indicators of a dairy cow’s potential.