Mason Hayes
Age: 10
Parents: Jarrod and Carla Hayes
Hometown: Everton, Mo.
Grade: 5
4-H Club: Turnback Trailblazers, Dade County
4-H Leader: Carla Hayes (mom)
How are you involved in agriculture?
“I’m involved with my grandfather’s beef (a herd of mostly Charolais owned by Carl Wright). I help him with shots. He lets me give some of the shots in the neck. He also lets me use the dart gun to shoot them from the truck sometimes. We bring them up and he lets me get in the corral with him to sort, count and stuff. I look to see if they are bred or ready to breed. If they are ready to calve, I look to see if their rear end is a little swollen.
“I also help my dad a lot on the tractors (Jarrod runs Hayes Tractor service right on the farm in Dade County). I put a lot of things together for him. He has me put the oil pans back on. I work on the hydraulics; putting in pins and tightening the hoses. Last night I took out the hydraulic in the bush hog – the thing that makes it go up and down. I also change spark plugs. I know how to change brakes. Every once in awhile I have to have dad’s help ‘cause I get mixed up. I know how to put brakes together; I know how they fit and stuff.”
What else are you doing?
“I also show. I show one Shorthorn, the rest are Charolais. The main one is like a pet. Her name is sugar. You can pet her in the field.
“I went to Texarkana in 2013 to the Junior National Show for Charolais. (What’d you get?) I think I was 4th.” (Mom from the other room: “No, you were last in your class.) Nothing like your mom to bring you back down to earth but remember, Mason was only 8 years old at the time.
“This year I have two heifers I might show. I have been brushing them and getting them ready. I have a friend Elijah who might show, so I’m thinking about showing and going over there. I might teach him a couple of things.”
What are your 4-H projects this year?
“Beef, leather – my first year, camping and archery. I did robotics last year.”
