OTTUMWA — Ask any 4-H’er and they’ll tell you the organization provides lessons in responsibility, especially when it comes for caring for livestock.

During Wapello County 4-H Expo livestock weigh-in on Wednesday, 4-H member Erica Swanson, 13, Ottumwa, said taking care of an animals means long hours and a lot of work.

“You have to get up pretty early most of the time to feed and water them,” she said. “It’s hard work, but I like it.”

She said her animals are just like pets and they must be cared for.

“You have to make sure they always have what they need,” Swanson said.

4-H and FFA member Cory Campbell, 14, Batavia, echoed Swanson and agreed that taking care of their expo livestock is similar to a pet ... but add about 1,200 pounds.

“A really big pet,” she said.

Campbell said she’s learned a lot about livestock from her uncles.

“They grew up on farms, too, and were in 4-H and FFA,” she said.

For Ottumwan Justin Cobler, 11, 4-H is a family tradition.

“My dad and uncles were in 4-H,” he said.

Cobler is responsible for three steers that he will show at this year’s expo.

“I have to feed them around 450 pounds of food per day,” he said. “My dad and my uncle help me and tell me what I need to do.”

Campbell said what you feed an animal depends on where they come from.

“You usually want to stick with what they were raised on,” she said. “You can switch their food, but it’s usually more difficult.”