Arkansas youth attend camp to learn more about livestock, communication skills
By Abbi Ross
U of A System Division of Agriculture
@AgNews479
July 30, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Livestock Judging Camp held June 26-28
- 24 Arkansas students attended the camp
- Camp teaches students livestock selection skills, industry trends
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The annual Livestock Judging Camp brought lessons about priorities in livestock selection, current industry trends and communication skills to two dozen Arkansas students from across the state this June, with hopes of cultivating a new generation of experts.
The camp, held in Fayetteville and hosted by the department of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, is intended to not only increase participants’ knowledge of livestock, but help them to articulate what they see, said Bryan Kutz, Division of Agriculture instructor and youth extension specialist.
“We hope this camp can help improve their livestock skills for future competitions with FFA or 4-H,” Kutz said.
Participants, ranging in age from 9-17, were divided into groups based on their knowledge level and experience. The students learned about sheep, cattle, hogs and goats, as well as key terminology that accompanies each species and how to best explain the basis for their judging assessments.
While the three-day camp, held June 26-28, was intensely focused on the curricula of livestock judging, the event allowed participants to blow off steam as well, with diversions including an evening at the Altitude Trampoline Park in Fayetteville.
As the camp drew to a close, students were tested on what they had learned during a judging contest consisting of six classes with three sets of oral presentations. The camp concluded with an awards ceremony that divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories.
In the beginner group, Chloie Thomas of Farmington won first place, Jewels Stewart of Judsonia placed second and Rylie Bignar of Prairie Grove came in third.
In the intermediate group, Madalyn Johnson of Judsonia won first place, Abi Kelly of Fayetteville placed second and Sutton Nelson of Hermitage came in third.
In the advanced group Braden Harrod of Hermitage won first place, Selby Best of Hermitage placed second and Erica Corker of Warren came in third.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Fred Miller
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(479) 575-5647
fmiller@uada.edu