The basic philosophy behind the North Carolina 4-H Livestock Program is and has been to provide educational opportunities focused on the youth. With this in mind, an effort was set forth to provide a fun, educational opportunity for young people and livestock projects through the cooperative efforts of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and numerous volunteer leaders.

An emphasis was set forth to improve the showmanship skills and industry knowledge base of the livestock youth in 1989. Workshops and clinics were a big success and the youth improved and progressed, but something was missing. The missing component was opportunities for youth to display, improve and test their skills. Most young people only had the opportunity to exhibit their animal one or two times prior to the termination of the project.

In 1990, the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs Conference was dedicated to the youth and youth programming. Two days of training workshops were conducted on a number of topics to better prepare the Association on the concepts and requirements for a successful junior livestock show.Agent training materials and suggested rules were distributed and the first shows under this format were conducted in 1991.

The objectives and anticipated results for putting such a program together were set prior to any programming efforts were initiated. Yet, the objectives and the anticipated results are the foundation of every aspect of the program including selling the program through evaluation and rewards.

Increase educational opportunities of shows

Repetition is the best method of learning

Increase opportunity for financial reward

Increase exposure to different experiences

Increase the number of animals observed and various growth curves

Increase opportunity for human interaction

Building positive attitudes

To open other avenues of reward

Development of responsible young people

Increase interest in animal agriculture and the species involved

Increased communication between 4-Hers, breeders and industry

Increased visibility of production agriculture and the respective industries

Improved breeding programs and higher quality stock

Improved financial return for the stock

Suggested rules were established and followed by the shows. The original rules are listed below. Like any show we must have rules. At the time many thought that these were too strict. However, the expectation for fair play was established at the onset.

1. Exhibitors must be a bonafide 4-H or FFA member

2. Exception to Rule # 1.

The entire show shall be open to younger exhibitors as long as the exhibitor is capable of

controlling their animal. The judge has the discretion on this matter and his or her decision is final.

3. All animals must be under the exhibitor’s care and the exhibitor’s physical property. Exhibitors should be prepared to offer proof of animal care and/or ownership.

4. All breeding animals must be the physical property of the exhibitor certifiable by the respective breed association. Exhibitors of commercial breeding animals may certify ownership via a bill of sale.

5. All entry fees must be filed with the general management no later than the designated time and date. Each exhibitor shall have a parent or guardian sign the entry form, in person, acknowledging that he or she understands and will abide by the liability requirements and rules of the show.

 

6. There shall be no refund of entry fees.

7. All decisions by the judge will be final.

8. A copy of the rules may be obtained upon written request.

9. All top monies in the show are prorated according to the number of entries. Show management reserves the right to adjust monies according to the number of entries. Show management reserves the right to rearrange classes other than those advertised prior to show time.

10. All animals exhibited must meet North Carolina health requirements. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining health papers and should have then available for inspection.

11. All prospect and market animals must have all their milk teeth at the time of exhibition.

12. All animals are released after the completion of the entire show.

13. The Show Committee shall not be liable for any damages, death, injury or loss of property incurred by or to any exhibitor or their animal. Each exhibitor shall be responsible for any damages, death, injury or loss of property caused by the exhibitor or their animal.

14. All exhibitors are responsible for the care and protection of their property and livestock.

15. Exhibitors found cheating, misrepresenting or participating in fraud and deception shall be disqualified and barred from future competition.

16. Should any animal or exhibitor be disqualified after having won awards and/or premiums, the exhibitor shall be required to return all such awards and/or premiums. The judge and the show management reserves the option of moving up animals placing below a disqualified animal’s vacant position.

17. The Superintendent reserves the right to exclude from competition any entry which is late in entering the showring.

18. Exhibitors will be held responsible for the actions of members of their party. Exhibitors not cooperating with show officials and their agents will have their entries canceled without a refund and will be ordered to remove their animal(s) from the premises immediately.

 

After the 1991 shows, the evolution process took off. Five county agents worked with their county fairs to establish the circuit. The circuit is a program that provides young people a number of opportunities to exhibit their livestock prior to the state fair. Emphasis is on showmanship and points are accumulated in two ways.

Exhibitors obtain five points for exhibiting at each show attended and the top five showmen in each age category obtain additional points.

At the conclusion of the circuit season each qualified showman receives a T-shirt and the top showman a belt buckle.

The point or scoring system below is utilized for each age division. The age divisions are: Novice, eight years of age and below; Junior, nine to 13 years of age; and Senior, 14-18 years of age. All ages are based on 4-H age.

The scoring system is based on an accumulation of points. Points in each division will be as follows:

a. Five points for each show you compete in (possible 25 points total).

b. Top five showman in each age division will receive points as follows:

1st - 10 points

2nd - 8 points

3rd - 6 points

4th - 4 points

5th - 2 points

*Only the top three scores will count

Example: Exhibit A went to all five shows

Won: 1-first, 2-seconds and 1-third

Exhibit A points 25 (5 shows)

10 (1-1st)

16 (2-2nd)

___ drop the third

51 total

Exhibit B went to three shows:

Won - three-seconds

Exhibit B points 15 (3 shows)

24 (3-2nd)

39 total

In the event of a tie all drop scores will be added to the total.

The response to the program has been tremendous and the youth have progressed and responded to the circuit. The quality of the stock and the job that the young people do with the stock has also improved. If numbers are important, they have grown. In Wilson County, the number of youth that have participated in their activities at the shows has grown 500 percent in five years.

A. Funding: As with any growing program, funds can become limiting. Entry fees or membership fees are being considered for next year.

 

B. Qualified Judges: A Judging Certification Program was conducted to assist the shows with a certified list of official that would be consistent in evaluation and have an understanding of the educational forum. However, since each show must have a different judge from the other shows in a circuit, a small population of qualified judges is spread very thin.

 

C. Time: As the shows have grown in participants, schedules have not changed and late nights can result.

 

Focusing on youth and their skills and knowledge is the key to developing young people and a successful program. Each family and each child needs to set obtainable goals each season and work toward those goals. Communication skills, social interaction and lasting friendships have been developed by the youth, parents and everyone involved. However, programs are a work in progress. For the program to progress one must work. Continual monitoring is required and necessary modifications may be needed to keep sight of the original objectives.