June 21, 2023
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
· Livestock clinic open to all youth interested in showing livestock
· Clinic set for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 15 at Drew County Fairgrounds in Monticello
· Register by June 30 at https://bit.ly/livestock-clinic
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(Newsrooms: Photo of livestock competition at https://flic.kr/p/2jYf9jm )
MONTICELLO, Ark. — Aside from the practicality of raising animals for income or food, there’s also the thrill of stepping into the show ring with a prized animal and winning accolades.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a free Livestock 101 Clinic on July 15 for youth interested in learning to show cattle, sheep, market and dairy goats, sheep, swine, rabbits and poultry. The clinic will take place 8 a.m-5 p.m. at the Drew County Fairgrounds, AR-35 East in Monticello. Registration is due by June 30 and available at https://bit.ly/livestock-clinic.
Youth will learn the basics of prepping their animal for show competition and get hands-on help with showing their respective species and tack identification. The event also includes lunch for participants and a mock show competition. Overnight stalling for livestock and hotel information is also available for participants who will be commuting to southeast Arkansas for the event.
“This is mainly a beginners’ clinic,” Drew County Extension intern Rayvin Callaway said. “There will be some advanced material, but most everything will be geared toward kids new to the show ring.”
Callaway, 21, who is double majoring in animal science and plant and soil science at the University of Arkansas at Monticello grew up showing livestock. She organized the livestock clinic last summer when she interned with the Bradley County Extension Office. This summer, she is interning with Drew County Extension, and she knew she wanted to offer the clinic again.
“Showing livestock teaches responsibility, confidence, team building, the importance of researching their specific animal and so much more,” Callaway said.
New this year is a livestock clinic for parents, who will learn about feed and feedstuffs as well as vaccinations and health for each species.
Some of the speakers include:
· Dr. Rocky Lindsey — associate professor of animal sciences, College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Arkansas at Monticello
· Les Walz — Agriculture and Natural Resources educator for livestock and forages, Division of Agriculture
· Dr. Maribel Nelson, DVM — associate professor of animal sciences, College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Arkansas at Monticello
· Dr. Dan Quadros — extension small ruminants specialist, Division of Agriculture
· Dr. Maggie Justice — assistant professor and extension beef cattle specialist, Division of Agriculture
· Anthony Rodriguez — 4-H volunteer
· Frankie Harper — show poultry producer, judge and mentor for the southeast Arkansas families involved in showing.
Attendees do not have to be members of Arkansas 4-H, but information about 4-H opportunities and registration will be offered.
Many Arkansas 4-H members are currently involved in animal science-related projects, including horse and equine programs, livestock, veterinary sciences, poultry science, rabbits, sheep and goats, swine, and meat judging and identification. Many choose to compete in the show arena.
“They get their showmanship skills from their 4-H experience,” said Debbie Nistler, assistant vice president for 4-H & Youth Development with the Division of Agriculture. “Showmanship evaluates the skills of the youth in the ring — how they present the animal, how they fit it. It is the part of the livestock exhibition process that is all about youth skills. They don't need an expensive animal. They just need to develop the skills.”
For more information about the clinic, call Rayvin Callaway at 870-308-1820.
To learn more about 4-H and other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
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. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
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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