4-H Livestock and Dairy Production Group

We were hosts this morning to a group of 4-Her's in 4-H Youth Livestock Judging and their leader, Amy Thomas, North Carolina Cooperative Area Extension Agent, Livestock. They are learning to judge cattle, goats, sheep and swine. Today, at our farm, they were learning to judge four Boer 5 month old doelings and three Boer 5 month old bucklings for marketing. Their evaluation of meat goats was based on knowledge and fact. They had to make a decision and defend that decision. They learned to speak clearly, decisively and convincingly through the use of oral reasons. They also learned good conformation, breed characteristics and important marketing requirements. Livestock terms were used that could be used in a logical way to defend the placing of the animals was learned. And, lastly, they gained confidence in their ability to judge the livestock. After the training session, the youth took a short break with some refreshments and headed back to the Ag Building.