Walker County 4-Her’s show livestock in Perry
Local 4-H members recently represented Walker County at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in Perry. This event is considered the “state” show for 4-H and FFA members involved in the market hog, beef heifer and market steer projects.
Jayden Peace, Gilbert Elementary 4-H member, competed in the market hog show with her 250 lb. Hampshire barrow. Nicholas Yearout, also a Gilbert Elementary 4-H member, showed a Red Angus heifer in the beef heifer show. Julia Yearout, LaFayette High School 4-H member, also exhibited a Red Angus heifer in the heifer show. Dalton Green, 4-H member at Gordon Lee High School, showed a Hereford heifer in the heifer show and a Hereford steer in the steer show.
Besides competing in the cattle show, Dalton and Julia competed for the scholarships that were awarded to graduating high school seniors involved in the youth livestock program. Both were successful as each of them received one of the five “Georgia Beef Cattle Exhibitor Youth Leadership Scholarships” that were awarded statewide. Dalton was also able to claim a second scholarship, the “Georgia Junior Livestock Foundation Scholarship”.
Each year over 1300 exhibitors and their parents attend the annual Youth Livestock Program Banquet, which is held in conjunction with the show. This year Dalton Green represented Walker County and Georgia 4-H as the keynote speaker for the event.
The Walker County 4-H Cattle Show Team stayed busy throughout the four-day event keeping their “stall area”, where they tied their cattle while not in the show ring, neat and well maintained and got rewarded for their efforts. They won 2nd place in the Herdsman Contest, which annually recognizes County 4-H groups and FFA Chapters that work hard to keep their animals well presented in and out of the show ring.
The state show brings this year’s cattle and swine show season to an end. Contact the Walker County 4-H Office at 706-638-2548 for details about getting involved in one of these youth livestock projects in the future.