4-H Youth: Livestock

Review the 2008 4-H Horse Show publication here

The 4-H Youth program is one of the oldest and largest informal educational efforts in public education in the United States. The mission objectives of 4-H are to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. These skills are much more than physical skills and are a combination of acting, thinking, and feeling. They help 4-H'ers function as adults in society and accept responsibilities, gain ability to communicate, inquire, solve problems, make decisions, and work with other people. Junior livestock projects are educational projects and the type that enhance youth to achieve the 4-H objectives. There is probably no other 4-H activity that has more potential for educational and personal development of youth than junior livestock projects and shows.

The junior livestock program is a unique opportunity to use live animals to develop the youth. The main objectives of the program deal with the young person, not the animal. Youth do learn something about agriculture and livestock production and develop an appreciation for the livestock industry, but the main objectives are to teach life skills and help youth become productive citizens of our society. The experience of youth owning and working with animals, being responsible for their care, health, and growth, and exhibiting them in a competitive environment is a tremendous character building process.

Annually more than 7,000 youth participate in the major animal science projects of beef, dairy, sheep, swine, horse, dairy goats, meat goats, and meat science. In addition to the animal project work, related activities such as judging (horse, livestock, dairy and goat), meat judging and identification, premier exhibitor program, meats bowl, horse bowl, horse photography, horse art, horse hippology, horse public speaking, dairy bowl, and dairy products judging are included as part of the 4-H Animal Science Program and contribute to the personal development of youth.

Major junior livestock shows are the five district shows (Verona, Batesville, Greenwood, Jackson, and Hattiesburg) held in late January and early February, the Dixie National Junior Round-up held in February, and the Mississippi State Fair held in October. Also, many counties hold county, area, and jackpot livestock shows throughout the year.

The Grand Finale of the Dixie National Junior Round-Up is the Sale of Junior Champions. Approximately thirty-five to thirty-eight champion animals are sold to the highest bidders at this prestigious auction. Forty-one thousand, seven hundred dollars in scholarships are also presented to deserving exhibitors, which are sponsored by the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions Promotion Committee, the Dixie National Boosters Club, and the Mississippi Junior Sheep Producers.

Each year, in early July, the district 4-H horse shows are held in different locations throughout the state. In 2008 the district 4-H horse shows will be held from June 26-28 at Batesville, Verona, Canton, and Meridian. The State 4-H Horse Championships will be held in Jackson from July 9-13. This activity includes the State 4-H Horse Show and the state non-riding horse contests. The 2008 Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships will be held in Lexington, VA, from July 29 – August 3. Mississippi can enter the top 42 horses from the state show and the top teams and individuals from the senior non-riding contests at the Southern Regional contests. In addition, the top teams and individuals in the senior non-riding contests are eligible to represent Mississippi in the National Western 4-H Roundup in Denver, CO, each year.

For additional information on 4-H please visit this site: 4-H Youth Development

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for the Dixie National Junior Round-Up?
What is the date and time of the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions?
What are the dates of the Mississippi State Fair?
What are the dates and locations for the District 4-H Horse Shows?
What are the dates, location, and schedule of the State 4-H Horse Championships?
What are the dates and locations of the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships?
Who can I contact to learn more about the Animal and Dairy Science projects?

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Publications

MSUcares 4-H Youth Publications

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Links

Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions
4-H Animal Lines Newsletter
Horse Information

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 07-May-08 10:40:36
URL: http://msucares.com/4h_Youth/4hlivestock/index.html
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