Why choose, raise, feed, groom, show and sell a livestock animal? For the Pershing County 4-H youth the answer is the future- our future.
Whether that be to educate our youth on agricultural careers, science, and husbandry or for financial and record keeping gain youth acquire these hands-on experiences when they chose a livestock project. Raising a livestock animal for show and sell instills a sense of commitment and compassion that they will not learn in most extra-curricular activities.
Veteran 4-H’er, current livestock president, and shooting sports vice president, - Cade Liebsack stated that, “I participate in 4-H livestock because it’s brought me closer with both agricultural education and friends. It has also taught me many lessons I will use in life.”
Over the last five to seven months the youth in 4-H and Nile Valley FFA have been preparing for the local Pershing County 4-H Junior Livestock Show and Sale (PCJLS) to be held on May 7th at the Pershing County 4-H Building located at 55 McDougal Industrial Park Complex at 8 a.m.
Fifty-five youth ages four to nineteen have had the opportunity to learn by attended meetings, field days, clinics, jackpots, and judgings that helped educate and prepare them for this event as well as preparation to compete at the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale which will be held May 11-14 in Reno.
Youth in our county are very fortunate as the Pershing County livestock leaders are some of the most knowledgeable in the country due to being multi-generational producers and showmen who either supplement or make their living raising beef, sheep, swine and goats.
Similarly, this community goes all out in supporting the PCJLS.
The 4-H Leaders and the Cooperative extension are working diligently to prepare the youth for this show with meetings, field days, and livestock events that are held such as: livestock judging hosted by Churchill County 4-H, a rabbit clinic (showmanship, husbandry, and record keeping), a round robin showmanship clinic, and a demonstration contest. The round robin clinic teaches youth how to raise and show all species beef, sheep, swine and goats from a current and seasoned showman who has placed at the top in national competitions. The livestock judging gave youth the opportunity to judge both breeding and feeder classes for beef, sheep, swine and goats. All 4-H club members are required to give an oral presentation or demonstration related to their project. Members that present to the full 4-H Livestock Club prior to the April meeting are then eligible to present again before the judges to compete for a $50 cash award per age division. The competition will also open to the other 4-H clubs in June.
Both youth from 4-H and Nile Valley FFA humbly invite all to attend the show and sale and witness all their hard work. They appreciate any support from award sponsors, purchasing of animals, provisions of ad-on money, to the donation or procurement of baked goods during the auction. Your contribution to a livestock project not only assists the youth’s current efforts, but also supports their experience as they enter the adult world gaining the basic understanding of food production. Purchase of an animal may be viewed as a healthful addition to your nutrition (high quality food to your table), a financial donation to a young entrepreneur, or as an investment in the future of American Agriculture and food production. However, you choose to view a youth raised livestock purchase, it will make a dynamic difference in the growth of individuals and our society.
4-H’s goal for raising a livestock project is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills through experiential learning programs with a positive youth development approach. One of the 4-H leaders, KayCee Paredes stated, “my favorite things about 4-H and the stock show environment is that the experience takes whole family involvement often including friends and community.”
Project meetings for 4-H Livestock start in November of each 4-H year. For further information please contact 4-H Coordinator Colby Burke at the Nevada Pershing County Extension Office located at 810 6th street in person, or by phone (775)273-2923.