Moo. Baaa. Oink.
Although some people may feel the urge to make those sounds when confronted with cows, lambs or pigs, the youth who competed in the Pittsylvania-Caswell Junior Livestock Show were serious and focused on their animals and the competition.
The two-day show, held April 29-30 at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex was considered a local exhibition and was not a qualifier for larger competitions, said Mandi Dolan, extension agent and 4H Youth Development with the Pittsylvania County Cooperative Extension Office.
The event featured goats, lambs, pigs and cattle.
To compete, the youth must be in 4H or FFA and the ages range from 6-19, she said.
The youth competed in age classes — Pee Wee or Youth for ages 6-8; Junior for ages 9-12; Intermediate for ages 13-15; and Seniors for those ages 16-19.
Dolan said the youth typically work with their animals for a few months before attempting to show them in the ring.
For the animals in the showmanship category, it is also good to get the animal used to being bathed frequently, she said.
Charlie Farmer, 9, of Gretna, placed at the grand champion in the showmanship division with his year-old pig, Rachel.
To prepare, the pig was put on a consistent feeding program and was walked every day. Farmer said he put in a good deal of practice with his pig. Rachel was also going to compete in the market pig division, but Farmer said he would keep her when it was over.
Those in the market division have the option of selling their animals to a predetermined packer, but others keep them for breeding or other shows, said Dolan.
Naomi Delozier, 14, of Penhook has been showing livestock since she was eight-years-old. For this show, she competed in the steer and heifer exhibitions. To get the animals ready for competition, Delozier trains them to tolerate a halter and being tied up for a few hours each day. The animals are directed on where to place their hooves using a show stick, which also doubles as a way to calm the animal in the ring.
For Delozier, the best part is winning a ribbon.
The judge for this show was Terry Burks of Bowling Green, Ky. He has judged more than 100 junior and open livestock shows in 43 states.
For the youngest competitors, Burks injected some levity to keep things light, but also gave the youth some tips on showing their animals.
“If you’ve never shown a sheep before, they’re a handful,” said Burks to the youth with their lambs in the showmanship division.
He also asked the kids lots of questions.
“I love it when they talk to you,” he said, adding that some are more forthcoming than others.
Those in the Pee Wee division get a red or blue ribbon and will return for additional classes, said Dolan. Those in the older groups will go through several classes to earn grand or reserve champion status for each animal division.
Also, as the competitors got older and the animals larger, Burks focused more on teaching about technique and gave each competitor a thorough critique.
In the junior hog showmanship division, Burks noted that some competitors crossed over a few too many times and others let the hog stray too far away, as the hogs were controlled by show sticks.
One pig was especially vocal about the dates, testing the skills of its handler.
For the first place winner in the pig showmanship division, Burks found the competitor to “really smooth.”
During the intermediate cattle showmanship division, Burks had two girls switch a cow and steer to get more experience. He also advised them to get four full-length mirrors and put those up in the barn.
“You need to know what your cow looks like when showing,” he said.
“It’s not your view, it’s the judges view you’re trying to get right,” he said.
Dolan said most of the competitors live on a farm and have easy access to their animals. Those who do not usually have good friends who do and can provide the space. 4H provides some basic instruction on how to prepare for shows, but ultimately it is up to the child to work with the animal, she said.
“I love these shows because it gives the kids an opportunity to learn,” she said.
Goat showmanship
Grand Champion Senior Goat Showmanship: Charity Delozier
Reserve Champion Senior Goat Showmanship: Sutter Clark
Grand Champion Intermediate Goat Showmanship: Kaylee Bergeron
Reserve Champion Intermediate Goat Showmanship: Naomi Delozier
Grand Champion Junior Goat Showmanship: Lydia Delozier
Reserve Champion Junior Goat Showmanship: Chloe Delozier
Market goat
Grand Champion Market Goat: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Market Goat: Coleman Wells
Breeding due
Grand Champion Breeding Doe: Coleman Wells
Reserve Champion Breeding Doe: Lydia Delozier
Lamb showmanship
Grand Champion Senior Lamb Showmanship: Rebecca Shields
Reserve Champion Senior Lamb Showmanship: Moriah Delozier
Grand Champion Intermediate Lamb Showmanship: Kaylee Bergeron
Reserve Champion Intermediate Lamb Showmanship: Naomi Delozier
Grand Champion Junior Lamb Showmanship: McKinley Bergeron
Reserve Champion Junior Lamb Showmanship: Lydia Delozier
Market lamb
Grand Champion Market Lamb: Kaylee Bergeron
Reserve Champion Market Lamb: McKinley Bergeron
Breeding ewe
Grand Champion Breeding Ewe: Moriah Delozier
Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe: London VanDerHyde
Hog showmanship
Grand Champion Senior Hog Showmanship: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Senior Hog Showmanship: Kalynn VanDerHyde
Grand Champion Intermediate Hog Showmanship: Gabrielle Bergeron
Reserve Champion Intermediate Hog Showmanship: Grace Stowe
Grand Champion Junior Hog Showmanship: Charles Farmer
Reserve Champion Junior Hog Showmanship: Mason VanDerHyde
Market hog
Grand Champion Market Hog: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Market Hog: Gabrielle Bergeron
Breeding gilts
Grand Champion Breeding Gilt: Suter Clark
Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt: Charles Farmer
Hog sweepstakes
Grand Champion Hog Sweepstakes: Suter Clark
Reserve Champion Hog Sweepstakes: Gabrielle Bergeron
Beef Showmanship
Grand Champion Senior Beef Showmanship: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Senior Beef Showmanship: Charity Delozier
Grand Champion Intermediate Beef Showmanship: Aubrey Herbers
Reserve Champion Intermediate Beef Showmanship: Kaylee Bergeron
Grand Champion Junior Beef Showmanship: Lizzie Kendig
Reserve Champion Junior Beef Showmanship: McKinley Bergeron
Market steers
Grand Champion Market Steer: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Market Steer: Coleman Wells
Heifers
Grand Champion Heifer: Sutter Clark
Reserve Champion Heifer: Aubrey Herbers
Bred & owned
Grand Champion Bred & Owned Steer: McKinley Bergeron
Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Steer: Lizzie Kendig
Grand Champion Bred & Owned Heifer: Suter Clark
Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Heifer: Rye Kendig
Youth/Peewee goat
First Place: Helen Katherine Farmer
Second Place: Ginny Gray Wydner
Third Place: Abi Lane Wydner
Fourth Place: Josiah Hubbard
Fifth Place: Adam Delozier
Youth/Peewee lamb class 18
First Place: Emily Waller
Second Place: Chase Hawkins
Third Place: Forrest Barker
Fourth Place: Warren Gregory
Youth/Peewee lamb class 19
First Place: Stone Hawkins
Second Place: Lacie Haymes
Third Place: Will Gregory
Fourth Place: Kerr Terry
.