2015 State Livestock Show - Gonzales, Louisiana

Hundreds of Louisiana youth flocked to Gonzales, Louisiana last week for the 80th Annual State Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.  It is a fine facility that has been hosting the State Show for quite some time now.  When I was younger and showing sheep, the State Livestock Show was held on the LSU campus.  I assume that it was moved to Gonzales due to the traffic congestion/parking issues on campus each year.

As a boy, I'd look forward to the livestock shows as it afforded the opportunity to get out of class for a few days as an excused absence.  I remember having so much fun running around with my buddies, unloading our Show Boxes that we made in Vo-Ag class, setting up our Parish Area, getting ready for the show, and then having the nervous butterflies in your stomach as show time arrived.

As much as things change, many things stay the same and Benjamin participated in the exact same things as I did - but 34 years later!  He had the opportunity to ride with a friend a day earlier than us and stayed in their camper with them.  They went out to eat and I got the following text from him: "Dad, we went out to eat at TJ Ribs and I got a half rack of pork ribs, 1/4 of a chicken, red beans and rice. and fries.  I think I gained 5 pounds!"  Some things do change - I never ate quite that good at livestock shows!

Benjamin brought his heifer, Amy, a Jersey Dairy animal, to the show.  We decided to leave Daisy and Rosie, our two Jersey cows in milk at home this year.  The Showmanship competition began Saturday and exhibitors wear white shirts and bring their animals in the ring.  The judge is looking at the ability of the exhibitors to show their animals - not the quality of the animal.  The classes are broken up by age group of the exhibitor and it doesn't matter what dairy breed the animal is.

Bringing Amy in the ring

Benjamin was a little reticent about showing Amy as, wouldn't you it, she was in heat.  When animals are in heat, they jump on other animals, on you, and on passers-by.  It is embarrassing and they are hard to handle and it was unfortunate timing...  But that is life.  You deal with it, control them the best you can, and move forward.

Showmanship (You can see the many different breeds of dairy cattle: Jersey, Holstein, Ayrshire, & Guernsey)

In Showmanship, the exhibitor must watch the judge very closely, as the judge is motioning directions.  Eye contact is critical as you want to stop and set your animal up quickly when the judge instructs you to.

Keep your eyes on the prize

The judge makes his way around and asks questions to each exhibitor to ensure that each boy or girl has been involved in his/her project.  In the photo below, the judge is asking Benjamin:

"What is your heifer's name?"

"When is her birthday?"

"How much food do you feed her?"

"What is her sire's name?"

Benjamin getting questions from the judge

In the end, Benjamin did a fine job.  He placed Seventh in his class and received a nice yellow ribbon.  When I looked at the ribbon, I remembered that the very best I ever did at State showing sheep was Seventh Place.  I have a ribbon in my old bedroom at Mom & Dad's somewhere that is exactly the same color, shape, and size.

Seventh best Showman in the State in the 13 year old class

Here is Benjamin's haul of ribbons from the Parish, District, and State Livestock Shows for 2015. The three on the left are from State.  After placing Seventh in Showmanship, he went on to get Fifth place in the Jersey heifer class and Second Place in Louisiana Bred Jersey heifer.

It's really not about the ribbons, though.  It is about making memories and putting your efforts into a project that teaches work ethic, responsibility, patience, time-management, character-building, budgeting and compassion - all valuable traits that will serve them well throughout adulthood.  They are indeed Learning By Doing - which just so happens to be the 4-H Motto!