Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 85th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held Feb. 8, to 15, at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
To qualify for the state show, competitors had to first participate in parish and district livestock shows across Louisiana. At the state show, 1,900 youths exhibited 2,060 breeding animals, 1,261 market animals, 883 exhibition birds and 149 pens of broilers, according to the AgCenter Livestock Show manager Dwayne Nunez.
Judges at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show determined state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, goats, hogs, poultry and sheep.
Although the event showcases examples of the state’s important livestock industries, AgCenter administrators say it is much more than that.
“This show is much more about recognizing champion young people than it is about naming champion animals,” said Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. “Every youngster who participated in this show is a champion because of the dedication, skills and knowledge they’ve demonstrated by caring for their animals.”
The 2020 Livestock Show is made possible by endowed funding from the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation, Gerry Lane Enterprises and Nutrien, said Patrick Tuck, executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.
Other donors include First South Farm Credit, Sunshine Quality Solutions, Mosaic, Louisiana Land Bank, Zen-Noh Grain Corporation, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, Louisiana FFA Foundation, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Boot Barn, Tuck said.
The Meraux Foundation endowment supported awards for Supreme Champion animals in all six breeding species: beef cattle, dairy, poultry, sheep, goats and swine. The winners were:
•Supreme Champion Dairy Goat Buck — Kale Cloud, Allen Parish 4-H.
•Supreme Champion Swine — Caroline Doise, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
Richardson said the Livestock Show demonstrates the result of years of hard work on the part of the 4‑H and FFA members.
“But we also see the support of parents, teachers, volunteer leaders and others who helped them along the way,” Richardson said.
Following is a list of additional local winners:
Market Goats
•Reserve Champion Market Goat — Ellie LeBlanc, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
Breeding Goats
•Champion and Champion Louisiana-bred Nigerian Dwarf Buck — Kale Cloud, Allen Parish 4-H.
•Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf Doe — Kale Cloud, Allen Parish 4-H.
Miniature Beef Cattle
•Champion Louisiana-bred Miniature Zebu Bull — Zoe Boone, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
•Champion Miniature and Champion Louisiana-bred Zebu Heifer — Zoe Boone, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
•Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Miniature Zebu Heifer — Zoe Boone, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
Breeding Beef
•Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Brahman Bull — Hailey Hayes, Allen Parish 4-H.
•Champion Simbrah Bull — Charlee Bell, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
•Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Simbrah Heifer — Kale Cloud, Allen Parish 4-H.
•Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Simmental Bull — Kale Cloud, Allen Parish 4-H.
•Champion Commercial Heifer, Brahman — Molly McNabb, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
Dairy
•Reserve Champion Jersey — Marie Thibodeaux, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
•Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Ayrshire — Averi Thibodeaux, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H.
