More than 70 youths attend entry-level livestock judging clinic at JWCC Ag Education Center

BAYLIS, Ill. — The first livestock judging clinic for youths was held on Saturday, March 4, at the John Wood Community College Agricultural Education Center in Baylis. University of Illinois Extension and John Wood Community College were the hosts.

More than 70 youths attended the entry level workshop. They first spent time in the classroom learning basic livestock evaluation skills. The group then was divided into sections according to age and experience level and given the opportunity to practice those skills on five pens of livestock, including beef, swine and sheep. Members of the JWCC livestock judging team assisted the youths with placing the pens of animals and giving reasons for the placings.

Event coordinator Kristin Huls, 4-H youth development educator with the University of Illinois Extension, said the event met and exceeded expectations. In a press release, Huls said, “We are very excited to see this many youths interested in learning about livestock judging. This sets the stage nicely for future opportunities for this group, such as the evolution of 4-H livestock judging SPIN (special interest) clubs, participating in livestock judging contests and getting youths more involved in the livestock industry in general.”

Youths attending ranged in age from 8-17 and represented Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, Schuyler, Cass, Morgan and Scott counties in Illinois, as well as Marion County in Missouri.

For more information about the livestock judging clinic or other 4-H programs, contact Huls at khuls@illinois.edu or 217-357-2150.