Youth Livestock Opportunities

South Carolina youth livestock programs offer more than just a chance to raise an animal! There are various breed activities, knowledge and judging competitions, meeting new people, and many scholarship opportunities!      

General

South Carolina Livestock Judging Contest
April 6, 2013 at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, SC
Livestock Judging challenges youth to develop a special vocabulary and knowledge of livestock anatomy and function, to correctly place animals, and verbally defend their decisions. This event teaches youth observation, organization, and verbal skills which are critical to their development. 

Registration Form (You must save this file to your computer before filling out.)
Contest Handbook
More Information 

South Carolina State Fair (SCSF)
The SCSF is the largest agricultural exposition in the state of South Carolina. During the twelve days of the fair, youth compete for scholarships, premiums and ribbons by exhibiting beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits, as well as participating in showmanship classes.  For more information, check out the SC State Fair Website!

Dairy Cattle

Dairy Poster Contest
The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDI) is sponsoring a dairy poster contest in celebration of June being South Carolina Dairy Month! The theme for the 2013 Dairy Poster Contest is Dairy Packs Power: Dairy Farmers are the “Real life” Superheroes.

Registration & More Information

Dairy Heifer Project

Kick-Off is April 27, 2013!!

The dairy heifer project is an extended 4-H animal science project in which the 4-H youth purchases a 6-month old registered dairy heifer (Holstein, Guernsey, Jersey). During the next 18 months participants learn how to care for, manage, train, and show their animal while exploring the world of dairy cattle. The animal is then auctioned at the South Carolina State Fair’s Bred Heifer Sale in October.

2013-2014 Application

Dairy Evaluation Contest
The Dairy Evaluation contest is a state level contest that helps students develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management.

Useful Resources 

2013 Results

Milk Quality & Products Contest
The Milk Quality & Products contest is a state level contest that prepares youth to identify and/or judge dairy products based on quality, flavor, texture, and appearance which indicate production, processing, and handling conditions that can influence the overall quality of a finished dairy product. 

Useful Resources

2013 Results 

Spring Dairy Show
Thanks to everyone for another successful Spring Dairy Show!

Beef Cattle

Market Steer Project
The SC Market Steer Program is a livestock based youth project that promotes animal husbandry and development of entrepreneurial skills.

More information coming soon! Interested youth should be evaluating potential steers for the project now.

Junior Beef Round-Up
4-H and FFA members from South Carolina and surrounding states come together to compete in this two day event. There are multiple breed shows, market classes and, for SC youth, the Cattleman's Contest, Sales Presentation Contest, and Essay Contest which are components of the scholarship awards presented throughout the Roundup.

Junior Beef Round-Up Website 

Goats

State Meat Goat Project
This market project is one in which youth receive their wether goats through a lottery system consisting of pre-selected grade animals. At the end of the project, these animals are sold as market animals at the final show.

2013 Goat Project Application

There will be a Pre Kick-Off Goat Clinic that will be a fun filled day with lots of information about how to properly care for you goat. More information can be found on this flyer. 

For more information go to the Meat Goat Website.

Swine

State 4-H Barrow Project
The barrow project is a market project in which interested youth purchase a feeder pig weighing 50 pounds and then raise and exhibit their animals. At the end of the project, the animals are sold as market animals weighing 260 pounds. 

2013 Barrow Project Application