Livestock show dates set

As the cold air moves in, youth from Acadia Parish are working hard in preparing their animals for the upcoming 2014 Acadia Parish Junior Livestock Show and Sale to be held at the Rice Arena in Crowley Jan. 16-18, 2014. 

This means it’s time for an exciting week that combines the thrills of championships with the enthusiasm and anticipation of Acadia Parish youth.

This year’s livestock show will feature 100 4-H and FFA exhibitors and more than 250 animals from throughout the parish. This event allows 4-H and FFA members to exhibit their animal projects and show off all the hard work they have put forth.

A livestock show is an event where livestock are exhibited and judged on certain phenotypical breed traits as specified by their respective breed standard. 

Species of livestock that may be shown are dairy cattle, beef breeding cattle, market steers, commercial heifers, breeding goats, commercial goats, market lambs, commercial lambs, breeding lambs, breeding hogs, market hogs, and rabbits.

Livestock shows are great events for today's youth to learn responsibility and be able to socialize with other young people from all over the parish, state or the country.

The livestock show will begin Thursday, Jan. 16, with the weighing in of the sheep and goats and followed by the goat and sheep shows.

On Friday, the cattle and swine shows will take place, followed by the parish-wide livestock judging contest open to all 4-H and FFA members.

The event will then conclude with the rabbit show in the barn along with the livestock auction on Saturday morning in the auditorium of the extension office.

Youth and adults can come out to the arena, where they can learn more about the 4-H and FFA programs, what it takes to exhibit an animal, and what products come from the different animals and a chance to get up close and personal to the livestock.

This event is open to the public. So come witness what all the anticipation and enthusiasm is about and support the youth of Acadia Parish whether it be as a spectator or to be a sponsor.

If you would like further information, please contact the Acadia Parish Extension office at 788-8821.