Richland 4-Hers win awards at state livestock show

Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 75th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Presented by Price LeBlanc Feb. 13-20 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, more than 3,000 young people competed with more than 6,000 animals, according to the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show office.

This year’s show was dedicated to Dr. Terry Dumas – a familiar face to many current and former participants in Louisiana 4-H and FFA livestock projects.

Dumas served more than 37 years in the LSU AgCenter before retiring in November 2009. Most of his career was spent working in some capacity with youth livestock projects.

Judges at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show determined 2010 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, LSU AgCenter administrators say it is about much more than that.

“This show is much more about recognizing champion young people than it is about naming champion animals,” said Dr. Bill Richardson, LSU AgCenter chancellor. “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.”

Dr. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor, 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,” Coreil said.

A new feature to the Livestock Show in 2010 is the designation of Supreme Champions for breeding animals in each livestock category.

Several Richland Parish 4-H’ers won in the dairy competition. They are:

Dairy

• Reserve Jr. Champion and Reserve Jr. Champion Louisiana-bred Jersey Calf – Lindsay Hebert, Richland 4-H

• Jr. Champion and Jr. Champion Louisiana-bred Guernsey Calf – Caitlin Swain, Richland 4-H

• Reserve Jr. Champion and Reserve Jr. Champion Louisiana-bred Guernsey – Zach Swain, Richland 4-H

• Overall Reserve Jr. Champion and Overall Reserve Jr. Champion Louisiana-bred Guernsey – Caitlin Swain, Richland 4-H