With the family farm on the decline Metcalfe County 4-H Council wants to make sure the youth understand the importance of where their food comes from  and selection of good quality animals.

Agents from Tennessee and Kentucky counties Allen, Barren, Hart, & Metcalfe work together to facilitate the 2023 CPC Fall Field Day Livestock Judging Contest.  The Celsor & Pedigo families want to expose youth to agriculture and help them develop life skills and expose the youth to college, Universities and Career opportunities. The annual livestock judging contest is held at the Fall CPC Field Day.  Over 475 youth from Kentucky and Tennessee participated and over 90 adults.  Each youth was asked to evaluate 1 class of Simmental breeding heifers, 1 class of Angus bulls, 1 class of breeding ewes, and 1 class of market lambs.  The livestock is evaluated using current industry standards and time tested criteria.   The youth were able to evaluate the classes at their own pace.  The teams are comprised of 4 members then the lowest score is dropped, thus the team composite score is the top three individual scores.  Agents conducted registration, worked as group leaders, and on the tabulation team.  Due to the location of the contest, all the cards must be scored by hand.  The contest was wrapped up in about 4 hours.   The CPC and Extension team worked closely together to get the score tabulated and awards given out in a timely manner.

Teachers, volunteer leaders, and coaches were asked to offer suggestions for improvement for 2024 and likes of 2023 contest.  2023 contest- It was much better doing pre-registration for teams and working at their own pace. In 2024- Would like to see junior and senior divisions.

A youth participating in the contest remarked, “I really like coming here to judge and see the Universities. Y’all make it a fun and laid back contest.”  Middle school student says “This was the best day ever!” I got to see a real business work and all kinds of for Ag job people.”  

Metcalfe County had 71 youth that participated in the event. MCMS had 32 youth and MCHS had 39 youth. Metcalfe County Certified Livestock Volunteers educated the youth with 3 hours of livestock judging education. The top two teams winning $250, Champion and Reserve Champion, were both from Metcalfe County. 

Four Metcalfe County 4-H Alumni also presented to the youth about their university or career.