Creating hands on learning opportunities is key for youth interested in agriculture. By allowing a safe environment to learn the correct way to manage a beef cattle herd, better management strategies can be utilized in the future. Often, what we teach our youth is the first line of getting that information into the hands of their parents who are producers at home. While cattle working contest exists in the western part of our state, nothing similar occurs on the Eastern side. As a group, barriers were identified that could potentially prevent youth on this side of the state from participating in that contest.

To better prepare our regionally local youth, several Eastern Kentucky Extension Agents, Beef Specialist and Robinson Center Staff joined forces to create the first ever Eastern Kentucky Youth Cattle Working Clinic and Contest held at the UK Robinson Center. As a planning group, we wanted to focus on the education portion, ensuring students learned in a safe environment the correct way to perform standard industry practices. The day was divided into two pieces, education and then a contest to determine was learned. During the morning session, students attended a BQCA training taught by UK Beef Specialist Kevin Laurent. Additionally, each student attended a session with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler where students learned about nutrition, body condition scores, as well as feed and equipment ID. Lastly, students went to a session with ANR Agents, Chad Conway, David Coffey, Reed Graham, Kristen Stumbo and Jessica Morris Denniston where each participated in simulations to demonstrate the correct way to band, give vaccinations as well as ear tag cattle. 

After lunch each student completed their BQCA test where each student received their BQCA Certification (given by Jacob Singleton). During the contest, each content area that was taught that morning was tested. Students took a live calf through the cattle chute, checked temperatures, safely gave a vaccination and then was judged on its placement back into the holding pen (Kevin Laurent & David Coffey). Additionally, each team was tested on Body Condition Scores, feed and equipment IDs (Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler), ear tagging (Chad Conway), castration (Reed Graham & Kristen Stumbo) and completed a quiz where a medication label was read correctly (given by Kim Lane). 

Many hands kept our schedule running smoothly including Hunter Carrol who ensured that groups were rotating at the hands-on station and Jacob Singleton who was our timekeeper. Courtney Jenkins ensured that as soon as tests were completed, they made their way to the tabulation room for scoring. The tabulation room was managed by Ryan Spicer with assistants Morgan Goble and Brianna Day who ensured each team’s scores were entered and graded accordingly. None of this would have been possible without the preparation of facilities and all-around assistance from the UK Robinson Center (Daniel Wilson, Rob Hounshell, Jarrod Abner, Micah Gayheart, Clifton Hudson, Hannah Kash, Josh Mullins, Barbara Stamper, and Erwin Williams). To conclude our day, John Chism, KDA Market News Director, was on hand to make a presentation of awards and bring greetings from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. As a special edition and way to celebrate Ag week Rhonda Linkous (Robinson Center) was on hand to interview students and photograph the day. Additionally, AED, Ty Back was present for the awards presentations and for assistance as needed!

This day was a success before the contest ever began. As a result of the first ever Eastern Kentucky Cattle working Clinic and Contest, we had 82 youth attending from 7 counties. 82 Youth completed their BQCA training and certification. Scores determined a successful day at all testing stations. A fail rate of 0% was shown at all stations that were tested. More importantly, we received numerous comments from advisors and agents stating this was a great day for their teams and youth as well as a very hands-on educational day that they hope is offered for years to come.