Creating hands-on learning opportunities is key for youth interested in agriculture. It helps them learn better management strategies that they can utilize in the future by allowing a safe environment to learn the correct way to manage a beef cattle herd. Often, the first line into teaching our youth is getting that information into their parents and guardians' hands, who are the producers at their homes. While the cattle working contest exists in the Western part of our state, nothing similar occurs in our area of Eastern Kentucky.  As a group, barriers were identified that could potentially prevent youth on this side of the state from participating in that contest.

To give our youth this opportunity, several Eastern Kentucky Extension Agents, Beef Specialists, 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 the correct way to perform standard industry practices in a safe environment. The day was divided into two pieces: education and a contest to determine what was learned. During the morning session, students attended a Beef Quality & Care Assurance (BQCA) training taught by UK Beef Specialist Kevin Laurent. Additionally, each student participated in a session with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, where students learned about nutrition, body condition scores, as well as feed and equipment ID. Lastly, students attended a session with ANR Agents, where each participated in simulations to demonstrate the correct way to band, give vaccinations, and ear tag cattle. 

After lunch, each student completed their BQCA test, where each student received their BQCA Certification. The participants were tested in each content area that was taught that morning. Students took a live calf through the cattle chute, checked temperatures, safely gave a vaccination, and then were judged on its placement back into the holding pen. Additionally, each team was tested on Body Condition Scores, feed and equipment IDs, ear tagging, and calf castration. Then, the participants completed a quiz where a medication label was read correctly. 

Many hands kept our schedule running smoothly, including 4-H Agents who ensured that groups were rotating at the hands-on station. The tabulation room was managed by Ryan Spicer, with extension program assistants 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 staff and farm crew. To conclude our day, John Chism, KDA Market News Director, was on hand to present 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. Each 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 tested stations. More importantly, we received numerous comments from FFA advisors and agents stating that this was a great day for their teams and youth as it was a very hands-on educational day that they hope will be offered for years to come.