Describe the Issue or Situation.

The Kentucky 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest is an intense competition where youth evaluate 10-12 classes of both breeding and market cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. Additionally, the contest entails a questions portion where contestants are quizzed over their recall of specific animal ID's and descriptions within a class. Finally, contestants are challenged with the task of verbally describing, and explaining their thought process behind placing, certain classes through oral reasons. Through the use of performance classes, which include expected progeny differences, or EPD's, youth are challenged to make decisions that exclude their personal bias and require them to sort animals based on the needs of a specific program. In short, this contest builds upon the industry basics learned in Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon, and serves as a capstone event that allows students to apply their knowledge to both evaluating and discussing livestock. As far as professional development, youth acquire critical thinking, public speaking, and decision-making skills, alongside a sense of responsibility and team reliance, that will deem them an invaluable resource in their future place of work. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

Hosted at Locust Trace High School on Saturday May 31st, the contest consisted of 11 classes of livestock, with Cloverbuds (5-8 yr.) only evaluating 10 of those classes. Juniors (9-13 yr.) judged 11 classes, answered three sets of questions and gave two sets of reasons. Seniors (14-18 yr.) evaluated 11 classes, answered three sets of questions, and gave four sets of reasons. The contest is a competitive event for all age divisions, with the Top 20 Seniors being eligible to try out for the Kentucky State 4-H Livestock Judging Team at what has been historically known as Top 12 Week. During Top 12 Week, 12-15 Seniors are pushed to refine their reasons and evaluation skills. After Top 12 Week, eight students will be asked to travel until mid-October when the team will be narrowed down to the four or five participants that will comprise the Kentucky State 4-H Livestock Judging Team which will represent Kentucky at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the North American Interational Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in November in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky contestants in the senior division can travel to Top 12 Week four times, and travel three times, allowing for greater content retention and a more valuable progressive experience. 

 The contest was ran by State 4-H Office Staff and Animal Science Faculty from the University of Kentucky. The contest was hosted by Locust Trace High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Class providers and contest officials were recruited from both in and out of state, allowing for a diversified set of animals and officials. HB Farms, 32 West Stock Farm, Walking W Cattle, Grand Ole Place Farms, Evans Cattle Company, Hancock Hampshires, Double F Club Lambs, Real McCoy and Malcom Genetics, and Premier Show Goats all served as livestock providers. There were a total of 19 officials from three different states. The banquet facilities was made possible by Bluegrass Stockyards-Lexington, with catering provided by Me and You Events. The banquet meal and awards were made possible by Farm Credit Mid-America, Benchmark Graphic, The Showtimes Magazine Inc., The Boot Store of Nicholasville, and Murray State University. Additionally, the banquet hosted representatives from three past "Legacy Teams", which would be contestants that represented Kentucky 4-H at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in years past. 

Finally, an endowment was established and unveiled by past Kentucky 4-H Gold Team Member Shane Carlin, which will be implemented to offset the travel costs of the Kentucky State 4-H Team. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

There was a total of 186 registered attendees comprised of four Cloverbuds, 74 Juniors, 66 Seniors, and 42 agents and volunteers. Additionally, there were around 120 miscellaneous helpers, livestock providers, officials, and contestant family members that were in attendance throughout the day. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

In the short team, a survey conducted post-contest showed that the majority of contestants felt confident in their ability to evaluate breeding and market livestock and were comfortable using performance data as a sorting tool when necessary. Furthermore, contestants felt that their time spent preparing for the Kentucky 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest had allowed them to develop better study habits. Finally, an overwhelming majority voiced that they were interested in pursuing collegiate livestock evaluation as a way to continue this progressive experience and pay for their education.