Pendleton County is a rural county comprised primarily of countryside and farmland. Subsequently, nearly 60 4-Hers show livestock animals raised or bought for their family farms.  A huge component of being successful with livestock animals on the farm and in the show ring is establishing a base knowledge of desirable livestock characteristics.  This expertise creates productivity within livestock herds based on performance, rate of gain, longevity, etc.; all crucial constituents to maximizing efficiency, profits, and successes for present and future endeavors on the farm and in the show circuit.  With these concepts in mind, the Pendleton County 4-H Livestock Judging Team was established 9 years ago with intensive training and practices both classroom style and through on-foot judging practices.

Throughout the years, new and returning males and females, ages 9-18 continue to participate on the judging team, further building and developing their livestock judging knowledge base.  The team has not only become extremely competitive in multiple competitions with numerous individual and team awards but they are experiencing more successes in the show ring with the use of their more educated “eye” in picking out their show stock.  These successes have given many livestock judging members champions at county, district, and state shows!

After 7 years of competing with the Pendleton County Livestock Judging Team, 2 individuals earned a spot in the Top 12 Overall for the senior division at the 4-H Kentucky State Livestock Judging Competition for 2018.  This allowed them to attend “Top 12 Week” which consist of an intense week of training through livestock evaluation, oral reasons, and EPD scenarios with University of Kentucky’s Livestock/Agricultural Specialists. Upon completion of “Top 12 Week” both Pendleton County individuals ranked in the top 8 which placed them on the Kentucky State 4-H Teams allowing them to travel and compete in national competitions.  They returned this past spring to coach the remaining Pendleton County Livestock Judgers through the 2019 judging season.   It was truly remarkable to watch 2 young individuals grow up through a 4-H program, reach their potential, and give back to the organization for other youths’ development.