Newly Organized Watauga 4-H Livestock Club Learning The Ropes

by Sherrie Norris

Livestock has always played a key role in the lives of Watauga County farmers, and while some may think it’s been put out to pasture in these parts, a new generation is taking the reins with the formation of the Watauga 4-H Livestock Club. According to Watauga 4-H Agent Karee Mackey, and Watauga Livestock Agent, Callie Birdsell, little time has been wasted in the club’s organization since its kick-off last December.

The seven members of the judging team at the recent competition in Virginia: Daniel Brown, Ethan Critcher, Andrew Critcher, Erika Walker, Titus Mough, Graham Roten and Marshal Roten. Photo submitted

The judging team members learning how to do perform a hands-on evaluation of market lambs. Photo submitted

In The High Country, we all know that farming and 4-H has always gone hand-in-hand, with 4-H promoting citizenship, healthy living and education for youth ages 5-19. 4-H Clubs are formed if five or more youth are interested in a common topic or field of study and it comes as no surprise that this latest club is now up and running,

Because Watauga County is home to variety of livestock - cattle, sheep, goats and horses - it is only natural that the club’s charter members and officers are youngsters whose families have long been involved in the farming and livestock business. Most of them are bringing to the club personal experiences that make learning more enjoyable for all.

Birdsell tells us that there are currently 10 members of the 4-H Livestock Club, and “the numbers continue to grow with each month.” During the club’s February meeting, the following members were elected to their offices: Daniel Brown, President; Titus Mough, Vice President; Ethan Critcher, Secretary; Andrew Critcher, Treasurer. At that time, the meetings took on a more formal atmosphere, where the 4-H Pledge and Pledge of Allegiance were both said, and Robert’s Rules of Order were put into place.

Every monthly meeting will include educational opportunities to increase member awareness regarding livestock and its industry. Currently, club members are learning the basics of livestock evaluation. “It’s important for youth to learn about the livestock industry,” states Birdsell. “It not only helps them learn where food comes from, but it provides them with the skills necessary to select superior animals if they wish to purchase livestock of their own.” She adds, “As many of the club members are currently involved in the industry, they set their first club goal to attend livestock judging competitions.’ She states that judging competitions allow youth to highlight their skills in live animal selection. “Youth are divided into teams of three or four contestants, and they must then evaluate classes of livestock - pens of four animals, either cattle, sheep or swine - and placing the animals within the appropriate class from first to fourth with first being the best and fourth the worst.” Birdsell describes, “Animals are placed based on phenotypic (physical) characteristics with desirable characteristics in market animals being a high degree of muscling, low amount of fat cover, balance and volume. Desirable characteristics in breeding animals are structural correctness, balance, volume and degree of muscling.”

She adds, “Since January, Livestock Club members have studied these evaluation characteristics and practiced judging classes of beef cattle, sheep and swine via pictures.”

Despite having little time to prepare, the club chose to attend the Virginia Tech Block and Bridle 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Competition on March 17 in Blacksburg, VA. “Seven club members, ranging in age from six to 19, traveled to Virginia for the competition. Due to fundraising efforts of club members, lodging, meals and club t-shirts were provided to all members at no cost to the individual.”

Birdsell states that during the competition, the seven club members were divided into two teams, both of which competed at the junior level. “Club members had to evaluate three classes of beef animals, three classes of swine and two classes of sheep. In total, 99 teams competed, including one team from the Watauga High School FFA program”

Birdsell describes this initial competition of evaluating live animals as “a learning experience,” and one that makes her “very proud of what the kids did, in going out there and giving it their best effort.” She added that this particular opportunity gave the club “a chance to see where its members are at in terms of their judging, and what it is we need to work on.”

Scores for the competition are based on how accurately individual team members place the classes. “Youth do not get to work together as a team to come up with answers, but the top three scores from a four-person team are taken to make the team score. If a team is three persons, all three scores are used for the team score. During the Virginia competition, competitors could opt not to give a set of oral reasons.”

Birdsell states that in the coming spring months, the Livestock Club will focus on how to give a set of oral reasons during a judging competition- which is the youth’s justification as to why they chose to place a class of animals the way they did. “Oral reasons complete the judging circle. It provides youth experience in defending decisions and developing public speaking skills.”

The 4-H Livestock Club is always looking for new members. There is no cost to join, and members are not required to own livestock, but a sincere interest in learning about livestock and the livestock industry is expected.

The club’s President, Daniel Brown, said, “At our monthly meetings, we have been learning about showing and judging

cattle, sheep and hogs. We plan to go to the District 4-H day, the Junior Beef Roundup and other shows and competitions. It’s a lot work, but we’re learning a lot and having fun.”

For more information on the Watauga 4-H Livestock Club, please contact Karee Mackey or Callie Birdsell at the Watauga Cooperative Extension Office, (828) 264-3061.