4-H Livestock

 

AR 4-H Livestock

Allison Harman
Instructor- 4-H Youth Livestock
Phone: 501-671-2109
Email: aharman@uada.edu  
Office:
University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204

4-H Livestock

Arkansas is proud to have an active, successful, and nationally-recognized youth development and educational 4-H livestock program. The Arkansas 4-H livestock program teaches skills to youth who carry them throughout their adult lives. 4-H'ers learn to make decisions, keep records, manage money, take responsibility, manage time, communication skills and many other important life skills through participation in livestock judging programs, livestock skillathon events, quiz bowls, camps, public speaking events, and livestock projects.

State 4-H Livestock Contests

 

Livestock at O-Rama

Animal Science Talks and Veterinary Science Talks give 4-H’ers an opportunity to Junior and Senior 4-H’ers to give a presentation on the topic of their choosing. Lists of approved topics are included in the rule books below. For seniors, these are district qualifying contests for the State O’Rama.

Animal Science Talk Activity Information

Vet Science Talk Activity Information

Livestock ID is an identification contest for all things livestock with some similarities to Livestock Skill-a-thon. Students will identify breeds, feeds, equipment, meats and plants related to livestock production. For seniors, Livestock ID will be a district qualifying contest for the State O’Rama Livestock ID contest.

Livestock ID Activity Information

Livestock ID Study Material

Sample Scantron

New in 2024, we are adding a State Only Sales Talk contest. This is modeled after Cattle Sales Talk like seen at Junior Nationals. Our version of Sales Talk will require youth to pitch their own livestock project animal (cattle, swine, sheep, goats) to judges. Youth will use a photo or video of their animal to accompany their pitch.

Livestock Sales Talk Activity Information

Livestock Sales Talk Rubric

Mr. Bill Outstanding Animal Science 4-H'er Award and Scholarship Application

The Mr. Bill Outstanding Animal Science 4-H'er Award and Scholarship was created to continue the legacy of Mr. William "Bill" Dorough. Mr. Bill was a pillar of the Arkansas State Fair having worked there for over 40 years and exhibiting dairy cattle as a young 4-H'er. He was a graduate and friend of the UA Animal Science Department receiving the 2009 Graduate of Distinction Award. Mr. Bill was a 2008 Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame Inductee. It's no secret he was an avid supporter of 4-H livestock projects and programs as well as the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Mr. Bill loved working with youth and this memorial scholarship is awarded to an Arkansas 4-H'er who has exhibited at the Arkansas State Fair, exemplifies excellence in leadership, and has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a career in  animal science or a closely related industry.

Past Recipients:
2024 - Blake Sawyer, Sevier County
2023 - Samual Shipley, Clay County
2021 - Eva Berryhill, Hot Spring County
2020 - Victoria Lehmann, Conway County
2019 - Julie Griffin, Benton County
2018 - Katie Head, Greene County
2017 - Laykyn Rainbolt, Searcy County

 

Livestock Events

Call tour imageThe Careers for Arkansas Livestock Leaders (CALL) Tour will provide 20 high school students with the opportunity to tour industry leading business outside of Arkansas, explore career opportunities in the field of animal science, cultivate professional networks, and develop career-readiness skills. This 4-day experience will leave youth with a skillset that will make them more competitive in college and job applications in the future. Applications include a resume, cover letter, short essays, and interview. Those selected will be expected attend the CALL tour, attend a Zoom training, and work with fellow 4-Hers to lead educational workshops and 4-H promotion efforts.

2025 Contest Date: Friday, February 21st

Resource:
2025 Beef Quiz Bowl Information

Previous Contest Citation List

UADA and U of A Rich Mountain are partnering to offer our Livestock Judging Camp this summer. This will be held at the UARM campus in Mena, AR on June 11-13. Youth must be 14 to attend. Registration for this event is due May 31st. See the attached flyer for more information.

Judging Camp Flyer

 

Additional Livestock Resources

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth. YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being and character awareness for youth producing and/or showing pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, market rabbits, and poultry. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is appropriate for youth.

All Arkansas youth participating in YQCA must use the FFA & Independent Login.

There are 3 ways Arkansas youth can become YQCA certified: through an in-person instructor led training, online training, or through the test-out option.

YQCA Website

 

 

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4-H Events Calendar and Reference Guide

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