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.
2024 State Contest Date: August
Resources:
Livestock Skillathon Activity Information - State Only
Livestock Skills Activity Information - District Only
Quizlet Study Resource
Retail ID Intro & Beef Cuts - Dr. Janeal Yancey
Retail ID Lamb & Pork - Dr. Janeal Yancey
Junior All Multiple Choice Quiz - Includes Breed ID, Equipment ID, Retail Meat Cut
ID, Feed ID, Quality Assurance, and Quiz
Junior Quiz - Includes Breed ID, Equipment ID, Retail Meat Cut ID, Feed ID, and Quiz
Senior All Multiple Choice Quiz - Includes Breed ID, Equipment ID, Retail Meat Cut
ID, Feed ID, Quality Assurance, and Quiz
Senior Quiz - Include Breed ID, Equipment ID, Retail Meat Cut ID, Feed ID, and Quiz
Box Folder Resource Link
2024 Contest Date: August
2024 Contest Date: Wednesday, May 1st
Animal Science Talk Activity Information
4-H'ers with an interest in livestock are encouraged to participate in the Animal Science Speaking Competition at O'Rama. The Top 7 seniors from each district advance to the State contest in Fayetteville.
Seniors should give scientific, factual based presentations pertaining to livestock. Scholarly research should be conducted to obtain relevant, factual information. Example suggested topics for seniors include:
- Antibiotics in food
- Grass fed versus grain fed
- Hormones in meat production
- Alternative feed sources
- Natural breeding versus artificial insemination
- Implanting versus non-implanted stocker calves
- Pre-conditioned versus non pre-conditioned
- PEDv in swine
- African Swine Fever and its implications
- Fake Meat
- Food Waste
- Food Safety
- Current issues
- Nutrition
Example suggested topics for juniors include:
- Antibiotics in food
- Grass fed versus grain fed
- Hormones in meat production
- Artificial Insemination
- Alternative feed sources
- PEDv in swine
- Food Waste
- Food Safety
- Heterosis
- Breeding and Genetics
- Current issues
- Livestock breed differences
- Bos Taurus vs. Bos Indicus
- Nutrition
**It is best to choose topics that are objective. Choosing topics that are subjective (selection, how to show, etc.) are highly discouraged.**
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 DO NOT use the 4HOnline 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.
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:
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
The Arkansas 4-H Livestock Leadership Class (LLC) is designed to increase 4-H’ers (ages 15-19) knowledge of professionalism, leadership, advocacy, Arkansas agriculture, and legislative affairs as it relates to animal agriculture. 4-H’ers must also complete a total of 20 hours of livestock community service. LLC will take place through a series of 4 sessions. Each session will be 2-4 days long and cover the following topic areas: leadership, livestock and the real world (livestock related financial programs, marketing, insurance, conservation programs, etc.), professionalism, interviewing skills, public speaking, etiquette, Extension 101, livestock show perspectives, YQCA, Arkansas farm tours, advocacy and media training, live animal evaluation, animal harvesting, animal fabrication, food safety, careers in animal science, and legislative perspectives.
Arkansas Show Camp
