2015 Youth Agricultural Achievement Contest Information

Entries must be submitted to AFR Education Department by March 13, 2015

This contest is designed to recognize Oklahoma youth who have an interest in livestock, excel in showmanship skills and have knowledge of the livestock industry to include production, management, processing and end product utilization.

The contest stimulates excellence and a quest for knowledge that results in the development of leadership skills applicable to the livestock industry.

Competition will be limited to 4-H & FFA members exhibiting breeding and/or market beef, sheep, goat or swine at the 2015 Oklahoma Youth Expo and who are classified as high school juniors or seniors.

Schedule of Events

Objectives

To recognize Oklahoma youth who have an interest in livestock, excel in showmanship skills and have knowledge of the livestock industry to include production, management, processing and end product utilization.

To stimulate excellence and a quest for knowledge that will result in the development of leadership skills applicable to the livestock industry.

Eligibility

Competition will be limited to 4-H & FFA members exhibiting breeding and/or market beef, sheep, goat or swine at the 2015 Oklahoma Youth Expo and who are classified as high school juniors or seniors.

Entry

Pre-entry must be made on the application forms available in OSU County Extension Offices, from Agricultural Education Teachers, the Oklahoma Youth Expo or American Farmers & Ranchers. Entries must be submitted to Blaire Boyer, AFR Youth & Education Coordinator by March 13, 2015. If an applicant is exhibiting animals in more than one species, then a choice of one species must be indicated on the entry form.

Evaluation

Written Exam (50%)

• All participants will take a written exam:
• 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 16 – Barn 3 Sale Pavilion
• Questions will pertain to all phases of the livestock industry to include current events.
• CIMC Animal Science Curriculum will be used in selecting test questions and animal science units in Introduction to Agriscience.
• All questions will be age appropriate for youth in the age range of 16-19 years of age.

Showmanship (10%)

• Each participant will be evaluated on showmanship ability in one class. Each participant must show the animal they have entered. No substitute animals will be allowed.
• Swine Showmanship – Barn 6 Arena – Monday, March 16
• Sheep Showmanship – Super Barn Arena – Monday, March 16
• Cattle Showmanship – State Fair Arena – Tuesday, March 17
• Goat Showmanship – Super Barn Arena – Wednesday, March 18

Interview (40%)

• Interviews will be held on Thursday, March 19. Official dress of the students’ appropriate organization must be worn.
• OFFICIAL DRESS IS REQUIRED!!
• The ten youth with the highest total scores combining points from showmanship evaluation and the written exam will be interviewed by a panel of individuals representing various segments of the livestock industry.
• Questions will pertain to the applicant’s livestock project (40%) and the livestock industry (60%).

POSTED SCORES:

A list of the top 10 participants (Combining Written Exam Totals & Showmanship Scores) will be posted at the Show Office in each arena by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Awards

• Top Ten Awards:
• 1st -$1,000
• 2nd-$900
• 3rd-$800
• 4th-$600
• 5th- $500
• 6th-$350
• 7th -$200
• 8th -$200
• 9th -$200
• 10th -$150

EACH OF THE TOP 10 FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE CASH AWARDS & JACKETS