Richmond County 4-H youth are at the top of their game as they take top placings at each livestock circuit show they travel to. They are winning lots of ribbons, trophies and premium money.

At the Cumberland County show, Ava Berry won third place in the junior goat showmanship division and Savannah Shepard placed fourth. Payton Smith won fourth in the intermediate showmanship division. Jordan Carroll won first and Coleman Berry won third in the senior showmanship division. Tobey Lunceford showed in the Cloverbud division.

These young people are learning so many life skills by traveling to circuit shows across the state. They learn responsibility, self-confidence, communication, organizational skills, leadership, animal husbandry, financial practices and many more skills that they will use in their adult life.

They learn responsibility by getting up early every morning to feed and water their animals. Before each show, they wash, dry, clip and trim their animals’ hooves. They gain self-confidence and communication skills by talking with other youth at shows and speaking with judges in the show ring.

Youth at circuit shows learn organization by figuring out what they need to bring to each show to anticipate the best experience. They learn leadership skills by being challenged to do their best and help other people at the shows and in their 4-H Club. They learn animal husbandry skills when their animals get sick by treating them appropriately so they can make a quick recovery and get back in the ring.

They learn financial skills by budgeting their money to purchase feed and show supplies and put their money in the bank to save it for big purchases. Many youth save up to purchase cars or to go to college.

Several new youth from the community have expressed interest in how to get started showing goats. It’s a good idea to go to shows and meet people now to learn what needs to be done. It’s also a good idea to start going to 4-H Livestock Club meetings starting in January so youth can learn how to care for animals before they even get them.

They normally start purchasing animals in June so they have plenty of time to tame and clip them. Anyone ages 5-18 can show animals in 4-H.

The show schedule and points are listed on the Richmond County website at: http://richmond.ces.ncsu.edu/site-richmond-9/

Congratulations to all of our 4-H participants for a job well done! The next show will be hosted in neighboring Anson and Union counties this weekend. If you have questions about the circuit or showing livestock, please call our office at 910-997-8255.

Tiffanee Conrad is Richmond County’s agriculture agent for livestock at the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Richmond County Center.

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Contributed photo The senior goat showmanship division is shown at the Moore County 4-H Livestock Show. Richmond County 4-H’ers continue to make a strong showing in regional livestock circuit competitions.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_fzd-senior-goat-showmen-2015.jpgContributed photo The senior goat showmanship division is shown at the Moore County 4-H Livestock Show. Richmond County 4-H’ers continue to make a strong showing in regional livestock circuit competitions.

Tiffanee Conrad

Extension At Your Service