r By Kaylee Liddiard
Five hundred and forty 4-H and FFA youth from throughout the state of Utah will be at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds May 4-7 for the 92nd Annual Utah State Junior Livestock Show. The youth will exhibit the hog, sheep and beef projects that they have been working with for the past few months.rYouth have been spending countless hours in preparation. They spend time feeding, grooming, walking and training their projects to be able to show them off. A judge will select the top 12 animals in the market and breeding divisions, with the top animal being named Grand Champion. In addition, the youth will compete in the Showmanship division where their skills are judged and a champion in each age division selected. More than $4,000 in awards will be given to those who excel.rThe livestock program is a great way to teach youth to develop responsibility, gain knowledge and skills in the livestock industry, make management decisions and become contributing members of society. Many of the youth have gained lifelong friends and contacts throughout the state.
Mallory Sorensen, who will be exhibiting a hog, steer, heifer and bull at the show, feels that the she has gained a lot through the program. “I have had to learn better communication skills to talk to the judge and those around me. I like showing because it’s something my family can do together,” she said.
Other youth like Amanda Olsen like the responsibility it teaches them. She said, “I’ve gained the knowledge of how to work hard. I show because of the experiences it has given me to make new friends, be closer to my family and learn to work hard for something.”rThe culmination of their year of record-keeping and livestock management comes with the livestock auction, held on the Saturday of the show. Individuals and business will support these youth by bidding on and purchasing the animal. All of the shows and the auction are open for the public to attend. For the schedule and more information, visit Utah State Junior Livestock Show on Facebook.
