Local Youths Perform Well at 4H Show

Submitted by Heidi Israel
    Many of our Central, Zachary, and Pride area residents participate in the EBR 4H livestock and Backyard Buddy 4H clubs.  These students work hard to prepare and show their animals at a parish, district and state level.  Congratulations to all of those who did well at the latest 4H show.
    For generations, the East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H Livestock Show has been an annual tradition that has helped countless youths based on their involvement in the program. After months of preparation and hard work, youths have the opportunity to showcase their animal projects, ranging from large projects like cattle and goats to smaller animals such as chickens or rabbits. This year, the Parish Livestock Show was held on January 22nd and 23rd, 2016 at Parker Coliseum located on LSU’s main campus in Baton Rouge, LA.
    Months of preparation came together as over 60 participating youth competed for top honors as they exhibited 167 animals, making it one of the largest shows in recent years. At the show, animals were evaluated based on phenotype, where a judge looks for traits like muscling, structural correctness, frame size, style and balance. These certain traits will vary amongst species as well as if the animal is shown for market or for breeding. For example, when looking at market animals, muscling is an important trait. And when looking at breeding animals, growth and performance and body capacity are critical. It is not an easy job to be a livestock judge, but some of the best were there to judge the East Baton Rouge Show. Dr. Brandi Karisch, Beef Cattle Specialist for MSU Extension Service worked through countless classes of livestock to evaluate hogs, sheep, goats, and cattle. Guy Purpera and Sam Neal, local experts, judged the poultry and rabbits, respectfully working thru over 11 classes of poultry and 10 breeds of rabbits.
    The show’s results below are provided by the EBR 4H Office: 
Cattle
Supreme Bull & Champion Brahman— Gordie Simon;  Supreme Heifer & Champion  Hereford— Hunter Millican;  Grand Champion Angus Bull — Ben Forbes;  Reserve Champion Angus Bull — Ben Forbes;  Grand Champion Angus Heifer — Regan Greene;  Reserve Champion Angus Heifer — Regan Greene;  Grand Champion Brahman Heifer — Cassie Decoteau;  Reserve Champion Brahman Heifer — Gordi Simon;  Grand Champion Braford Heifer — Garrett Wood;  Reserve Champion Braford Heifer — Garrett Wood;  Grand Champion Hereford Bull — Griffin Kennedy;  Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer — Hunter Millican;  Grand Champion Santa Gertrudis Heifer — Caiden McDowell;  Grand Champion Santa Gertrudis Heifer — Caiden McDowell;  Grand Champion AOB Brahman Heifer — Lucas McDowell;  Grand Champion AOB Non-Brahman Heifer — Morgan Thompson;  Champion Jr Showman — Cassie Decoteau;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Gordie Simon;  Champion Sr Showman — Garrett Wood
Swine
Supreme Gilt & Champion Commercial Gilt — Jett Kuehne;  Grand Champion Market Hog — Kinslee Pellerin;  Reserve Champion Market Hog — Jett Keuhne;  Champion Jr. Showman — Jett Keuhne;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Kinslee Pellerin
Sheep
Grand Champion Market Lamb — Zoey Monroe;  Reserve Champion Market Lamb — Zoey Monroe;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Zoey Monroe 
Goats
Supreme Goat & Champion Fullblood Doe — Garrett Cullen;  Reserve Champion Fullblood Doe — Hunter Heinrich;  Grand Champion Percentage Doe  — Hunter Heinrich;  Reserve Champion Percentage Doe — Samantha Vaughan;  Grand Champion Commercial Doe — Annalyse Greely;  Reserve Champion Commercial Doe — Garrett Cullen;  Grand Champion Nygerian Doe — Annalyse Greely;  Grand Champion Pygmy Doe — Erin Jines;  Champion Junior Showman — Samantha Vaughan;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Kyra Greely;  Champion Senior Showman — Hunter Heinrich
Rabbits
Best of Show — Susanna Shields;  Best Opposite — Sarah Israel;  Champion Junior Showman — Aili King;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Jane Zaruba;  Champion Senior Showman — Kayla Kirby
Poultry
Best In Show – Sarah Israel;  Grand Champion American Class— Sarah Israel;  Reserve Champion American Class — Jane Zaruba;  Grand Champion Asiatic Class — Cort Decoteau;  Reserve Champion Asiatic Class — Abby Becnel:  Grand Champion English Class — Cort Decoteau;  Reserve Champion English Class — Ben Forbes;  Grand Champion Continental Class — Abby Becnel;  Grand Champion Mediterranean Class — Ben Forbes;  Reserve Champion Mediterranean Class — Ben Forbes;  Grand Champion All Other Standard Breeds — Lexann York;  Grand Champion All Other Comb Clean Legged — Erin Jines;  Grand Champion Game Class — Andrew Robinson;  Grand Champion Feather Legged Class — Kayla Kirby;  Reserve Champion Feather Legged Class — Bryce King;  Grand Champion Single Comb Clean Legged — Sarah Israel;  Reserve Champion Single Comb Clean Legged — Erin Jines;  Grand Champion Rose Comb Clean Legged — Nick Bourgault;  Reserve Champion Rose Comb Clean Legged — Nick Bourgault;  Champion Junior Showman — Aili King;  Champion Intermediate Showman — Bryce King;  Champion Senior Showman — Kayla Kirby
     For more information about the show and East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H, please visit our Facebook page or website.