Beef Cattle Field Day slated for May 15

Cattle producers are invited to a Beef Cattle Field Day on Saturday, May 15, at the Southern University Ag Center, M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena, Highway 61N, in Alsen.


The field day will include lessons on beef production, forages, nutrition, herd health,pesticides, weeds, Estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, body conditioning and scoring, Louisiana Cattle Market, and mixed-grazing research.
Lunch is provided to registrants. Registration begins at 8 am.  
Speakers include Dr. Chris Robichaux, county agent, St. Martin; Dr. Divia Jaroni, food microbiologist, and Christie Monroe, assistant director, livestock show programs, Southern University Ag Center; and Crispen Kinner, county agent, Nacogdoches, Texas.
To register, contact the Southern University Ag Center Livestock Show Programs Office at (225) 771-2242.

Market Champions named during 67th Livestock Show

Officials from the Southern University 67th Annual State Livestock Show announced the following grand champions, reserved champions, and buyers of the March 12-13 show:

C H A M P I O N S

	Exhibitor	Parish	WT.	Amt	Buyer(s)
Grand Champion & LA Bred Champion Market Steer	Dalacey Jackson	Tangipahoa	1164	$4200	Mt. Zion 1st BC
Reserve Champion Market Steer	Henri Carroll	Tensas	1236	$3,000	Evangeline
Reserve Champion LA Bred Market Steer	Allante South	Tensas	1300	$3,000	Southern University Support Group
Grand Champion Market Hog	Makayla Conner	Calcasieu	264	$1,000	US Ret. (Army) General Honore
Reserve Champion Market Hog	Brody Hebert	Lafourche	233	$800	Southern University Support Group
Grand Champion Market Lamb	Blake Shamise	Bossier	160	$600	Joe Delpit
Reserve Champion Market Lamb	Kalee Wich	Bossier	136	$400.00	Whole Foods
Grand Champion Market Goat	Hayden  Holtzclaw	Webster	96	$500.00	Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church
Reserve Champion Market Goat	Sam Balentine	Bossier	94	$1,050	Henley Davidson

                                                                                                           

View photos from the 67th Annual Livestock Show at http://www.suagcenter.com/livestock/Livestock2010/photogallery2010/index.htm

Claiborne, Natchitoches youth win most showmanship champions

The 67th Annual State Livestock Show
Showmanship Champions

2010 Beef Breeding Division

Category:  Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion: MacKenzie Scriber, Claiborne Parish

Reserve Champion: Austin McCurry, Claiborne Parish

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Heifer

Champion:  Taylor Dobson, Natchitoches Parish

Reserve Champion: Taylor Dobson, Natchitoches Parish

Category:  Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Jake LaCaze, Natchitoches Parish

Reserve Champion: Ashlyn Turner, Claiborne Parish

Category:  Non-Brahman Influence – Bull

Champion: Chloe Thompson, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Category:  Commercial Heifer

Champion: Mitchell Miles, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Jesse Magee, Jackson Parish
                            Category:  Beef Showmanship

Champion: Megan Hammons, Jackson Parish

Reserve Champion: MacKenzie Scriber, Claiborne Parish

2010 Junior Dairy Division
 Dairy Champion and Showmanship
Eugene Runles, Superintendent

Category: Supreme Champion

Champion: Ann Robinson, Webster Parish

Reserve Champion: Baylse Salley, Sabine Parish

2010 Commercial Dairy Division

Category: Supreme Commercial Champion

Champion: Stefanie Ferguson, Winn Parish

Reserve Champion: Baylse Salley, Sabine Parish                       

          Category:  Dairy Showmanship

Champion: Katherine Rashall, Caddo Parish

2010 Market Goat Division
Goat Showmanship Only 
Mary McMahon, Superintendent

Category:  Goat Showmanship

Champion: Kyle Curtis, Beauregard Parish

Reserve Champion: Hayden Holtzclaw, Webster Parish

2010 Market Lamb Division     
 Lamb Showmanship Only
Terrance Marshall, Superintendent

Category:  Lamb Showmanship

Champion: Maggie Brakeville, Bossier Parish

Reserve Champion: Thomas Bearden, Bossier Parish

2010 Market Hog Division
Swine Showmanship Only
Terry Washington, Superintendent
Category:  Swine Showmanship

Champion: Makayla Conner, Calcasieu Parish

Reserve Champion:Parker Bevel, Caddo Parish


Contact: Livestock Show Programs, Southern University Ag Center, 225-771-2242 

Show dedicated to Turnley, Quebedeaux

This weekend's 67th Annual State Livestock Show was dedicated to former Rep. Richard “Dick” Turnley Jr., a native of Plaquemine, and to the memory of Danny Quebedeaux, an educator, mentor, and teacher in Thibodaux.

Richard “Dick” Turnley Jr.
Turnley became CEO and Treasurer of the Southern Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union in 1959, the oldest black-owned financial institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1972, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives where he served until 1984 when he was elected to the Louisiana Senate. While in the senate, Mr. Turnley played a key role in organizing the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. His public service was not limited to his immediate area as he served as a volunteer consultant for the World Council of Credit Unions for the South Africa Credit Union Movement, where he was very instrumental in the development of credit unions there. Under Mr. Turnley’s leadership, the Southern University Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union has supported the Southern University Ag Center's Livestock Show Programs by purchasing the Grand Champions and Reserve Champions. (Eldridge Etienne, assistant manager, Southern University Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union, accepts recognition)

Danny Quebedeax
Quebedeax spent more than 34 years teaching agriculture and sponsoring the FFA organization and other programs at his school. In his years of teaching, he touched many lives in and out of the classroom. Working with students brought him tremendous joy and that passion was evident throughout his career. Most students, who enrolled in the agricultural program, had no idea what it was about. He prepared junior high students to compete against high school students. His students, in many of the contest, came back home to Thibodaux with championship trophies. He trained these students to be winners and would not accept anything less. (Quebedeax's family accepts recognition)

They are here!

Louisiana’s young farmers and ranchers are exhibiting animals this morning at 8am until 7pm at the 67th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

The two-day competition is happening at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on Highway 61N in Alsen, LA. Judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats.  The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions.

The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open today at 9 am to 1 pm. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone’s lives. The show will also have face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, for local school groups.

Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, March 13, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for sale.

Workshops explore livestock harvesting, marketing

Livestock harvesting and marketing workshops will be held in north and south Louisiana for county agents, agriculture professionals, and livestock producers across the state.   These are important topics to ensure compliance with regulations as more farmers transition to home  harvest, processing and marketing of  meat from their grass fed cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.

Workshop speakers will present:

§  “Meat Inspection: Compliance with the Regulations” by Jim Jenkins, Program Manager, Meat and Poultry Inspection, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, Louisiana  Department of Agriculture & Forestry

§  “Identifying and Utilizing Non-traditional Markets for Meat” by Stuart Gardener, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

§  “What the End User Wants” by Louisiana Chef Bobby Williams

§  “Further Processing/Added Value/Ethnic Markets” by YaSin Muhaimin, Louisiana producer

A workshop will be held in north Louisiana on Tuesday, April 6, at the LSU Calhoun Research Station on 321 Hwy. 80 East in Calhoun. The workshop will be repeated April 14 at the LSU/SU Breaux Bridge Extension Office at 114 Courthouse Street in Breaux Bridge.

The workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Contact James McNitt at james_mcnitt@suagcenter.com, or (225) 771-2262 x 270, Carl Motsenbocker at cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1036, or Natalie Levy NLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu or (225) 578-1037 for more information or to register.

The workshop is sponsored by the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, LSU AgCenter, and SU AgCenter. 

West Feliciana high wins 3rd livestock quiz bowl

Five teams of future farmers participated in the 3rd Annual Livestock and Poultry Quiz Bowl last November at the SU Ag Center. The teams included FFA Chapters from Clinton, West Feliciana, Church Point, Northwest and North Central high schools.


Each team consisted of four players and an alternate who answered questions about livestock management, business, and terminology. The teams competed in several rounds, but Clinton and West Feliciana high schools dominated the championship round. West Feliciana was named this year's champion after three intensive rounds of questions. West Feliciana team was coached by Jason McCray a graduate of Southern University A&M College.


"The contest is growing every year, and we look forward to it every year,” said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director.


West Feliciana High—1st place winner (pictured above)
Clinton High—2nd place winner

67th Annual State Livestock Show starts March 11

School groups, families, meat buyers welcomed

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state are gearing up for the 67th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, March 11-13.

They are grooming, weighing, and even breeding their champion animals in preparation for the two-day competition to be held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on Highway 61N in Alsen, LA. 

The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. During the two-day event, judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats. The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open Friday, March 12, 9 am. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone’s lives. The show will also have face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, until 1 pm Friday for local school groups.

Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, March 13, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for pre-sale now, as well as during the auction.  

Weigh in for animals and contestant check in begin March 11. School groups and families are invited to attend this free event.

To pre-order meat or register a group, visit www.suagcenter.com.

Annual Livestock & Poultry Quiz Bowl scheduled

The 3^rd Annual Livestock & Poultry Quiz Bowl will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 9am in the Southern University Ag center studio. Teams will travel from North Central High, Church Point High, Clinton High, Northwest High, Port Barre High, and West Feliciana High schools. Contact Renita Marshall DVM, livestock show programs director, (225) 771-2242 ext. 330 or renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

Church's 'beefing up' gets media attention

One of the most memorable experiences from this year's Livestock and Poultry Show was the participation of a local church congregation in the Junior Auction. The church, Mount Zion First Baptist, purchased the Grand Champion and an additional three steers, four lambs, and three hogs. This Saturday (May 9), The Advocate  featured the church's support of the Ag Center's Show in the article, Church buys livestock for charity work. Read it at http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/faith/44612972.html

Horse riders and young egg hunters invited to horseshow, trail ride, rodeo

Horse riders and young Easter egg hunters are invited to come out to the M.A. Edmond Arena on Hwy 61 near Baker for the Southern University Ag Center's 36th Annual State and Regional Horseshow, Trail ride, and Rodeo, Saturday, April 4 at 9a.m. Gates open at 8:30a.m.

Trophies will be awarded to egg hunters who find the silver, golden, and most eggs in the one-year-old to five-year-old group and the six-year-old to 10-year-old group. Participants can pet rabbits at the mini-farm before heading to the stick horse rodeo.

Young riders will compete in open barrel racing, buddy pick up, and cold drink run on their stick horses.

This annual event attracts more than 400 horse ranchers, riders, and ropers young and old. Trail riders from as far as Arkansas, Texas and North Louisiana will travel to the arena just in time for young riders to see an authentic horse corale and adult horse competitions. Trophies will be awarded for all youth and adult competitions. The day ends with a Blues and Zydeco Extravaganza.

The event is free to children 12 years old and younger. Adults and older youth will pay a $5 gate fee. The public and media are invited to attend.

Schedule of activities:
8:30 a.m. -Gates Open
9:00 a.m. -Easter Egg Hunt*
10:30 a.m. - Youth Stick Horse Rodeo*
1:00 p.m. - Trail Ride leaves from Southern University Mini Dome
3:30 p.m. - Halter and Western Pleasure Open Barrel Racing
4:00 p.m. - Open Barrel Racing, Buddy Pick Up and Cold Drink Run
5:00 p.m. - Gaited Horse Show
6:30 p.m. - Fashion Show (Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl)
7:30 p.m. - Ranch Rodeo
9:00 p.m. - Blues and Zydeco Extravaganza
*open events for all participants.

For more information or to register, call Christie Monroe, assistant livestock show programs director, (225) 771-2242.
###

North Central High School wins quiz bowl

The winners of the Second Annual Livestock Quiz Bowl were North Central High School students: (L to R) Kristen Casse, 11^th grade; Brittany Taylor, 12th grade; (Back Row) Preston Bryant – 12 grade; Matthew Stelly, team coach – North Central High School; Daleonne Smith, 12th grade. The team received awards from Gina Eubanks, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, at left,  and Renita Marshall, DVM, director,  livestock show programs. Photo by Christopher Rogers.

Livestock show gets interview with local media

For two consecutive days, Southern University Ag Center's Livestock Show was the talk of two local media outlets in Baton Rouge. WAFB Channel 9 announced the event Thursday and WRKF 89.3FM (Louisiana's National Public Radio station) launch the Friday morning Jim Engster Show with the activities of the 66th annual show.

Dr. Renita Marshall, livestock programs director and assistant professor, was interviewed by both stations and the Louisiana Agri-News Network which is a radio news network for farmers. The later segment will air next week. Announcements of the show are also appearing on local websites, community calendars, and community newspapers.

Watch the Channel 9 interview here: http://www.wafb.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=89761&topVideoCatNoB=92715&topVideoCatNoC=151875&topVideoCatNoD=89780&topVideoCatNoE=89943&clipId=3463940&topVideoCatNo=undefined&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Listen to The Jim Engster Show here: http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrkf/local-wrkf-821900.mp3

Congratulations Dr. Marshall for great interviews. Congratulations also to the Livestock Show team Christie Monroe, Brenda DeRouen, Joyce Tubbs, and Lisa Gray for their hardwork preparing for next week's activities.

66th Annual State Livestock Show starts February 27

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state are gearing up for the 66th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

They are grooming, weighing, and even breeding their champion animals in preparation for the February 27-28 competition to be held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on James C. Archie Drive in Baker off of Highway 61N. School groups and families are invited to attend this free event. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for sale.

"This culminating event not only showcases the showmanship of Louisiana's young herdsmen, it also shows the hardwork, dedication, and financial investments they and their families have made in raising the livestock," said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director. According to Marshall, proceeds from the meat sales go directly to the youth.

The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. During the two-day event, judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats. The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open Friday, February 27, 9 am. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone's lives. The show will also have livestock and poultry quiz bowl, face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, until 1 pm Friday for local school groups.

The Southern University Ag Center has hosted the competition as a means to "develop champion youth," said chancellor Leodrey Williams. Youth, age seven to 19, whose animals successfully weigh-in will be judged on showmanship and the animal's grooming. Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, February 28, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Meat buyers, who have not pre-purchased their meat, will be on hand to bid for show livestock meat.

To pre-order meat or register a group, call the livestock show office at (225) 771-2242 or emailing Marshall at renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

Meat sales continue for 66th year

The Southern University Ag Center has launched the meat sales campaign for our annual livestock show, Feb. 27-28. Again this year, we will allow contributions to be used to purchase meat for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Last year, you made monetary contribution (not direct meat purchases) that resulted in a nearly 800 pounds of fresh meat to be purchased and donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Your contribution—in any amount— will impact the state in two ways: first, the contributions will be added up to purchase the meat directly from the young herdsmen who raised the livestock and the purchased meat will go directly to the food bank for immediate distribution. All monetary contributions go to purchase the meat from a youth who has raised it on a local farm and to the processing unit who cleans, cuts and prepares the meat for consumption. You can purchase meat or make a donation using this form: http://www.suagcenter.com/livestock/Livestock2009/Auction%20Card%2009.pdf

Your purchase or contribution encourages  young Louisiana herdsmen to experience the rewards of a career in livestock production and provides more fresh meat for the families GBRFB serves. The Southern University Ag Center does not receive commission from sales or contributions. More information and meat purchase forms are available at http://www.suagcenter.com/livestock/Livestock2009/index.htm

Contact: Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock programs director, at renita_marshall@suagcenter.com