At this years Four States Agricultural Exposition, youths in the 4-H and FFA livestock judging competition didnt just learn about animals.
They learned about life.
During the contest, more than 60 young judgers must examine animals, record their observations, memorize them, then present them to a judge of their own later in the day. The contest is more about being animal savvy and learning how to recognize quality livestock.
Mancos High School sophomore Kyle Cox said its hard because the animals are so close to each other.
We evaluate other peoples animals, and we give a set of reasons of how we evaluated them. And were being evaluated, Cox said during the contest March 16 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Its a fun contest.
Students are divided by age. Juniors are ages 8 to 13 years old, and seniors are 14 to 18 years old. The young animal scientists form small teams to examine heifers, swine, sheep, bulls and steers. They had three minutes for each kind of animal, looking for things like market value or quality of leanness. As part of the competition rules, they judge in silence.
Beth LaShell is a professor of animal science at Fort Lewis College in Durango who also works with Colorado State University. She said the competition is a good way to introduce students to improving organizational skills and public speaking as well as learn about agriculture.
Weve worked with kids that struggled in school and after learning to be more organized and take notes and have a time frame to so something, then we see improvement, LaShell said. Theres a little independence. No one is helping them and theyre making their own decisions, and I like that independence part of it.
The seniors even dress their best, sporting ties and blazers or dresses with cowboy boots.
I think they act a little different when theyre in blazers, LaShell said.
According to LaShell, Montezuma and La Plata counties team up for competitions, and have for nearly 20 years.
She also said there are significant scholarship opportunities that can be awarded for livestock judging.
The scholarships are very important, and we try to get scholarships to the kids, LaShell said. There are a lot of junior colleges too, so just like playing volleyball or basketball or anything else, there are programs that put them through school.
Montezuma-Cortez High School agricultural science teacher Amanda Ramos agreed. She also said the students are getting valuable tools for life after school.
I think theyre getting skills they can use no matter what, Ramos said. Communication is highly desired, and this is just another way for them to practice that and develop confidence while speaking in public.
Ramos added that livestock judging is a good way to build a foundation for agriculture.
One of Ramos students, Landin Wilson, said the hardest part for him is to memorize his reasons, but it was a good learning experience for him. He said hell never look at livestock the same.
Whenever I see a cow I look at it and think, Oh, now this is a good cow.
Ramos Cortez Future Farmers of America high school team also competed in the contest. The team placed fourth overall.
Reach Brandon Mathis at brandonm@cortezjournal.com.