INDUSTRY NEWS
2022 GEORGIA JUNIOR HERD BUILDER CONTEST By Dylan Davis, Youth Livestock Specialist and Lawton Stewart, Extension Beef Specialist University of Georgia
On May 13, 2022, the second annual Junior Herd Builder contest was held at the Instructional Livestock Arena in Athens. The program was developed to allow students the opportunity to be involved with cattle production outside of the showring. This program requires students to complete a series of online learning modules relevant to beef cattle production, become members of the Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association, and receive Beef Quality Assurance Certification. During the learning modules, students are required to watch a lecture covering each specific topic and complete a 10-question quiz. All learning modules must be completed, or the student is disqualified. After completing the learning requirements, students are responsible for locating and securing three heifers of similar age, weight and genetics that align with the timeline of the program. Students must maintain ownership of the heifers throughout the duration of the program and be the primary caregiver. Participants are encouraged to follow the UGA Beef 40
GEORGIA CATTLEMAN | JULY 2022
Management Calendar and have their heifers at least 30 days bred by the contest date. A record book must be maintained by each participant, highlighting their goals, expenses and tasks. Nine students from across the state competed in a day-long event to crown the champion of the Junior Herd Builder Program. Students had to participate in two rounds of interviews with six total judges. The first interview consisted of the student presenting their record book and heifers, and answering questions from judges Dr. Lawton Stewart, Michael Loughridge and Callie Akins. After the first interview, the participant had approximately 10 minutes to transition to the second interview. Each participant was required to give a 10- to 15-minute presentation about their project to the second set of judges, which included: Jason Duggin, Dr. Ronnie Silcox and Carole Knight. At the conclusion of their presentation, students were asked questions regarding the entirety of their project. Each student participated in one hour of presentations and
