2022 Georgia Junior Herd Builder Contest By Dylan Davis, Youth Livestock Specialist, and Dr. Lawton Stewart, Extension Beef Specialist, Univeristy of Georgia

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 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

questions to determine the winner of the Junior Herd Builder Program. Participants this year included: Rex Hughes, Wilcox County; Katie Reynolds, Gordon County; Lacey Montgomery, Lowndes County; Taylor Lucas, Effingham County; Trenton Bracken, Effingham County; Ruby Lee Parrish, Lowndes County; Cora Crews, Brantley County; and Macey South, Upson County.

Top five results from the 2022 Junior Herd Builder Program include: Rex Hughes, 5th Overall; Katie Reynolds, 4th Overall; Cora Crews, 3rd Overall; Ruby Lee Parrish, Reserve Champion; Macey South, Grand Champion.

Thank you to the individuals who donated their time to serve as judges this year. Judges included: Dr. Lawton Stewart, Dr. Ronnie Silcox, Jason Duggin, Carole Knight, Callie Akins and Michael Loughridge. A special thankyou goes out to very generous sponsors who donated products, feed vouchers, discounts and cash to our participants. Sponsors included: Georgia Farm Bureau; AgGeorgia Farm Credit; Godfrey’s Feed; Allfex; Cherokee Feed and Seed; Boehringer Ingelheim; and Graham Livestock Systems.

The Junior Herd Builder Program challenges students to make informed, financially viable decisions, while encouraging involvement in production agriculture. Students will not only benefit from learning the responsibility and hard work that it takes to develop heifers; but also, the equity acquired during this program will prove to be beneficial for each student for years to come. For more information about participating in next year’s program, please contact your local Extension office (extension. uga.edu or 1-800-ASK-UGA-1).

Photos above: Left - Macey South of Upson County (center) was named Grand Champion of the 2022 Georgia Junior Herd Builder Program. Also pictured: Program organizers Dr. Lawton Stewart (left) and Dylan Davis (right). Middle - Ruby Lee Parrish of Lowndes County (center) was named Reserve Champion of the 2022 Georgia Junior Herd Builder Program. Also pictured: Program organizers Dr. Lawton Stewart (left) and Dylan Davis (right). Right - Cora Crews of Brantley County (center) was named 3rd Overall of the 2022 Georgia Junior Herd Builder Program. Also pictured: Program organizers Dr. Lawton Stewart (left) and Dylan Davis (right).

Left - Judge Callie Akins (left) asks contestant Macey South (right center) a question concerning her record book and heifers during the live animal evaluation. Also pictured: Judges Dr. Lawton Stewart (left center) and Michael Loughridge (right). Right - Rex Hughes (right center) presents his project to a panel of judges (L to R): Dr. Ronnie Silcox, Carole Knight, and Jason Duggin.

1/4 MILE OF PASTURE MANAGEMENT FENCING SUPPLIES AWARDED EACH QUARTER TO THE TOP GCA MEMBERSHIP RECRUITER

Regular Memberships Only Each Quarterly Prize Includes:

4 Rolls of Pasture Management Fixed Knot 9-49-6-330ft 60 5-6 in x 7ft Pasture Management CCA .40 Treated Wood Posts 14 6-7 in x 8ft Pasture Management CCA .40 Treated Wood Posts 1 Pasture Management 12ft Tube Gate - Available in Galvanized, Red, or Black 9 10 ft H-Brace Brace Pipes 3 10 lb Buckets of Pasture Mangement Double Barbed Class 3 Staples 10 Speed Brace Kits 1 Speed Brace Kit Tensioning Tools 2 52 inch Stetcher Bars 2 Stretcher Bar Pullers 1 Knipex Wire Cutters 1 100ct Jars of Long 2-3 Crimp Sleeves 1 Crimping Tool 1 Roll of 4,000 ft 12.5 ga High Tensile Electric Fence Wire: Class 3 Galvanized, 170 K psi 1 Bag of 25 Speedrite HD End Strainer Insulators 3 Bags of 25 Pasture Management Wood Post Pinlock Insulators 75 10 inch Steel Ofset Insulator 1 Patriot PMX600 Energizer: 6 Joule Output 1 Pasture Management 66ft Underground Cable 42 1 GEORGIA CATTLEMAN | JULY 2022Jar of 25 Joint Clamps

2nd Quarter '22 Winner

Howard Johnson

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3rd Quarter '22 Winner