Mark your calendar for December 20-22 as the public is invited to attend the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Weekend Spectacular. Sponsored by AgGeorgia Farm Credit and coordinated by Gordon County 4-H, these shows will feature 4-H and FFA members exhibiting their show animals into which they have invested an incredible amount of time and resources, all while improving themselves and learning skills to be the next generation of leaders in agriculture. Species shown will now include heifers, swine, sheep, goats and steers to make this a five show event.
The event will be held at Northwest Georgia Research & Education Livestock Pavilion and will start with the heifer and steer shows on Friday, December 20 at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, December 21, the swine show will begin at 12:00 noon. To cap off the weekend, the breeding doe show will take place on Sunday, December 22 beginning at 12:00 noon with the breeding ewe show following. Each of these five shows will require the exhibitors to test their skills in a showmanship competition where they lead their animals around the ring and show the judge that they are in complete control. The judge will look at feet placement of the heifer, steer, breeding doe and breeding ewe, proper techniques of the showman, and the knowledge each has of their animals including the swine. Posture and composure of the exhibitor. Is also critiqued. Once showmanship exhibitors are place, the market classes will begin. Each heifer will compete in breed classes, so the judge can give his/her opinion of the conformation of each animal, after which they will select a Grand Champion and top 5 overall heifers of the show. The same is true for the steer show and a Grand Champion and top 5 overall steers will be placed as well.
The judge of the swine show, both gilts (female) and barrows (male), will select a Grand Champion and top 5 in each Division, Gilt and Barrow. The judge will evaluate each showman on their ability to control their animal while maintaining the correct posture and composure, in addition to answering questions asked by the judge and keeping eye contact at the same time.
The AgGeorgia Farm Credit Breeding Doe show will begin at 12:00 p.m. will take place on Sunday, December 22 and will also include showmanship and breeding classes for competitors. Competitors in these shows will also be competing for Supreme Showman as well as Grand Champion and Top 5 placings.
Whether you attend one, two, or all five shows, you will be impressed as to how the youth present their animals and appreciate the amount of work and devotion required to be an exhibitor.
For more information about the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Weekend Spectacular, please contact Tim Street at the Gordon County Extension/4-H Office at 706-629-8685.
