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Published on 03/13/03

Livestock projects teach your children well

By Mike Isbell
University of Georgia

"I really messed up," said 13-year-old Levi George, a Heard County 4-H Club member, at the conclusion of the cattle show.

Levi had two registered Angus heifers. They were both in the same class at the show, which meant Levi had two show calves competing against each other. But he couldn't show both calves at the same time in the show ring.

So he talked his 10-year-old brother Luke into showing the second heifer for him.

The heifer Luke showed won first place in the class and $30. Luke showed it again in the division final and won "Grand Champion Angus" and $50. Finally, Luke and the heifer went on to win "Supreme Champion," making it the top heifer at the show and winning another $150.

'I really messed up'

"Man, I really messed up," Levi repeated to himself.

"Well, what's the matter?" I asked him. "Your heifer won the whole show. So what did you mess up about?"

Levi shook his head in dismay and replied, "I promised Luke if he'd show my calf for me, he could have all the prize money the calf won!"

$230 in prize money may sound like a lot to a 13-year-old, but the value is not in the prize money. It's in what the junior livestock project teaches.

Bill Hodge, the University of Georgia Extension agent in Carroll County, said most youth livestock projects aren't economically sound. But then, raising kids isn't economically sound, either.

Livestock lessons

Livestock projects teach kids to get along with each other and respect each other. You should see how they all pitch in and help each other out -- even if it means helping the competition.

They know that getting beat is just a part of growing up. And their time to win will come. Even if it's not in the show ring.

Livestock projects teach responsibility. They teach kids to faithfully provide for the animals in their care. Training their animals for the show teaches them the value of consistency and persistence.

And the fact that the kids have to look after another living creature teaches them that we, as humans, are responsible for this world we live in. They learn to be good stewards of the earth.

They learn the kinds of things that will help keep this a nice place to live for their kids.

Mike Isbell is the Heard County extension coordinator with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Mike Isbell
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