Youngsters from all across Tennessee are participating in the 41st Tennessee Junior Livestock Exposition July 9-11 at Middle Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Livestock Center.
Activities on Tuesday, July 10, include Market Steer Showmanship competitions, the “Skillathon,” Market Steer Show and Commercial Heifer Showmanship. Wednesday, July 11, activities include the Beef Heifer Showmanship competition, another Skillathon, two rings of Junior Beef Heifer Shows and Premier Exhibitor Awards.
The students will be rising fourth-graders through high-school seniors this fall.
Participants and their families came from as far away as Claiborne County in East Tennessee and McNairy County in West Tennessee.
In addition to hosting the event for another year, MTSU’s involvement included the student-driven Block and Bridle Club providing four awards. They include Grand Champion Heifer Other Breeds, Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Other Breeds, Champion Bred by Exhibitor Heifer Other Breeds and Reserve Champion Bred by Exhibitor Heifer Other Breeds.
Dr. Jessica Carter, associate professor in the MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience, said she uses the expo to recruit students to the program.
MTSU provided chocolate milk from its dairy and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce provided cookies for the event.
This year marks the final year with Jim Neel of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville serving as exposition superintendent, trade-show manager and breeding ewe show chairman, said Dr. Warren Gill, director of the MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience. Neel is retiring as a professor in animal science at UT.