FARMERVILLE, La. – A group of Louisiana 4-H members competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 7-20.

The 4-H’ers attended after winning the LSU AgCenter’s Beef and Sheep Educational Award trip during the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport, said Jason Holmes, AgCenter regional livestock specialist and coordinator of the trip.

Going to the exposition is a significant accomplishment for 4-H’ers and FFA members.

“The purpose of the trip isn’t winning or losing,” Holmes said. “It’s about the experience of participating in the largest livestock show in North America with fellow exhibitors from Louisiana. It’s also about building a network of acquaintances that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

The trip also provides an excellent opportunity to educate people from northern states about the significance of the Brahman breed and its role in the Southeast, he said.

“Getting ready for such competition takes a lot work, but the real lessons are in the lifelong skills these youth learn through participation with their livestock project,” Holmes said.

“Louisiana 4-H’ers have attended the expo every year since 1974. History of a beef trip goes back to 1946, when Louisiana 4-H’ers attended the Chicago International Livestock Exposition,” Holmes said. “They are consistently recognized at the event for their politeness, knowledge of animals and passion for exhibiting.”

Louisiana is also one of the few states, along with Kentucky and Indiana, where students can complete an internship at the exposition. Interns this year were Briley Richard, of Cameron Parish, and Alex Lovell, of St. Mary Parish.

“These interns are selected each year as winners in the LSU AgCenter Beef Premier Exhibitor contest,” Holmes said.

The following youth attended the exposition with beef cattle:

Coy and Cash Bailey, Vernon Parish; Colby Lingo, West Carroll Parish; Madilyn Taylor, George Adam Faulk, Franklin Parish; Ashlynn Vinson and Kellen McKoin, Tensas Parish; Callie Laird, Claudia Hollis and Daisy Verdin, Claiborne Parish; Kara LeBeouf, Lily Gisclair and Kagen Midkiff, Beauregard Parish; Peyton Bickham and Victoria Dooley, East Feliciana Parish; Katelin Cooper, Lincoln Parish; Jake Britt, Sabine Parish; Kelsey Spencer, Avoyelles Parish; Karlye Crawford, Allen Parish; Tori Doucet, Vermilion Parish; Alyson Fontenot, Evangeline Parish; Tristan Gulotta, Tangipahoa Parish; Ethan Howe, DeSoto Parish; and, Logan Vest and Haydon Guidry, Calcasieu Parish.

The following youth attended the exposition with sheep:

Dalton Arnold, Calcasieu Parish; Alexis Bearden, Reed Bearden, Caroline Dupree, Kalee Wich, Lacy Fox and Riley Lear, Bossier Parish; Katelyn Dowies, Allen Parish; Hannah LeBlanc, Kathryn LeBlanc, Darien Lessigne and Joshua Lessigne, Acadia Parish; Katlyn Mathews, Claiborne Parish; and, Eden and Maci Schexnayder from Ascension Parish.