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Six
months later the Autauga Agribition was born with each of those ideals
in mind. Initially the event began as simply a calf show and Agri-Knowledge
Competition. But over the eight years since its establishment, some
additions have been made to the event. This year’s event continued its
traditions of an outstanding calf show and Agri-Knowledge competition,
but hosted two other agricultural youth opportunities.
"Each
year we’ve tried to add items of interest to exhibitors as well as
cattle producers across the state," Smith said. "Some years
have been more successful than others. One of the most aggressive moves
we’ve made was to add a second species and include a goat show to the
annual event. The cattle grooming competition was added in 2007 and we
feel it is an important addition because it really demonstrates the
exhibitors’ ability to appropriately prepare their calf for the show
ring."
The
Agribition began on Friday night, February 1, with a cattle weigh-in and
the goat show. By 5:00, Autaugaville’s Kirkpatrick Arena was bustling
with young people, their livestock projects and their parents.
After
the cattle were weighed-in and supper had been served, the grooming
competition began. This event, gave steer and heifer exhibitors the
opportunity to show the judge their talent for raising show cattle goes
far beyond the show ring. Calves were entered in the competition as
simply washed and dried. Then competing three-member teams were given
thirty minutes to groom a calf to "show ready." The judge
selects the winners based not only on the quality of the grooming job,
but also on each team member’s involvement. Smith said it was
important the team emphasized the calf’s best traits while downplaying
its weaknesses in order to be successful in this particular competition.
Long
after the weigh-in and grooming competition had been completed, the goat
show was still in full swing. This show has become highly popular and
this year was no exception. With approximately 75 showmen exhibiting 180
meat and dairy goats, the Friday night event didn’t conclude until
after midnight.
Saturday
morning was an early one for those goat showmen who were participating
in the Agri-Knowledge Competition which began at 9 a.m. This event tests
young people’s knowledge of various agricultural facets. Competition
topics included a multiple-choice exam and identification of legumes,
forages, meat cuts and cattle breeds.
Following
the Agri-Knowledge Competition, the steer and heifer show began at 10:30
a.m. This year, the calf show consisted of 24 steers and 66 heifers with
more than 40 showmen participating. The show judge, Todd Schultz of
Georgia, spent five hours narrowing down the competition until the
champion and reserve champion steer and heifer were selected.
The
end of the day marked another successful year for the Autauga Agribition
and Smith hopes there will be many more successful years to come. He
added future Agribitions may grow to include shows for even more
species. But he said one thing is for sure, the focus of the event will
continue to be "developing successful youth."
"Agricultural
events like this one help young people to develop a work ethic, to learn
responsibility, to take pride in the work they’ve done and to develop
lasting friendships," Smith said. "I’ve seen so many
individuals who have come through the show ring and now work for the ag
industry. That’s really the key to this; developing young people to be
successful adults."
Grace
Smith is an associate editor for AFC Cooperative Farming News. |
