It was a cool, cloudy day in Coushatta at the livestock show barn, but that did not dampen the spirits of the Natchitoches Parish 4-H members who were ready to kick off 2021 and show off their livestock projects. Organized by Extension Agents, Randall Mallette and Pam Pearce the event featured eight youth showcasing three species of animals: hogs, goats and beef. Serving as judge for the day was Dr. Ashley Edwards, Livestock Agent for the Northern Region of Louisiana.
The morning started with the showmanship competition. The judge was tasked with selecting the 4-H’er who best handled and presented their animal.
Showmanship placings were as follows:
Hogs
Champion: Cole Johnson
Reserve Champion: Cooper Johnson
Goats
*Senior division: first place – Cooper Johnson
second place – Cole Johnson
third place – Madeline Mitchell
*Intermediate division: first place – Addison Ivy
second place – Taylor Allen
Champion: Cooper Johnson
Reserve Champion: Addison Ivy
Beef
*Senior division: first place – Layton Parks
*Intermediate division: first place – Tatum Roberts
*Junior division: first place – Bayla Procell
Champion: Bayla Procell
Reserve Champion: Tatum Roberts
Following the showmanship competition, the youth then exhibited each of their animals by species and breed. According to Mallette, total of 26 animals were shown, representing numerous hours of work and care to get ready for this show. “It was a great day for our youth to be able to exhibit their projects. They are preparing for the district show that will be February 5”, said Mallette. Assisting as ring-steward was Travis Rachal, a member of the Natchitoches 4-H Junior Leaders.
Placings that were awarded are listed below by each participant.
Taylor Allen:
*First place Pygmy Doe, in 3 separate classes
*Champion Pygmy Doe
*Reserve Champion Pygmy Doe
Addison Ivy:
*First place Full Blood Boer
*Reserve Champion Full Blood Boer
*First place Percentage Boer
*Second place Percentage Boer
*Reserve Champion Percentage Boer
Cole Johnson:
*First place Market Hog in 2 classes
*Champion Market Hog
*Reserve Champion Market Hog
*Second place Market Goat
Cooper Johnson:
*Second place Market Hog in 2 classes
*First place Market Goat in 2 classes
*Champion Market Goat
*Reserve Champion Market Goat
Madeline Mitchell:
*First place Full Blood Boer
*Champion Full Blood Boer
*First place Percentage Boer
*Champion Percentage Boer
*First place Commercial Doe
*Champion Commercial Doe
*First place Myotonic Doe
*Champion Myotonic Doe
*Supreme Breeding Goat Champion
Layton Parks:
*First place Commercial Heifer
*Champion Commercial Heifer
*First place Brahman Bull
*Champion Brahman Bull
*First place Hereford Heifer
*Champion Herford Heifer
*First place early junior yearling Brangus heifer
Bayla Procell:|
*First place early summer yearling Brangus heifer
*Reserve Champion Brangus heifer
Tatum Roberts:
*First place early junior Brangus heifer calf
*Champion Brangus heifer
*Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer
*First place Brangus bull
*Champion Brangus bull
*Supreme Champion Bull
The Natchitoches Parish 4-H livestock participants would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Red River Parish Police Jury and Nancy Nettles for the use of the facility and Natchitoches Farm Bureau for the sponsorship. Additionally, thank you to Tractor Supply, Raisin’ Canes and Dairy Queen for the kind donations.
Submitted by: Tatum Roberts
Natchitoches Parish Livestock Club Reporter
So true! 4-H it’s one of the best programs in our country for our youth of all ages and backgrounds. For those of you who do not know, the 4 H’s are head, heart, hands and health.
Hopefully Natchitoches can find a place where the Natchitoches youth can have their exhibits locally.
Livestock projects are such a great way for youth to learn responsibility as well as economics. We showed dairy cattle growing up in DeSoto Parish in the late 60’s and early 70’s and made many lifelong friends and memories. It would be great if our local Civic leaders could see the value on these types of activities for our youth. It is a shame that the Natchitoches Parish Livestock show had to be held in another parish. We can have walking tracks and dog parks but no venue for our youth livestock activities? Natchitoches, city and parish officials, please support our youth as they are our future.