Table of Contents:
Cover
1
Table of Contents
2
Why Show a Livestock Animal
3
Choosing an animal
4
Rules and Responsibilities
5-7
Shows
8
Schedule
9
Supplies / Vendors
10
*Enclosures:
-Responsibilities Acknowledgement Form
-Clinic flyer
-Healthcheck form
-Effingham Fair Entry Form
-GA National Fair Entry Form
-Recordbook for your species
Why Show a Livestock Animal?
Whether you choose to show a goat, heifer, hog or steer, there are a multitude of benefits of raising
and showing livestock animals.
 Very few FFA livestock projects are economically profitable. However, neither are paying for
band lessons, taking them to summer recreation programs, buying them bicycles and paying
for other youth activities. But if a parent's goal is to invest in their child's develop as a person,
learn responsibility, set goals and gain knowledge of livestock production, then FFA livestock
projects are profitable investments in their child's future.
 Keeping livestock shows in proper perspective is important. They are not cow shows, swine
shows or goat shows, they are " Kid Shows ! " The animal is simply the ticket for the
youngster to participate.
Following are " Life Skills " that FFA livestock project students gain:
 How to get along with people. A large number of people in society quit or lose their jobs
because they cannot get along with others. FFA students who show livestock are around
people they have never met but have similar interests. They learn to communicate with these
people.
 Sportsmanship. At a livestock show, there is only one Grand Champion. However, there are
many winners. FFA students who show livestock for any period of time usually experience
the extreme high feeling of an exceptional effort and the extreme disappointment of a project
that didn't turn out as well as was expected. Normally, win or lose, the competitors in the
show ring (the FFA students) can be seen after the show talking and enjoying life together.
 Responsibility. Feeding and daily chores in a FFA livestock project teach responsibility. Top
feeders follow the time clock in their daily efforts. This is a good habit to start at a young age
and may reap youngster’s substantial benefits in a career later in their lives.
 Attend to details. Most young people take care of major items in a FFA livestock project like
fencing, feeding, etc. However many times it's the little things that make a different: keeping
water tanks and feed troughs clean, working on grooming and showmanship several months
before the show, keeping pens clean and close observation for sickness and disease. Paying
attention to details is beneficial in almost everything we do in life.
 Decision making. Decision making is never easy at any point in our lives. FFA livestock
projects require several key decisions be made: selection of project animals, selection of
feeding method, care and management decisions, fitting and grooming techniques, etc.
 Goal setting. For every successful FFA livestock project, there is usually a good plan. Most
details and plans for the project on selection, feeding and management of the project have
been planned well in advance. Goal setting is important for everyone regardless of future
endeavors. Are FFA livestock projects successful? We may hear some negative things about
them but these projects are a long way ahead of whatever is in second place in helping teach
our young people to adjust to life. Next time you are at a livestock show, study the kids
instead of the animals. You will notice that most classes have several winners, not just the one
standing in first place.
Showing livestock is a very rewarding experience. It’s hard to list the many benefits obtained
from participating on our livestock show team. The best advice: talk to students who have raised
and shown animals before and find out about their experiences!
Choosing an animal
When deciding whether to show a goat, a hog, a heifer, or a steer, there are several
things to keep in mind:
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How much room does the animal require?
How much feed will it eat?
How much time can I devote to training?
What equipment is necessary?
How long is the show season?
Can I borrow the animal or do I have to buy it? How much will it cost?
If you are unsure about the answers to some of these questions, talk to your parents
about the resources available to you and then to your advisor about which livestock
animal is best for you. There are several resources that you can use to learn more
about showing livestock:
 Iowa State University Extension webpage:
www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/projects/livestock
 SEMS FFA Website: www.effinghamschools.com, choose school site: South
Effingham Middle school, then under clubs, click on FFA
 GA Agriculture Education website: www.gaaged.org
 GA 4H livestock website:
http://georgia4h.org/livestock/state_livestock_show.htm
 Each fall, the FFA Advisors host a goat clinic and a heifer/steer clinic to help
prepare you for the upcoming shows
 The advisors have several videos on showmanship, care and feeding, and
fitting and grooming animals for show which are available to you to borrow
Rules and Responsibilities
Advisor: As your advisors, we are dedicated to your success, the success of the livestock
team, and the welfare of the animals that represent our team. As your advisors, we will
 Provide advice when possible in the selection of show animals, feed, grooming
equipment, and other necessary purchases
 Advise students and parents concerning proper feeding and housing for animals
 Provide instruction and recommendations to help students properly groom animals
for show, train their animals prior to show, learn animal anatomy and facts
necessary for showmanship, and exhibit their animals successfully in the show ring
 Provide students with entry forms for all school sponsored livestock shows
 Plan and conduct health checks for livestock animals (1 first semester, 1 second
semester)
 Provide SAE Recordbooks to students. Assist students with recordbook
completion.
 Tag animals for state shows (goats-fall, hogs, steers, heifers-spring)
 Teach YPQA class for hog exhibitors attending state show in Feb.
 Ensure that all students who are competing have followed the rules and guidelines
set forth in this manual
o The Agriculture teachers reserve the right to dismiss any student from the
Livestock Show team based on eligibility, behavior, or improper care of
animal
Students: As members of the FFA Livestock Show Team, students will conduct
themselves in a way that brings pride to our team:
 Treat animals ethically at home, in the barn, and in the show ring
 Attend FFA scheduled health checks or attain own health papers for your animal
prior to first show of each season (fall and spring)
 Submit entry forms for shows by due date (see Show Schedule)
 Read and follow all show rules and regulations for each show in which you
compete
 Follow all school and county student rules at all FFA show team events including
anytime the student exhibits their animal as a representative of FFA
 Follow all rules and regulations as set forth in this manual
 Work with fellow show team members and advisors to maintain cleanliness in the
livestock trailer, barns, and other work areas
 Arrive on time to all shows and team meetings, remain in the areas designated by
the advisors, and leave only when dismissed by the advisor
 Follow all instructions from any county FFA advisor, show coordinator, or judge
 Avoid cursing, arguing, and horseplay in the barns and show ring
 Wear appropriate show clothing including: jeans or khakis pressed and in good
condition, collared shirt, and boots
 Assist fellow show team members before, during, and after show
 Complete and submit to your Ag. Teacher SAE Recordbooks by the following
deadlines (Students may count this as their SAE project if they are enrolled in an
Ag. Class):
 Hog exhibitors who are competing in Feb. state show: attend YPQA training class
(if unable to attend, make arrangements with Ag. Teacher to view YPQA
powerpoint)
 Remain eligible with school to participate in extracurricular activities (attendance,
grades, discipline)
 Obtain supplies necessary to show your animal (see Supplies)
 Display a positive attitude and good sportsmanship at any time you represent the
FFA Livestock Show Team
Parent Responsibilities: To help promote teamwork, good showmanship, and success,
your assistance as a parent of the livestock show team is very important and valued.
Please help us and:
 Review show team guidelines, show rules, and school rules with your child
frequently.
 Encourage your child to accurately complete and turn in all registration paperwork
and other required forms, including recordbooks, on time.
 Avoid use of tobacco, alcohol, and profanity at all FFA livestock events.
 Support the decisions and instructions given by FFA advisors, show judges, and
other officials at all FFA and livestock events.
 Provide positive support of your child and the entire FFA livestock team.
Parent and Students: To ensure the safety, health, and show readiness of their animals,
students and parents of the FFA Livestock Team will:
 Find and purchase the livestock animal(s) you wish to show by required deadline
(see show schedule for deadlines of different species)
 Provide proper shelter and pen for animal
 Provide adequate feed and water for animal at all times
 Transport or arrange transportation for livestock animals to health checks, show
clinics, and livestock competitions
 Ensure livestock animals are healthy by providing vaccinations, de-worming on
schedule, and all other healthcare, including emergency care that may require
veterinarian assistance.
 Monitor animal weight gain and adjust feed accordingly to ensure animals will be
at market weight in time for show (market weights are listed in show rules for each
show)
 Submit all registration forms and other important documents on or before the
deadline set by the FFA advisors
 Review all show rules, age and weight guidelines, registration deadlines, check-in
information, health requirements, and other pertinent information.
 Arrange for the sale of animal, privately and ethically slaughter animal, or continue
to care for animal after the livestock animal exceeds show weight or age.
Other Key Rules/Responsibilities:
1. Students are responsible for caring for and monitoring their show animals on a
daily basis. Advisors have the right to deny student’s participation in FFA livestock
shows if their animal is obviously underweight, underfed, in poor health, or in poor
physical or mental condition that diminishes their show appeal, threatens the health
of other animals, threatens their animal’s health, or brings discredit to our
organization.
2. Parents may be asked to leave school or county property or any FFA sponsored
event for misconduct, aggressive behavior, or any behavior that brings discredit to
our organization.
3. Students who choose to attend livestock shows outside of the designated school
shows must follow all school, FFA, and show team guidelines as they still represent
our organization.
4. It is extremely important to understand that the health and welfare of your animal is
your responsibility and the advisor will in no way be liable for your animal’s
health, emergency care, housing, transportation, slaughter, etc.
By working together as a team, caring for the health and welfare of your animals, and
dedicating your time to practicing, studying, and grooming for exhibitions, the FFA
Livestock Team is sure to have a smooth and successful year!
Supplies
*Required Supplies:
All students: boots, jeans, belt, and button-down collared shirt for show ring
Water bucket and feed bucket
shampoo, sponges, brushes for washing and cleaning animal
old towels for general cleaning purposes
Goat exhibitors: lead and chain, brush, rope halter
Hog exhibitors: show whip or stick, brush
Heifer/steer exhibitors: show comb, leather halter, rope halter, show stick, neck rope
*Other supplies you may wish to have:
Hose, baby powder, hoof dressing (goats, heifers, steers), clip for exhibitor number (or
safety pins)
Vendors:
B & S Farm Supply – Springfield
Tractor Supply - Rincon
Webb’s Farm Service – Springfield
Lovett’s Trading Post – Rincon
Sullivan Show Supplies: www.sullivansupply.com
Nasco Farm & Livestock: http://www.enasco.com/farmandranch/
Showstoppers: http://www.vittetoe.com/showstopper/showpig.htm