Youth Livestock Clinic July 15 at Monticello

MONTICELLO, Ark. - Aside from the practicality of raising animals for income or food, there's also the thrill of stepping into the show ring with a prized animal and winning accolades. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a free Livestock 101 Clinic on July 15 for youth interested in learning to show cattle, sheep, market goats, dairy goats, sheep, swine, rabbits and poultry. The clinic will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Drew County Fairgrounds, Hwy. 35 East in Monticello. Registration is due by June 30 and available at https://bit .ly/livestock-clinic. Youth will learn the basics of prepping their animal for show competition and get hands-on help with showing their respective species and tack identification. The event also includes lunch for participants and a mock showmanship. Overnight stalling for livestock and hotel information is also available for participants who will be commuting to southeast Arkansas for the event. "This is mainly a beginners' clinic," Drew County Extension intern Rayvin Callaway said. "There will be some advanced material, but most everything will be geared toward kids new to the show ring." Callaway, 21, who is double majoring in animal science and plant and soil science at the University of Arkansas at Monticello grew up showing livestock. She organized the livestock clinic last summer when she interned with the Bradley County Extension Office. This summer, she is interning with Drew County Extension, and she knew she wanted to offer the clinic again. "Showing livestock teaches responsibility, confidence, team building, the importance of researching their specific animal and so much more," Callaway said. New this year is a livestock clinic for parents, who will learn about feed and feedstuffs as well as vaccinations and health for each species. Some of the speakers include: • Rocky Lindsey, associate professor of animal sci...