It is important for today’s youth to gain experience in leadership, whether it is within 4-H, in school, or at work. Learning about yourself and how to work well with others are important ways to develop leadership skills. The livestock program area offers many ways for you to get leadership experience that will benefit you and the people around you both now and in the future. Download the PDF above.
Always speak to your horse before approaching or touching it. Some horses are likely to jump and may kick when startled.
Always approach your horse from the front. If the horse is turned away from you, call to it or entice it with a treat to get it to come to you. Never approach your horse directly from the rear. Even in a tie stall, it is possible to approach from an angle at the rear.
Pet a horse by first placing a hand on its shoulder or neck. The touch should be a rubbing action. Don’t “dab” at the end of a horse’s nose.
Showmanship is an area over which you have the most control when exhibiting your beef cattle. In showmanship, you are judged on your ability to control and present an animal to bring out its best characteristics. Advanced planning and hard work are important keys to becoming a good exhibitor.
Mississippi State University Extension Service personnel have a longstanding, proud, and successful history of providing stellar leadership and direction in conducting 4-H livestock and horse shows. This rich heritage and expectation of dedicated service to young people all across our state continues today.
Earning a bachelor of science in the animal and dairy sciences (ADS) equips students to apply their knowledge in a variety of animal science-related jobs. Graduates of ADS can use their knowledge in the selection, breeding, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and management of livestock and companion animals. Furthermore, some professionals may choose to be involved in the marketing, processing, and merchandising of livestock or the growth of scientific knowledge through the pursuit of graduate degrees (MS, PhD, DVM).
Showmanship is one of the most important parts of a 4-H swine project. Showmanship is judged on your ability to effectively exhibit an animal to its best advantage in a competitive show ring environment. Advanced planning and practice at home are keys to gaining your hog’s trust and becoming a good showman. Continued planning, practice, and neat appearance at the show will help you succeed at showing swine.
The 4-H program has existed for more than 100 years in Mississippi. This youth organization helps 4-H’ers become productive and contributing members of society by developing valuable life skills, such as acting, feeling, and thinking on their own. As a result, 4-H youth learn how to accept responsibilities, communicate with others, obtain information to solve problems, make decisions, and work with others.
This publication is written to help you become a skilled judge of the quality of dairy products in a reasonable period of time. This unit includes lessons on the four major dairy products—milk, cheddar cheese, ice cream, and Swiss style strawberry yogurt.
Through the evaluation of dairy products, you will develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for high-quality dairy products. You will become a wise and economical shopper for dairy products, and, after you graduate from high school, you may be able to continue your judging activities in college.
Livestock quality assurance programs are producer-driven and involve all sectors of the industry, from producers to consumers. These programs are designed to help in the production of a healthy, wholesome, and high-quality product that is free from defects such as injection-site lesions and bruises. Consumers care a great deal about the safety of the food they eat. Youth producers in the 4-H and FFA programs must do all they can to ensure the safety and quality of the animals they take to the show ring.