The Southern University Ag Center continues the Livestock Show Legacy of 1890 Institutions
For 79 years, the Southern University Ag Center has continued the tradition of holding a Livestock Show for the youth of Louisiana. Making Southern University the only 1890 Land-Grant Institution to still hold this time-honored tradition.
It was established in 1943 as a poultry show by J.W. Fisher, director of the College of Agriculture and Tom J. Jordan, state cooperative extension agent, along with a group of statewide vocational agricultural teachers, agricultural extension workers, and community leaders.
A dairy calf project was added in the second year and the show’s name was changed to the State Poultry and Dairy Show with youth exhibitors (participants) from limited-resource families.
“Being around for 79 years, we have seen changes and trends but our support for the youth of Louisiana is what keeps us moving forward,” said Harold Mellieon, Jr., Ph.D., Director of Livestock Programs at the SU Ag Center and Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences. “It’ s great to see 3rd or 4th generation exhibitors coming every year and having a family tradition of competing and learning with others across the state,” added Mellieon.
In 2020, the show was held virtually due to COVID-19. This year, young farmers from throughout Lousiana will converge on the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena with hopes of having their prized winning animals named champion during the Southern University Ag Center’s 79th Annual Livestock and Poultry Show, held Feb. 24-26, 2022.
The event provides an opportunity for youth to showcase their hard work in raising and caring for various breeds of cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, goats, and poultry. Winners will receive premiums, ribbons, rosettes, and trophy belt buckles.
The Livestock Show cultivates the development of responsibility, dedication, decision-making, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills to the youth who prepare year-round for competitions, through the possession and personal care of a live animal project.
For additional information on the Southern University Ag Center’s 79th Annual Livestock Show, visit https://bit.ly/3Bodo8A.