Recap of the SU Ag Center’s 83rd Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show
Congratulations to the 2026 Livestock Show winners!
Baton Rouge, La. – Nearly 150 youth exhibitors from throughout Louisiana gathered at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena from February 26 – February 28, 2026 for the Southern University Ag Center’s 83rd Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show.
The exhibitors showed around 200 breeds of cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, goats, and poultry during the event. The winners took home cash prizes, premiums, banners, ribbons, rosettes, and trophy belt buckles.
Aliyah Milburn, a 17-year-old exhibitor from Washington, La. was one of those winners, placing Grand Champion in the Commercial Dairy category.
Milburn has been showing cows for about four years and previously showed goats at the SU Ag Center's annual Livestock Show.
"Goats were really fun, but my mom showed cows when she was younger and that inspired use to show cows," she stated.
Milburn went on to saw that she has learn responsibilty from showing animals at the Livestock Show.
"It takes so much dedication, work, effort, and vigor to produce the quality cows that we show, said Milburn. "Responsiblity is a major aspect that I have learned throughout my whole carreer of showing animals," she expressed.
In addition to the annual show, the Ag Center held several events leading up to the annual livestock show.
Boots and Bling Affair
The 4th Annual Boots & Bling Affair was held on January 31, at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. More than 1,160 attendees were entertained by zydeco accordionist and singer, Chris Ardoin. The event raised $10,000 for the SU College of Ag and the SU Ag Center’s Pathways Scholarship Fundand Stockman Success Grant. The Non-Stop Riders; Muse 3 Farms; Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Southern University System Interim President and Chancellor of the SU Ag Center; and Tony Clayton, Chairman of the Southern University System Board of Supervisors, each donated $1,000 to the Livestock Program. Past scholarship recipients Sydney Marshall, Catilyn Johnson, and Ty Sams were also recognized during the event.
LivestockAppreciation Luncheon
Individuals who have made an impact on the Livestock and Poultry Show were honored during the Livestock Appreciation Luncheon on February 22 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena Multi-Purpose Building. The 2026 Trail Blazer Award Honorees were Odis S. Hill, Jason McCray, The Clyde Decuir Family, and Muse 3 Farms.
Odis S. Hill is a retired SU Ag Center Assistant Area Specialist for Morehouse Parish in the Agriculture and Natural Research Unit. He dedicated many years of service to agriculture and the farming community. Throughout his career, he wasa strong advocate for small farmers in Morehouse Parish and the surrounding areas. Hill faithfully served as a ring man in the beef show ring and played a vital role in supporting youth livestock exhibitors and strengthening agricultural education in the region.
Jason McCray, a retired agriculture teacher from West Feliciana Parish, has been alongtime supporter of youth livestock programs. For many years, he brought students to participate in the show and was instrumental in encouraging involvement in the National FFA Organization, particularly helping students attend the Area IV FFA Convention. McCray has also conducted several educational clinics, helping prepare students for success both in and out of the show ring.
The Clyde Decuir Family holds a special place in the history of the Southern University Livestock Program as the first family to process animals for theshow. Their legacy of service and dedication continues today, as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren remain actively involved with the Southern University Livestock Program, demonstrating a true multi-generational commitment to agriculture.
Muse 3 Farms is a family-operated farm that has consistently supported the Southern University Livestock Program. The brothers of Muse 3 Farms are currently active participants in the show loan program, working closely with students in St. Helena Parish. Their ongoing mentorship and support helps ensure students have access to quality livestock and meaningful agricultural experiences.
The Southern University Ag Center extends a heart-felt thank you to each honoree for their years of service and dedication to the growth of the Southern University Ag Center’s annual State Livestock and Poultry Show.
Livestock Give Day
The 4th AnnualLivestock Give Day was held on February 25. Eighty-three individuals were askedto give $83 in honor of the Livestock Show’s 83rd anniversary. Fundsraised during the event will support the SU Ag Center and College of Ag’sPathways Scholarship Fund and the Stockman Success Grant.
As an addition to Give Day, a virtual roundtable discussion on the legacy and impact of the Livestock Show was streamed on social media platforms. The panelists for the roundtable discussion were retired Lt. General Russell Honoré, representatives from Muse 3 Farms, Zanetta Augustine, Assistant Specialist for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the SU Ag Center, and Mia English, a senior SU College of Ag student majoring in Animal Science. Pathway Scholarship recipients, Sydney Marshall and Caitlyn Johnson served as moderators during the discussion.
The Educational Ag Expo
Approximately 1,000 students from East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and surrounding areas participated in the SU Ag Center’s Educational Ag Expo on February 25. The students visited nearly 30 interactive exhibits that included ATV and tractor safety, a mechanical bull, a petting zoo, cow milking, train rides, information on community policing, hands-on gardening, drones, agricultural displays, and a mini farmers market.
The event, which was held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena Multi-Purpose Building and the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, introduced students to the offerings in the College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences (CAHES), the programs and services available in the SU Ag Center, and the many career opportunities available in the field of Agriculture.
Friday Night with the Stars Old Fashion Decorating Contest
The Friday Night with the Stars Old Fashion Decorating Contest was held on February 27 in the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. This event is held to allow the exhibitors to have fun with their animals one last time before the Junior Auction on Saturday morning.
Awards Program and Junior Auction
An awards program was held on February 28 at theMaurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena with the Junior Auction immediately following. Congratulations to the following 2026 winners.
Commercial Dairy Overall
Grand Champion
Aliyah Milburn, St. Landry Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Georgia Knight, East Baton Rouge Parish
Registered Dairy Overall
Grand Champion
Averi Thibodeaux, Jefferson Davis Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Brilynn Pritchett, Winn Parish
Dairy Showman Overall
Grand Champion
Georgia Knight, East Baton Rouge Parish
Reserve Champion
Bacey Pritchett, Winn Parish
Market Lamb Overall
Grand Champion
Reece Johnson, Jackson Parish
Reserve Champion
Major Ursery, Jefferson Davis Parish
Louisiana Bred Lamb Champion Overall
Louisiana Bred Grand Champion
Major Ursery, Jefferson Davis Parish
Louisiana Bred Reserve Champion
Gracie Bourgeois, Jackson Parish
Lamb Showmanship
Grand Champion Showman
Ashlynn Hayes, Natchitoches Parish
Reserve Champion Showman
Reece Johnson, Jackson Parish
Goats Overall
Grand Champion
Jermaine Pitts, Jr., Tangipahoa Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Lenora Brynn Barnes, Natchitoches Parish
Louisiana Bred Goat Champion Overall
Louisiana Bred Grand Champion
Jermaine Pitts, Jr., Tangipahoa Parish
Louisiana Bred Reserve Champion
Landen Cubley, DeSoto Parish
Goat Showmanship
Grand Champion
Avery Wilson, Claiborne Parish
Reserve Champion
Jermaine Pitts, Jr. Tangipahoa Parish
Market Hog Overall
Grand Champion
Braxton Dicharry, St. James Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Mykenzye Beasley, Sabine Parish
Hog Showmanship
Grand Champion Showmanship
Ava Louviere, Iberia Parish
Reserve Grand Champion Showmanship
Jude Begnaud, Winn Parish
Beef Showmanship
Grand Champion Showmanship
Corbin Miller, Sabine Parish
Reserve Grand Champion Showmanship
Anthony Peach, Caddo Parish
Market Steers Overall
Grand Champion Market Steer
Livi Bearb, Acadia Parish
Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer
Aubree South, Madison Parish
Registered Beef Non-Brahman Heifers Overall
Grand Champion
Anna Morris, Catahoula Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Hunter Patton, Caddo Parish
Registered Beef Brahman Heifers Overall
Grand Champion
Cutter Kelley, Vernon Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Landry Airhart, Sabine Parish
Registered Beef Non-Brahman Bull Overall
Grand Champion
Olivia Ainsworth, Catahoula Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Anna Morris, Catahoula Parish
Registered Beef Brahman Bull Overall
Grand Champion
Ayden Feierabend, East Feliciana Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Sally Kate Keiffer, Jackson Parish
Commercial Heifers Overall
Grand Champion
Anthony Peace, Caddo Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Mykasha Dyson, Tangipahoa Parish
Broiler Overall
Grand Champion
Gabriel Johnson, Desoto Parish
Reserve Grand Champion
Sawyer Wilson, Claiborne Parish
Broiler Premier Exhibitor
Grand Champion Premier Exhibitor
Luke Padgett, Claiborne Parish
Reserve Champion Premier Exhibitor
Aubrey Tullier, West Feliciana Parish
