Kirksey Bell Hayes, Grace Christian Academy 4-H’er, exhibited the Reserve Champion Charolais Heifer at the 2023 Georgia Junior Beef Futurity.
The new 2023 show season for youth livestock projects began in July with the Georgia Junior Beef Futurity and the Heartbeat of the South show in Perry, Georgia at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Show opportunities continued throughout the state this summer. Preparing livestock for exhibition involves long hours of hard work with many early mornings and late nights in order to provide the care and training the animals require. 4-H livestock exhibitors spend a large portion of their summer months feeding, exercising and practicing with their animals to insure that the animals look and perform well.
The determination and work ethic of the Decatur County 4-H Showteam paid off as members found success at many shows this summer. These successes included showmanship titles, class wins, and division wins. Decatur County 4-H lamb exhibitors are: Levi Peralta, Fatima Peralta, Charlie Griffin, Heidi Griffin, Scott Ross Hayes, and Kirksey Bell Hayes. Kirksey Bell Hayes exhibited cattle and Maci Lynn exhibited swine at the summer shows.
Maci Lynn, Grace Christian Academy 4-H’er, exhibits her swine project at the Georgia Young Farmers Association Show.
Kirksey Bell Hayes exhibited the Reserve Champion Charolais Heifer, placed 1st in class, and placed 5th in 4th grade showmanship at the 2023 Georgia Junior Beef Futurity. Heidi Griffin was named Champion 3rd grade showman in the Summer Heat Showdown Lamb Show and exhibited the Champion Lightweight Blackface Division Lamb. Heidi also exhibited the Champion Lightweight Blackface in the Georgia Club Lamb Association Futurity.
Heidi Griffin, Hutto Middle School 4-H’er, exhibits the Lightweight Blackface Champion at the Heartbeat of the South Market Lamb Shows.
Exhibiting lambs at the Southern Premier Livestock EXPO in Perry were Levi Peralta, Fatima Peralta, and Scott Ross Hayes. Levi Peralta placed 5th in 2nd grade showmanship and Fatima Peralta placed 5th in 10th grade showmanship. Scott Ross Hayes exhibited the Champion Natural Lamb at the Southern Premier Livestock EXPO.
Scott Ross Hayes, Grace Christian Academy 4-H’er, exhibited the Champion Natural Lamb at the 2023 Southern Premier Livestock EXPO.
The Georgia Young Farmers Association hosts a livestock show for Georgia exhibitors of all livestock species each summer at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Maci Lynn exhibited swine and she placed 5th in 4th grade showmanship and 5th in class. Fatima Peralta placed 7th in 10th grade lamb showmanship and 6th in market lamb class. Levi Peralta placed 4th in 2nd grade lamb showmanship and 6th in market lamb class. Scott Ross Hayes was named Champion 7th grade lamb showman and placed 3rd in market lamb class. Kirksey Bell Hayes was named Champion 4th grade lamb showman and placed 2nd in market lamb class.
Levi Peralta, Decatur County 4-H’er, exhibits his lamb project at the Georgia Young Farmers Association Show.
Decatur County Showteam members will be exhibiting livestock as part of the 2023 Georgia National Fair, October 5-15, 2023. Livestock shows can be viewed livestream through Walton Webcasting by visiting www.georgianationalfair.com.
The mission of the Georgia 4-H and FFA youth livestock program is to provide opportunities to develop life skills and enhance knowledge in an ethical manner for our youth.
