La. youths named champions at LSU AgCenter Livestock Show

GONZALES – Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 79th Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held Feb.8-15 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
To qualify for the state show, competitors had to first participate in parish and district livestock shows across Louisiana. At the state show,1,702 youths exhibited 1,686 breeding animals,1,460 market animals, 139 pens of broilers and 662 exhibition birds, according to LSU AgCenter Livestock Show manager Dwayne Nunez.
Although the event showcases examples of the state’s important livestock industries, LSU AgCenter administrators say it is much more than that.
“This show is much more about recognizing champion young people than it is about naming champion animals,” said Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. “Every youngster who participated in this show is a champion because of the dedication, skills and knowledge they’ve demonstrated by caring for their animals.”
The livestock show demonstrates the result of years of hard work on the part of the FFA members, Nunez said. “But we also see the support of parents, teachers, volunteer leaders and others who helped them along the way,” he said.
In addition to breed and species champions, the livestock show also designates Supreme Champions for breeding animals in each livestock category.
The winners this year are:
Supreme Champion Beef Bull – Taylor Faul, Acadia 4-H.
Following is a list of additional winners in various livestock categories and their home parishes and 4‑H. or FFA affiliation:
Exhibition Poultry
Best Bird of the Show – Joshua Briley, Evangeline 4‑H.
Champion Bantam – Joshua Briley, Evangeline 4‑H.
Best Patterned Bantam Male – Joshua Briley, Evangeline 4‑H.
Champion All Other Comb Clean Leg – Joshua Briley, Evangeline 4‑H.
Reserve Champion All Other Comb Clean Leg – Joshua Briley, Evangeline 4‑H.
Champion Louisiana-bred Any Other Breed Buck – Jade McFarlain, Acadia 4‑H.
Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Any Other Breed Doe – Jase Marcantel, Evangeline 4‑H.
Champion Louisiana-bred Any Other Breed – Robert Bruchlaus, Allen/Kinder FFA.
Breeding Sheep
Champion and Champion Louisiana-bred Hampshire Ram – James Thibodaux, St. Landry 4‑H.
Champion Hampshire Ewe – James Thibodaux, St. Landry 4‑H.
Champion and Champion Louisiana-bred Braford Heifer – Emily Deshotel, Evangeline 4‑H.
Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Brahman Bull – Wesley Thibodeaux, Acadia 4‑H.
Champion Brangus Bull – Taylor Faul, Acadia 4‑H.
Champion and Champion Louisiana-bred Brangus Heifer – Taylor Faul, Acadia 4‑H.
Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Brangus Heifer – Taylor Faul, Acadia 4‑H.
Reserve Champion and Champion Louisiana-bred Charolais Bull – Gavin Ortego, St. Landry 4‑H.
Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Red Brahman Heifer – Leah Thibodeaux, Acadia 4‑H.

Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Any Other Breed, Non-Brahman Influence, Bull – Caleb Morgan, Acadia 4‑H.
Reserve Champion Louisiana-bred Ayrshire – Bailey Borill, Acadia 4‑H.
Commercial Dairy
Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer – Kelsey Corder, Acadia 4‑H.