By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Youth develop communication skills, responsibility, critical thinking skills and discipline while preparing livestock for statewide competitions each October and February.

The Mississippi State Fair in Jackson each October gives Mississippi 4-Hers an opportunity to compete in a state livestock show. For some youth, the attraction to the State Fair is the rides, the international entertainers or the art exhibits, but many 4-Hers, it is the opportunity to show off their hard work from the preceding year.

Livestock shows host five species of animals for exhibit: beef cattle, dairy cattle, market goats, market hogs and market lambs. Along the way, youth learn life skills.

4-Hers use communication skills to explain to a judge exactly what methods were used to bring their animal to its present size and quality.

"They speak with judges who may ask about their animal and its preparation. Before the show, 4-Hers must maintain communications with 4-H agents and adult leaders who aid them during the year. They also can interact with and learn from peers across the state at shows," said Gale Chrestman, 4-H livestock specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

Youth learn responsibility in preparing these animals for the shows.

"4-Hers are responsible for feeding the animal daily, giving it fresh water and checking its health. This promotes responsibility and discipline. 4-Hers also practice decision-making skills because they must decide which animal to prepare for competition, and such things as the ration to feed their animal," Chrestman said.

Exhibiting livestock also builds sportsmanship. Adult leaders, parents and Extension agents help encourage the 4-Hers to appreciate winning and to lose with grace.

"Our 4-Hers realize they cannot win all shows, and that encourages them to pursue higher standards," Chrestman said.

Some state fair exhibitors will compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up in February, which is the final competition of the show season. The champion market animals from each breed of hogs, sheep and steers are auctioned in the well-respected Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions. Charitable buyers pay exhibitors well above the market price for these animals. Proceeds from the sale go directly to the exhibitors, who often put this money into college savings or invest it back into their livestock project.

All junior livestock show participants are required to complete a 4-H/FFA Ethics Certification every two years. Certification informs Mississippi 4-Hers about ethical practices of showmanship. Both the 4- Her and one parent must take the certification course before they can participate in any Mississippi show.

By involving parents, the 4-H livestock program helps build family-oriented projects, giving parents another opportunity to guide their child's character and moral development.

In 1999, Mississippi had about 7,500 4-Hers active in animal and dairy science projects, which include dairy animals, beef cattle, sheep, swine and horses.