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March 5, 2018
UA livestock team return as reserve champions from Dixie National Livestock Show
By the U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Livestock team earns reserve championship at Dixie National
- Team wins Continental Division
- McFarland places 9th in high individual overall
(380 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The eight-member University of Arkansas Livestock Judging team won overall reserve championship team honors at the Dixie National Livestock Show, the largest pro rodeo east of the Mississippi.
In the Dixie National Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest, contestants from across the nation judged 12 classes of cattle and gave eight sets of oral reasons to defend their placings. Arkansas faced 14 other college teams, with Oklahoma State earning overall champion honors, while Texas A&M placed third.
Bryan Kutz, instructor-Animal Science, with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the students’ high performances gelledin a short time. He started coaching the team in December; they earned their reserve championship Feb.10.
“I am extremely proud of the team,” Kutz said. “It’s nice when all the team members come together and place consistently with each other. They all contributed and realized their potential. I hope this will help boost confidence going forward to future competitions.”
Besides being named the Reserve Champion Team Overall, Arkansas was first place in the Continental Division, second in the Steer and English cattle division, third in reasons and fourth in the Brahman Division.
Michael McFarland of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, led the team, winning ninth high individual overall. McFarland was also second in Continental and fourth in English. Bailey Corwine of Pomona, Kansas; was fifth in steers and eighth in Continental.Zane Blubaugh of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, was 10th overall and ninth in Brahman. Ted Chambers of LaCygne, Kansas, was seventh in English. Jordan Volkman of Bourbon, Missouri, was fifth in Continental and Lacy Barrett of Gravette, Arkansas, was eight in the Steers class.
Team roster consists of Blubaugh, Barrett, McFarland, Corwine, Volkman, Chambers, Paul Shanks of Belle, Missouri; and Baxter Harrod of Hermitage, Arkansas.
Arkansas’ McClung Honored
The Dixie National Show recognized the late Adam McClung, former executive vice president of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s’ Association and a major supporter of the event, by giving a memorial award in his name to the high point individual. McClung graduated from Greenbrier High and went to Eastern Oklahoma State College and Oklahoma State University on livestock judging scholarships.
“Competing on the livestock judging team builds life skills like effective communication, confidence, decision making skills and self-motivation that are extremely important with regards to career opportunities upon graduation,” Kutz said.
To learn more about livestock judging, contact Kutz at , or contact your county extension agent to learn more about 4-H Youth livestock activities.
About the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
2018 marked the 53rd Annual Dixie Livestock Show and Rodeo. The 24-day event is the site of the largest junior market livestock show in Mississippi and is the largest professional rodeo east of the Mississippi River.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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