By Jasmine Gill
Texas culture at face value can be summarized in three words: tradition, family, and agriculture. The agricultural roots of Texas A&M University located in the heart of the Brazos Valley to the hardworking ranchers and farmers of Burleson and Brazos County show how committed the Brazos Valley is to this tradition of honest work and diligence. The Brazos County Youth Livestock Association is dedicated to passing on a rich part of this culture to future generations of Texans through their Youth Livestock Show.
“The Livestock Show is where kids involved in Brazos County 4-H or the local FFA programs can come and exhibit their projects and compete for awards,” says Barry Bouse, president of the Brazos County Youth Livestock Show. “If the student wins their category, they get to sell their project at the premium auction.”
Children in 4-H can start competing in the Youth Livestock Show as early as third grade and go through grade 12. Students in FFA can start competing from grades nine through 12. Each year, about 300 to 350 exhibitors compete against each other to be able to have their project sold at the premium auction. Projects in the Youth Livestock Show are not only in livestock, but also consumer science and agricultural mechanics.
Agriculture is not only important to Texas, but also the United States as a whole. It is estimated that one out of every five people living in the United States are working in jobs related to agriculture, according to Bouse. Through participating and competing in the Youth Livestock Show, exhibitors can open up new career opportunities and pathways they initially did not have.
“The name [Livestock Show] does not represent everything,” says Bouse. “We also have food and consumer science which covers anything from photography to arts and crafts, horticulture, baked and canned goods, and even woodworking and metalworking projects.”
The 62nd Annual Brazos County Youth Livestock Show will start on Saturday, March 17, with the Queen’s Dance featuring the Bellamy Brothers, according to Bouse. Competitions will run until Friday, March 23, with the premium auction to be held at 6 pm on Saturday, March 24.
“Participating in the livestock show is a fulfilling educational experience,” says Bouse. “It teaches the exhibitors respect, responsibility, determination, and the value of hard work. It provides them with the skill set and knowledge for possible career path opportunities.”
Brazos County YLS Events
Saturday, March 17 Queen’s Dance
Sunday, March 18 Arrival of Commercial Steers
Tuesday, March 20 Commercial Steer Premium Sale Commercial Steer Breakfast and Awards at the Exposition Complex Judging of Consumer Science Division Viewing of Consumer Science Entries and Bake Sale Consumer Science Awards Presentation
Wednesday, March 21 Market Rabbit Judging and Awards Market Lamb Show Market Goat Show
Thursday, March 22 Judging of Ag Mechanics and Awards Ag-you-cation – open to public Viewing of Consumer Science Entries and Bake Sale Market Swine Show Swine Pee Wee Showmanship
Friday, March 23 Judging of Market Turkeys Judging of Market Broilers Heifer Show Judging of Market Steers
Saturday, March 24 Premium Sale Orientation Premium Auction
