09/18/09

A group of Hagerman high school students have qualified for National Competition for Livestock Judging.

A team of Hagerman high school students have a lot of learning to do before they go to national competition in Colorado the beginning of next year, for the Western National Livestock Judging Contest.

After taking first at state this year, the team has a lot of practicing to do for nationals.

"Which includes going to ranches or farms, and the evaluation of cattle, swine, sheer, and goats, as well as that, we've worked extremely hard preparing the students to give a set of oral reasons," 4-H Leader Daniel Knapp says.

It's a combination of technical skills through the judging of livestock, and the skills of communication. For many students, this opportunity can prepare them for the future.

Knapp also says, "It really prepares them with internship and future career opportunities in the animal science career, so there's a lot of really exciting things they can pursue because of this activity of livestock judging.

Practice makes perfect, and the team hopes this will help them take home the gold.