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Jason P’Pool showing Lily and Claire Smith wear to check sheep for muscle. (JERRETT POSEY/ ADVERTISER)

Joshua Barr has the lambs judge him. (JERRETT POSEY/ ADVERTISER)

Chilton County 4-H students prepare for a questions class. (JERRETT POSEY/ ADVERTISER)

Claire Smith placing a class of Angus Heifers. (JERRETT POSEY/ ADVERTISER)

By JERRETT POSEY/ Intern

The Chilton County 4-H held its Livestock Judging Clinic on May 8, in preparation for the state contest coming up.

This is the team’s first year together, but they still expect to do well. Several of the team’s members have competed before, but for others this will be their first time. The clinic was set up to help give the team some practice before going to the competition.

Jason P’Pool, associate extension professor, helped the team go through five different classes. The classes consisted of market and breeding for cattle and lambs in order for them to have hands on experience. The clinic was free for all the participants, and the Chilton County Cattlemen’s Association provided lunch.

The team members all seemed excited about going to the state competition, but some seemed more confident than others. Lily Smith said she expects her and her team to do well.

“I feel confident in our team and believe all of us will place really high,” Lily Smith said.

For Lily and her sister, Claire Smith, this will be their third competition to compete in. However, the team will not only be competing in the 4-H State Livestock Competition but the 4-H State Quiz Bowl and Skill-a-thon Competitions as well. When asked which was her favorite to compete in, Claire Smith said it was the quiz bowl.

“I like the quiz bowl, because you have to think of the answer in your head, then click the button and spit it out really fast,” Claire Smith said.

While getting ready for three separate competitions is no small task, the team seemed to enjoy the challenge. To make matters even more interesting, the brother/sister pair of Joshua and Hannah Barr will also be trying to out do each other, so they can pick their own celebration.

“If I win, I get to pick a restaurant and a movie to go to,” Joshua Barr said. “If my sister wins, she gets to pick a restaurant and get a massage.”

No matter what all they are competing for, the Judging Clinic gave them some much-needed practice before state. 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent Janet Lovelady said they plan on making this an annual event and hopefully get more teams to participate. While there were several individuals not on the Chilton County 4-H team that attended the clinic, they hope to have even more people come in the future.

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