Livestock Show and Sale

Top Honors went to Ashley Thomas who had the Grand Champion Pen of Three Hogs, Matthew Kendrick who had the Reserve Champion Pen of Three Hogs, Adam Clayton who had the Grand Champion Market Lamb, Hunter Alexander who had the Grand Champion Dairy Goat, and Taylor Alexander who had the Reserve Champion Dairy Goat in the 66th Annual North Central Junior Livestock Show and Sale held April 13-14 at the Central Carolina Holstein Association Barn in Orange Grove.

The 17 Person County youth that showed a total of 45 animals including 2 heifers, 10 lambs, 15 goats, and 18 hogs, were among the 135 youth who participated and won awards in this year’s event, which drew 4-H and FFA members from 9 area counties. The North Central Junior Livestock Show and Sale got its start in Durham on April 24, 1946. Extension agents and vocational agriculture teachers work with the young people in various aspects of growing, grooming and showing livestock for sale.

At the beginning of every year, these youth begin working on their animal projects and begin training their animals. Care for the animal includes feeding, washing, building a pen, tagging, and providing any health related care. Some of the youth are busier than ever because they are showing 2-6 animals. It requires a lot of work and a lot of dedication on the part of the youth. But the reward is in their faces at the end of the show. They are proud of their accomplishments and their hard work has paid off. This show is a big part of the agricultural history of this county. It is all about the kids and their animals but it is also is about appreciating the agricultural industry and all that it provides for Person County. It is important for the youth to know where their food comes from and that it is not produced at the grocery store.

The participants also maintain record books that document the raising of the animals, and the record books are also entered into competition in the respective categories on the second day of the event. Area business, civic and individual sponsors help the Livestock Show Steering Committee sponsor the show. We would like to thank all of the Person County businesses who helped support this wonderful event because without you, it