SU Ag Center set to host its 81st Annual Livestock and Poultry Show
Baton Rouge, La. – Youth from throughout the state will gather at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena from February 29 – March 2, 2024 to compete for a chance to be named grand champion during the Southern University Ag Center’s 81st Annual Livestock and Poultry Show.
This year the Ag Center has planned several events leading up to the 81st show. These events include a Livestock Give Day and an Expediential Experience Expo for local students.
The full list of events with dates, times, and locations is listed below:
February 17, 2024 - Boots and Bling Affair
The event began at 7 p.m. at the F. G. Clark Activity Center. Tickets were $30 for arena seating, $40 for general admission floor seating, and $250 for tables The attire for the event was Western.
February 25, 2024 – Livestock Appreciation Luncheon
The luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena Multi-Purpose Building. This event will honor the individuals who have made an impact on the Livestock Show.
February 27, 2024 – College of Ag Showcase and Livestock Give Day
The College of Ag Showcase will begin at 9 a.m. on the lawn of Pinkie Thrift Hall on the Southern University campus. Students, faculty, and staff from the Southern University College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences and the Southern University Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Program will discuss career opportunities in the field of agriculture and the programs and services available through the Cooperative Extension Program.
The Jaguar Nation is asked to participate in the Livestock Give Day. Eighty-one individuals are asked to give $81 in honor of the Livestock Show’s 81st anniversary. Donations can be made online at https://foundation.sus.edu/southern-university-agriculture/.
February 28, 2024 – The Expediential Experience Expo
The Expediential Experience Expo will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena Multi-Purpose Building and will provide students for East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding areas with an opportunity to explore agricultural displays, demonstrations, exhibits, visit a petting zoo, and tour our mobile technology unit.
February 29, 2024 – 81st Annual Livestock and Poultry Show Begins
The Livestock Show will officially begin at 8 a.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena.
March 1, 2024 - Livestock and Poultry Show & Night with the Stars Old Fashion Decorating Contest
Judging will continue at 9 a.m. in the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. The Friday Night with the Stars Old Fashion Decorating Contest will be held at 6 p.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. The event will allow participants to have fun with their animals one last time before the Junior Auction on Saturday morning.
March 2, 2024 – Awards Program and Junior Auction
The awards program will be held at 8 a.m. at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena with the Junior Auction immediately following.
About the Southern University Ag Center’s Livestock Show
The Southern University Ag Center’s Livestock and Poultry Show was established in 1943 as a poultry show by J.W. Fisher, director of the College of Agriculture and Tom J. Jordan, state cooperative extension agent, along with a group of statewide vocational agricultural teachers, agricultural extension workers, and community leaders.
A dairy calf project was added in the second year and the show’s name was changed to the State Poultry and Dairy Show with youth exhibitors (participants) from limited-resource families.
This year, nearly 100 youth from across Louisiana will show around 130 animals during the event which provides an opportunity for them to showcase their hard work in raising and caring for various breeds of cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, goats, and poultry. Winners will receive premiums, banners, ribbons, rosettes, and trophy belt buckles.
The Livestock Show cultivates the development of responsibility, dedication, decision-making, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills to the youth who prepare throughout the year for competitions, through the possession and personal care of a live animal project.
Southern University is the only 1890 Land-Grant Institution to still hold a livestock show.