Southern University Ag Center

Southern University 66th Annual State Livestock & Poultry Show is scheduled for Feb 26 - 28, 2009 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, SU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70813.

Since 1943, Southern University has upheld the tradition of providing an opportunity for youth throughout the State of Louisiana to gain valuable knowledge and skills at the Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show. The Southern University Ag Center Livestock and Poultry Show is the premiere event for youth to display showmanship and quality animals. Year round, youth prepare to compete in this culminating event by attending educational activities and programs. They learn leadership, character development, and entrepreneurship skills.

This time-honored, family tradition carries a strong legacy of providing an excellent opportunity for the youth of Louisiana to exhibit their prize livestock. This exhibition has also become an important means of providing youth with valuable life skills that will prepare them for whatever career path they may choose to pursue.

More than 500 budding farmers as young as seven years old gathered at the Maurice Edmond Livestock Arena for last year's show with animals nearly twice their weight. Thirty-four were named state champions of dairy animals, goat, beef-bearing animals, lamb, hog, and steers competitions. More than 200 animals were auctioned during the live market. By the end of the show, 800 people visited the arena in support of area youth.

Click the following links for more information.

Click here for the 2008 Show pictures.

Show activities
The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. During the two-day event, judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats. The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open Friday, February 27, 9am. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone's lives. The show will also have balloon figures, livestock and poultry quiz bowl, face painting, food, craft booths, magic show, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, until 1pm Friday for local school groups.

Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for youth of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, February 28 at 8am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30am. Meat buyers, who have not pre-purchased their meat, are invited to the auction to bid for show livestock meat.

Become a contributor or purchase meat
Proceeds from meat sales and monetary contributions are set aside to assure that these young herdsmen and ranchers are rewarded for their financial investment, hard work and dedication. You can make an investment by pre-ordering your choice of meat or you may increase or donation to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. When you make a financial contribution in any dollar amount to the Southern University Ag Center Livestock and Poultry Show, we will purchase prime tender beef or choice, delicious pork, lamb and goat meat that will be processed and donated to the food bank. The funds from all meat purchases go directly to the participating youth. For more information contact:

Renita Marshall, DVM, MS
Director of Livestock Show Programs,
Southern University Ag Center
225-771 2242 ext:330
E-mail:renita_marshall@suagcenter.com