FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-4696

YOUTHS COMPETE FOR CASH, POINTS
AT KENTUCKY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK EXPOS

FRANKFORT, Ky. — This summer’s three Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos are an exhibition of some of the finest livestock in the state. They’re also a collection of the some of the finest young people our Commonwealth has to offer, according to Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer.

“Kentucky’s most important agricultural product is our youth,” Farmer said. “These young people are our farmers and leaders of tomorrow. And it does me proud to see these young men and women spending the summer in such productive pursuits, striving and competing with their peers for $100,000 in premiums that are up for grabs over the next two months, as well as Kentucky Proud points.”

The KJLE East is June 9-10 at Morehead State University’s Derrickson Agricultural Complex. The KJLE Western Rivers follows June 26-27 at Murray State University’s William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Expo Center. The KJLE West is July 25-26 at the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green.

Last year, 1,940 animals were exhibited, an increase of 62 from 2006. The East and West expos are the largest, attracting nearly 800 entries each last year, while Western Rivers had the remaining 350 or so. Tim Jeffries, who works in Division of Show and Fair Promotion for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, is predicting the numbers will hold steady or climb slightly higher this year, based on early shows.

Kentucky Proud Points earned in the Junior Livestock Expos carry more weight than those of any other show except the Kentucky State Fair. Exhibitors who earn the most Kentucky Proud points are honored at an awards banquet on the first Saturday in December. 

The first day of each KJLE is educational, with seminars from some of the nation’s top livestock professionals, a livestock judging contest with oral reasons and a skill-a-thon.

The competition moves to the show ring on the second day for 4-H and FFA exhibitors. Each expo concludes with a round-robin showmanship competition among the top two exhibitors in each species for the title of supreme overall showman.

The Commissioner’s Award will go to one exhibitor in each species at each expo. A commemorative belt buckle and cash award will go to the exhibitor with the best overall performance in showmanship, judging, skill-a-thon and the exhibitor’s highest-placing animal.

For more information, including rules, schedules and directions, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/fair/kjle.htm.

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