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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The first of Kentucky’s three junior livestock exhibitions this summer was the most popular ever, setting a record with more than 800 livestock entries.
The Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo East attracted 806 entries and more than 400 young exhibitors ages 9-21 from all over the state to Morehead State University June 13-14. Shown simultaneously in five rings were an estimated, 250 sheep, 150 beef cattle, 150 dairy cattle, 150 hogs and 100 goats.
“It was very impressive,” said Steve Mobley, director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Show and Fair Promotion. “People were there from as far away as Murray.”
Mobley said he is expecting impressive turnouts at the other two junior expos of the summer. The Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo Western Rivers is June 30-July 1 at Murray State University. It is followed by the original show of the three, the Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo West, July 22-23 at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.
“We could very well set another record at Bowling Green and have 800-plus head again,” Mobley said. “The KJLE West in Bowling Green is usually as large as the KJLE East. The KJLE Western Rivers is the newest of the three, and it’s growing. Last year, it had a 30- to 35-percent increase over the previous year.”
The first day of the two-day expo consists of what Mobley calls “tremendous educational activities.” The KJLE East hosted 200 youth on Monday for judging clinics and contests, and fitting demonstrations, all taught by KDA employees or other experts in livestock production.
Mobley said the expos are excellent vehicles to promote the importance of Kentucky agriculture to the youth of the Commonwealth.
“One of KDA’s goals and missions is to educate the public as to how important agriculture is in the lives of all citizens of the state, not just the farm community; and this is a great tool to do that,” Mobley said, noting his own kids show sheep and beef cattle. This year, they introduced a neighbor’s child to the expo.
“I think he’s going to show next year,” Mobley added. “These expos are one of the best things we do at Shows and Fairs, maybe even the whole KDA, because they touch so many people.”
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