Decatur livestock judging team qualifies for state

DECATUR — The Decatur Livestock Judging team placed sixth in the district competition last month and advanced on to the state level of competition.

The team competed against more than 64 teams at the district meet at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on March 6. They went on to place 12th out of a total of 24 teams at the state competition, held at the University of Arkansas, last week.

“This is the first time since the 1990s that a livestock team from Decatur went to state, so we were very excited about it,” said ag teacher Lisa Barrett.

During the competition, the team ranks beef cattle, sheep, hogs and meat goats and then gives oral reasons for their decisions on each species, Barrett explained.

Students have to know livestock, have good public speaking skills and be able to visualize the classas they are giving their oral reasons, Barrett said.

Judging competitions is a good way for students to improve their showing skills and learn to pick livestock for the FFA and 4-H projects. Many colleges also offer scholarships for judging team members, she said.

Decatur’s young team has only one senior, Lensey Watson, two freshmen, Joey Barnes and Lacy Barrett, and one eighth grader, Haley Burden.

“Their accomplishment for their age was very good,” Barrett said.

Decatur’s farm business team placed 12th in the March 6 district competition.

The team took a math test on farm business problems for the competition. The program ties financial math together with agriculture, Barrett said.

“They’re a really smart group of kids. I’m really proud of all of them, they worked hard, tried hard and did a great job,” she said.