GONZALES, La. — Louisiana 4-H and FFA livestock competitors from Minden to Metairie and all points between came together to participate in the 89th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held from Feb. 10 to 17 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

Dwayne Nunez, AgCenter livestock show manager, reported that 1,520 participants showed 4,234 animals, including 1,989 breeding animals, 774 market animals, 218 pens of broilers and 811 exhibition birds. After competing at the parish and district levels, youth from across Louisiana reached the pinnacle of success statewide.

Toby Lepley, AgCenter associate vice president and 4-H program leader, said it is always an honor to sponsor this event for the competitors who fought so hard to make it to this level.

“For the past 89 years, the LSU AgCenter livestock show has allowed our youth to showcase Louisiana-raised livestock and serve as advocates for agriculture in our state,” he said. “Through the livestock show, these youth are gaining valuable life skills that will help them face challenges and succeed in their education, work, family and communities.”

Tara Smith, AgCenter executive associate vice president and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, echoed Lepley’s sentiments, citing the importance of youth involvement in keeping livestock production alive in the state for new generations.

“Livestock programming is integral to our 4-H and FFA programs in the state,” Smith said. “The state livestock show is the culmination of much hard work and discipline and an opportunity for our youth to showcase their projects and to be recognized for their successes.”

Matt Lee, AgCenter vice president and dean of the College of Agriculture, who attended the event for the first time, called the experience “remarkable,” and thanked everyone who put it together.

“The determination in the participants’ faces; the joy and anticipation among the parents, family and friends; the air of inspiration among sponsors in seeing it all come together; and the sense of satisfaction among the AgCenter team for a job well done were all on display,” Lee said.

New Iberia native Chacelyn Peltier was named Overall Senior Broiler Champion, placing third in Poultry Premier Exhibitor and winning the first-ever Allen and Jeanette Guillory Thomason Outstanding Showman Award and a $5,000 cash prize.

For a complete list of 2024 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show champions, go to https://bit.ly/3kDcrVW.