June 25, 2025
www.gfb.org
Vol. 7 No. 13
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU HONORS GA JR. NATIONAL LIVESTOCK CHAMPIONS For the 14th year, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has again rewarded the 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors who showed the top animals at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show (GJNLS) for the long hours they spent preparing their animals for the show ring. GFB celebrated the latest group of GJNLS grand champion exhibitors during its Evening of Champions dinner on June 13. GFB welcomed the students, their families, FFA advisors and 4-H agents to its state office in Macon. The event included inspirational speeches from GFB President Tom McCall and Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper, followed by the two ag leaders presenting each grand champion with a scholarship and gold belt buckle courtesy of GFB. “Tonight is a celebration of grit, heart and the agricultural spirit that drives these remarkable young people. Each of these grand champion exhibitors has spent countless hours feeding, grooming, walking and practicing with their livestock, often long before sunrise or after a full school day. You’ve shown the ability to learn from setbacks, stay committed and work as a team with your animal and your support system,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “Let us also recognize the importance of Georgia FFA and 4-H – two organizations that continue to empower, educate and uplift the next generation of agricultural leaders These programs teach far more than livestock management. They teach public speaking, community service, leadership and lifelong skills that reach far beyond the show barn.” The GJNL show is open to all Georgia 4-H and FFA members. The show is the culmination of the two youth programs’ livestock projects, which give students a chance to learn how to care for beef cattle, dairy heifers, hogs, goats and lambs for months, train them to be shown, and then compete for state honors as having the best animal in the various species categories. Some 346 4-H and FFA members showed 688 goats in the 2024 Georgia Junior Market Goat Shows held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) in Perry last October while the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Lamb show drew 230 exhibitors who showed 475 lambs. At the 2025 Ga. Jr. National Livestock Show, held Feb. 19-22 at the GNFA, 344 students showed 667 beef heifers; 173 students showed 250 market heifers or steers; 204 students showed 276 dairy heifers; 1,058 students showed 2,105 hogs (barrows and gilts); 170 students exhibited -continued on next page