The 2023 Crescent FFA Livestock Judging team placed third overall out of 18 teams.
For many FFA members, career and leadership development events (CDEs and LDEs) are more than just a competition; they are opportunities to gain valuable real-world skills that will benefit us throughout our lives. As FFA members, preparing for these events not only pushes us to challenge ourselves but also teaches us how to be better communicators, leaders and team players. Whether competing at the local, state or national level, the experiences gained through these events are lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom.
One of the most impactful events I had the privilege of participating in was livestock judging. Our team from Crescent FFA in Iva, S.C., practiced every Tuesday and Thursday without fail, each practice bringing us closer to our goal of competing at the state level. The commitment and discipline we had to put into preparing for this competition taught us valuable lessons in teamwork, time management and focus.
Our practices followed a routine that helped us build the skills needed to succeed. Every session began with a Kahoot quiz, one of our tests to help us solidify our knowledge of animal evaluation. Afterward, we would judge four livestock classes, including various animal species such as cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. This was the most exciting part of practice because it allowed us to apply everything we learned in the real world. We had to look at each animal from the different species and determine which one best met the ideal standards for that specific class.
Once we finished judging, the next step was writing a set of reasons. We had to explain why we placed the animals in the order we did, using specific criteria and justifications. Writing reasons wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to communicate my thoughts clearly and effectively—skills crucial in almost any career.
In addition to our twice-weekly practices, we also had daily quizzes. These quizzes kept us on our toes, ensuring that we were continually learning and retaining new information. Every day, we judged four classes of livestock. This consistent practice helped us improve our evaluation skills and made us more confident in our decisions when we got to the competition.
All this hard work paid off when we competed at the state level and placed fourth overall. We were ecstatic with our performance, especially considering how much effort and dedication we put into preparing. It wasn’t just about winning, though. The true value of this experience came from how much we grew as individuals and as a team.
In the end, career and leadership development events are more than just competitions. They are stepping stones to success, teaching us lessons we can use in our personal and professional lives. For my team and me, our experience in livestock judging was a perfect example of how hard work, dedication and teamwork can help us succeed and grow as individuals.
