Lincoln, Neb. —The University of Nebraska--Lincoln's annual livestock showmanship contest Little AKSARBEN, was held Nov. 6 by the Blocka nd Bridle Club. despite COVID-19 related challenges this year, the competition provided a fun and competitive opportunity for students to develop and refine skills essential for lifelong success in agriculture.
Little AKSARBEN serves as an excellent chance for both experienced and non-experienced showman to improve their livestock showmanship, fitting and judging skills. Hogs, goats, sheep and cattle were provided by the Animal Science Department to show at the R.B. Warren Area in the Animal Science Complex on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. There was a novice and experienced division for each livestock species.
Little AKSARBEN Committee Chairs Megan Eickhoff of Falls City, Neb., and Lindsay Peters of Scribner, Neb., added a new element to the show this year by inviting all faculty, staff and graduate students in the animal science department to participate, rather than only undergraduate students.
Both senior animal science students, Eickhoff and Peters agreed that their goal was to provide a hands-on opportunity for exhibitors to have involvement with livestock, despite the unique year.
“Six participants had never shown livestock before, they were so excited to be able to have that opportunity,” said Eickhoff. “It was pretty unique to be able to watch those individuals grow and learn in their skills becoming a competitive livestock showman.”
Exhibitors had the opportunity to work with their animals, which were randomly drawn, two weeks prior to show day. They spent time familiarizing themselves with that species or particular animal preparing, feeding, washing, fitting, training and caring for their animals before the show.
In each species class, a grand champion and reserve grand champion was awarded. Exhibitors in the top two for all classes, in both the experienced and novice categories received banners with the species on them.
The UNL Block and Bridle Club looks forward to the 2021 Little AKSARBEN and encourages any student who attends Nebraska to participate, or who wants to learn more about the livestock industry.
2020 Little AKSARBEN Results:
Experienced Sheep
Grand Champion: Sarah Dilley
Reserve Grand Champion: Abigayle Warm
Novice Sheep
Grand Champion: Amber Staab
Reserve Grand Champion: Elizabeth Hodges
Experienced Cattle
Grand Champion: Amber Staab
Reserve Grand Champion: Abigayle Warm
Novice Cattle
Grand Champion: Sarah Dilley
Reserve Grand Champion: Emma Schmidt
Experienced Goats
Grand Champion: Sarah Dilley
Reserve Grand Champion: Tyson Olson
Novice Goats
Grand Champion: Caitlin Buck
Reserve Grand Champion: Emma Schmidt
Experienced Swine
Grand Champion: Sydney May
Reserve Grand Champion: Sabryn Phillips
Novice Swine
Grand Champion: Sarah Dilley
Reserve Grand Champion: Madi Marker
Overall Experienced Showman: Sarah Dilley
Overall Novice Showman: Elizabeth Hodges
Graduate Student Overall Showman: Brian Arisman
Dalton Obermeier judged the cattle and swine classes this year while Rachel Gibbs judged the sheep and goat classes.
2020 Little AKSARBEN sponsors included Koester Red Angus, Steele, ND; Cooper Specialist Feeds in Union, Neb.; Come & See Farm, Baroda MI; Ord Locker, Ord Ne; Downing, Alexander & Wood, Kearney, Neb.; and Cow Camp Promotions, Steele, ND.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Block & Bridle club is one of four inaugural clubs to become a chapter in a new national organization in 1919. The club’s objective is to provide education, leadership and service to members and the agricultural community.
Natalie Jones | IANR Media
