Batonrouge News Reporter

Phoenix, Arizona – October 24, 2023 – The Arizona National Livestock Show is a multi-faceted show featuring many family friendly events. In addition to the livestock competition, youth compete in public speaking and creed speaking contests along with livestock judging and skill-a-thon competitions.

On Cattlemen’s Day, men and women from across the state gather for fellowship and spirited competition during the Arizona National Working Ranch Horse Competition, Ranch Replacement Heifer and Commercial Bull Show and Sale and Cattledog Competition.

Bring the young buckaroos for The Farm Experience, an interactive glimpse into the agricultural lifestyle where they can enjoy the experience of riding a wooly sheep or roping a goat.

The Arizona National Horse Show has long been part of the annual competitions. Since relocating to Scottsdale’s WestWorld equine complex in 1998, it has experienced significant growth, with equine competitions for various interests including an American Quarter Horse Association Show and Youth Horse Show.

Here is a breakdown of the scheduled events:

The Farm Experience: A series of events at the Arizona National Livestock Show designed to educate people, especially children, about farm animals, their care, and their importance in agriculture. These events focus on providing information and interactive experiences to teach attendees about various aspects of livestock production.

• Wrangler Round-Up: Got a young’un that can’t wait to start their rodeo career? Arizona National’s Wrangler Round-Up has the full rodeo experience… without all the danger. Kids ages 3-9 years get to have some rodeo fun and compete for prizes.
• Pedal Tractor Pull: The pedal tractor pull is a tractor race for kids ages 4-12 with no entry fee. The further they pedal, the heavier the load they’re pulling gets. The person who travels the greatest distance wins.
• Li’l Buckaroo Rodeo: One of the highlights of the Arizona National Livestock Show is the Li’l Buckaroo Rodeo where boys and girls ages 4-6 have the chance to compete like real cowboys and cowgirls. Watch these little buckaroos ride wild and woolly sheep across the arena in the hopes of winning the go-round and moving on to the finals.
• Goat Roping – Breakaway: Want to know who’s the best goat roper at the Arizona National Livestock Show? Well, better come watch the goat roping competition to find out. At the show, all ropers will be able to prove their skills and compete to be the fastest breakaway goat roper.
• Goat Roping – Team Roping: Adults and children of any age will have the opportunity to rope a goat on foot in teams of two (header and heeler).

The Agri Mechanics Show: Showcases agricultural mechanics projects created by students and participants, often in the context of agricultural education programs or 4-H clubs. This event provides a platform for individuals to display their skills and craftsmanship in various categories, including Ornamental Welding, Woodworking, Small Metal Projects, and more.

Cowboy Classics: Working with a special grant provided by the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, the Arizona National Livestock Show is proud to do its part in helping to support and encourage Western Artists. In doing so, we help them gain recognition, visibility, and opportunities for their work in the art world.

• Each year an up-and-coming artist is chosen and commissioned to create a piece for the Arizona National. That piece is then auctioned off and the proceeds go toward funding. This year, they’re excited to work with the Art of the Cowgirl organization to help synergize our efforts to promote and preserve Western and Cowboy artists.

Livestock Judging: The Arizona National Livestock Show proudly hosts the first national Collegiate Livestock Judging competition of the year, in addition to a Junior Judging Contest for youth in 4-H and FFA. This contest utilizes the best animals from across the country.

• The Livestock Judging Competition is an educational and competitive event that assesses participants’ ability to evaluate and rank livestock based on specific criteria. These competitions are valuable for students and enthusiasts interested in livestock production and agriculture. Livestock judging competitions often focus on various species, including cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.

Speaking Contests: Allows participants, often students or individuals involved in agricultural education programs like FFA (Future Farmers of America) or 4-H clubs, to deliver prepared speeches on topics related to agriculture and related fields. These contests serve as opportunities for participants to enhance their public speaking skills, demonstrate their knowledge, and advocate for agricultural issues.

• These contests play a crucial role in developing the communication and advocacy abilities of individuals interested in the agricultural industry. Young people develop research and critical thinking skills, enhance their ability to communicate effectively, and become advocates for agriculture and related fields.

Cattledog Trials: Competitive events where herding dogs, often Border Collies or Australian Cattle Dogs, demonstrate their skills in working livestock, particularly cattle. These trials are not only a showcase of the dogs’ herding abilities but also a practical test of their usefulness in ranching and farming operations.

Replacement Heifer and Commercial Bull Grading and Sale: Replacement heifer and commercial bull grading are important processes in the cattle industry that help farmers and ranchers assess the quality and suitability of cattle for breeding and production purposes. These grading systems are used to make informed decisions about which animals to keep for breeding and which ones to sell for meat production.

• Both replacement heifer and commercial bull grading are essential for maintaining and improving the genetic quality of a cattle herd, which ultimately contributes to the long-term success and productivity of a cattle operation.

Farming Simulator: A popular video game series developed by Giants Software which allows players to experience the life of a modern farmer, managing various aspects of farming, including planting and harvesting crops, raising livestock, and operating agricultural machinery.

• Farming Simulator has garnered a dedicated fan base and has become a popular choice for players interested in the simulation and agricultural management genre. It has also been praised for its educational value, teaching players about various aspects of farming and agriculture. 

Video Contest: A groundbreaking initiative aimed at harnessing the power of social media videos to promote education in an engaging and entertaining format. In today’s digital age, education and creativity should know no boundaries. This campaign aims to democratize knowledge-sharing and make learning accessible to all, transforming the way we engage with educational content.

• Producers of outstanding videos will have the chance to win prizes. Our panel of judges will evaluate entries based on educational value, creativity, and impact.

Skill-A-Thon: A specialized competition that tests participants’ knowledge and skills related to livestock, including various aspects of animal care, management, and agriculture. Participants will be given a written exam consisting of questions related to livestock, animal health, nutrition, breeding, and management. There will be rotations where participants must identify various aspects of livestock and agricultural items including breed, equipment and feed. Participants will be asked to demonstrate their problem-solving skills as they are presented with scenarios related to livestock management such as calculating feed rations, diagnosing and treating common livestock health issues, or making decisions about breeding and genetics.

Agriculture plays a vital role in both the history and economics of Arizona. Recent government statistics estimate Arizona agriculture is over a $23.3 billion industry. The show’s founders knew the importance of agriculture when they held an organizational meeting, but surely, they had no idea the 1948 Phoenix Stock Show would evolve into one of the largest livestock events in the Southwest.

The Arizona National is investing in the future of agriculture and awards $60,000 annually in scholarships to students who have participated in the livestock show. Scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled in a college or university and who have demonstrated an interest in agriculture.

The Arizona National Livestock Show, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth and promoting livestock and agriculture to the public while preserving our western heritage.

For complete information, visit: https://www.anls.org/

Media Contact
Company Name: The Arizona National Livestock Show
Contact Person: Tyler Grandil
Email: Send Email
Phone: (602) 258-8568
Address:1826 West McDowell Road
City: Phoenix
State: AZ 85007-1696
Country: United States
Website: www.anls.org/