The 70th Annual Bay State Livestock Classic will be held Saturday, April 23rd from 8am-4pm at the UMass Hadley Farm
The free event showcases animals which UMass students have groomed and prepared for competition. This year's showing will be the largest in the history of the event with over eighty students presenting. The animals will be judged on fitting (cleanliness and grooming) and showmanship (how well the students handle and "show off" their animals). Horses, cows, llamas, pigs, goats, and sheep will be exhibited.
"Each of the exhibitors is responsible for every aspect of their assigned animals, which includes bathing, training them to stand, walk, and trot on command. It's not always easy getting a 1,200 pound animal to go where you want it to go. But they've come a long way and it'll be a bit competitive between the students this year. I'm excited to see them perform," says Jess Phetteplace, a junior in the pre-vet program and this year's Livestock Classic Horse Coach.
Most of the animals at the show are owned and cared for by the University. However, many organizations and individuals from the community contribute to the Classic. This year Sara LaValley has lent eight llamas, Mapleline Farms has lent eight Jersey calves and Devine Farms has lent eight Holstein calves that students have trained for the competition.
Vanessa Mailloux, a sophomore in the pre-vet program, showed a Holstein heifer last year and is competing again, this year with a Jersey. "It's fun and rewarding, and it gives students a chance to work with livestock they may normally not be able to work with. The one-on-one experience with an animal can be amazing, you really learn a lot," she says.
The event is well suited to families, with a petting zoo of newborn sheep, goats, and piglets, as well as face-painting, 4-H, balloon animals, hayrides, crafts, and many other activities.
"Kids love seeing the babies; the goat kids are very playful, the piglets are outgoing, greeting everyone and begging for treats, and the bottle lambs like to be patted," says Alice Newth, who manages the Livestock Barn.
Several local farmers will be offering their products, such as wax and honey, Mapleline milk, and Flayvors ice cream, a local favorite.
"The Livestock Classic is really a great community event. We're grateful that so many of our neighbors volunteer their time and their animals to give students a wide range of experiences with different species of livestock," says Sam Black, who heads the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
The Bay State Livestock Classic dates back to 1935 when UMass was referred to as Mass Aggie (for Massachusetts Agricultural College). The event was originally called the Dairy Classic and featured four dairy breeds. In 1938 Professor M. F. Ensiminger had the idea of a livestock show for his livestock production class. That show was modeled after the International Livestock Exposition held in Chicago during that time and thus was named the Little International Livestock Show. The Dairy Classic and the Little International Livestock Show were combined into one show sometime between 1966 and 1969 and renamed the Bay State Livestock Classic.
All ages are welcome to attend this free event. The UMass Hadley Farm is located in Hadley, just South of the intersection of North Maple Street and North Hadley Road. Raindate for the event is Sunday, April 24th. For more information, call (413) 545-2363.
Related Information:
Read more about the Equine Studies program
See pictures from last year's event
See pictures of this year's animal babies
This year's schedule of events
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