Technological advancements over the past seventy-four years have made much of modern animal agriculture easier and more efficient. Yet, certain qualities which technology cannot provide remain essential for those who make their living with animals. These qualities include love and appreciation of animals and proficiency in their care and handling. Although many of the students participating in the Livestock Classic will not go on to work on farms, the experience they gain here will be carried throughout whatever they do.

The Bay State Livestock Classic dates back to 1935 at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, now known as the University of Massachusetts. The animal science department at the time was divided into three separate departments: dairy and animal sciences, veterinary science, and poultry science. The show in 1935 was for the dairy and animal sciences department and was called the Dairy Classic. The Dairy Classic featured four dairy breeds. In 1938 Professor M. F. Ensiminger came up with the idea of a livestock show for his livestock production class. The show was modeled after the International Livestock Exposition held in Chicago during that time and thus was named the Little International Livestock Show. The show gave two and four-year students the opportunity to fit and show a college-owned animal.

The Dairy Classic and the Little International Livestock Show were held at the old Grinnell Arena on campus. Back in those days, the horses were housed at Tilson Farm and the livestock were housed in barns where the Mullins Center stands today. Grinnell Arena was located across the street from the livestock barns.

A popular event at the Little International Livestock Show through 1940s and 1960s was the co-ed milking contest. In this event, sorority pledges, hand picked for their lack of experience, would compete to milk a cow and fill up a test tube in the shortest amount of time. The winner of the contest received the title of "Girl with the Most Pull on Campus." Other events included a livestock judging contest, a bucking barrel competition, sheep dog demonstrations, baby animal parades, and a parade of sires from the campus stables.

For the 1963 to 1964 academic year, the undergraduate program of the Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture's two-year program were combined into one Animal Science program as an inter-department major. The following academic year, this new department was established as the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences we know of today. Perhaps to reflect the change in the department, 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.

In 1990 the University of Massachusetts Foundation purchased the 130-acre Young Meadow Farm located just outside of campus. The 55th Livestock Classic that year was the last show held at Grinnell Arena. All of the livestock and horses were moved to the new farm in 1991, which the department renamed Hadley Farm. The 56th Livestock Classic was held at Hadley Farm, less than three months after all the animals were moved there, and has been held there ever since.

The Bay State Livestock Classic has a long history of giving students fun experiences with different species of livestock. It has proven to be a great success as many students return to show animals year after year. We hope that you enjoy your visit and will come back for future Livestock Classics!

-Information adapted from the 68th Livestock Classic program.