Kansas Junior Livestock Show LEAD Challenge
The Kansas Junior Livestock Show LEAD Challenge is an education, advocacy, and leadership event that provides youth an opportunity to learn about current industry, production, and animal care issues, and then apply those learnings in a multi-event competition. Competition in the LEAD Challenge encourages KJLS exhibitors to develop not only the ability to show livestock, but also a well-rounded knowledge of animal agriculture and important advocacy skills. The challenge consists of four main components: Listen & Learn sessions, livestock showmanship, skill stations, and a career development activity.
Listen & Learn Sessions
The Listen & Learn component consisted of three sessions of educational workshops. In 2023, we had sessions on the following topics. Click each link to watch the recordings.
The Listen & Learn component consisted of three sessions of educational workshops. In 2023, we had sessions on the following topics. Click each link to watch the recordings.
Livestock Showmanship
Livestock showmanship is considered the in-the-ring component of the challenge. Showmanship allows contestants to receive points for demonstrating proper livestock handling techniques. Points were awarded for participating in any of the show’s showmanship classes.
Livestock showmanship is considered the in-the-ring component of the challenge. Showmanship allows contestants to receive points for demonstrating proper livestock handling techniques. Points were awarded for participating in any of the show’s showmanship classes.
Skill Stations
Skill stations give contestants the opportunity to demonstrate and apply key learnings about animal production, livestock management, and life skills. Each age division participated in a virtual presentation station prior to the show weekend as well as five stations in-person during the show weekend.
Skill stations give contestants the opportunity to demonstrate and apply key learnings about animal production, livestock management, and life skills. Each age division participated in a virtual presentation station prior to the show weekend as well as five stations in-person during the show weekend.
Career Development
The career development activity was a mock job interview and participants were asked questions about their skills, extracurricular activities, and any work and/or leadership experience.
The career development activity was a mock job interview and participants were asked questions about their skills, extracurricular activities, and any work and/or leadership experience.
Awards
Top five finishers overall in each age division were awarded a physical and cash prize. Juniors received $300 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place, $50 for fourth place and $25 for fifth place. Intermediates received $400 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, $100 for fourth place and $75 for fifth place. Seniors received $500 for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place, $200 for fourth place and $100 for fifth place.
Top five finishers overall in each age division were awarded a physical and cash prize. Juniors received $300 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place, $50 for fourth place and $25 for fifth place. Intermediates received $400 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, $100 for fourth place and $75 for fifth place. Seniors received $500 for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place, $200 for fourth place and $100 for fifth place.