Fresno State agriculture students participated in a collegiate-level competitive livestock event at the Big Fresno Fair.

Students from the Jordan College of Agriculture Science and Technology showed off campus-raised beef cattle Friday.

Fresno State student and beef show team president, Jacob Pignone, said a lot of hard work went into preparing for the event.

“We get cattle from the local area and also we use some of our cattle as well,” Pignone said. “We get them together and we feed them — we take care of them. We learn how to keep them in good health and get them ready for a show.”
Pignone added that the hard work pays off.

“We’re pretty passionate about it,” Pignone said. “It’s hard putting everything together and getting it out there, but it feels rewarding in the end.”

The students are showing various animal species, including large animals like beef cattle and swine.

Some of the students have already gained experience in agriculture by working with 4-H, an agriculture-focused youth development organization.

Other students have worked with Future Farmers of America (FFA) members, who show animals in the Junior Livestock Show.

There are also students who competed in a livestock event for the first time.

Randy Perry, adviser of the beef show team, said the livestock show is a way for the students to gain experience.

“In our department, we have Animal Science and Ag Education,” Perry said. “Those Ag education students, if they go out and become Ag teachers, they have to supervise FFA students, high school students, show livestock projects. Those students that didn’t have the experience will get the experience they need for when they go out in their career.”

Perry said 20 students from the beef show team and about 20 students from the swine show team competed at the Big Fresno Fair.

Throughout the year, the Ag students take part in different activities.

In addition to attending various livestock shows in Fresno County, the students have a beef sale in the spring.

“It’s a very positive experience,” Perry said. “They get a lot out of it.”