Commodity groups and university programs are longtime advocates of building interest in livestock production and supporting the development of new operations for youth. These programs from South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation can help youth jump-start their own livestock venture:

Emerging Sheep Producers Program. From SDSU Extension, this program is open to anyone with 10 years or less of management experience in sheep production. It is designed for producers who want to develop or improve a sheep operation. Participants will learn all aspects of the sheep industry while improving skills needed to successfully shepherd their own flock.

The program is a nine-session course that consists of workshops, webinars, hands-on field days and networking opportunities. Participants will work with sheep while developing a personalized business and management plan.

To participate in this program, candidates must:

To find more information and the application, visit Emerging Sheep Producers Program.

South Dakota Fed Cattle Challenge. For high school livestock enthusiasts, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation will offer the South Dakota Fed Cattle Challenge. Students in the state who do not graduate before May will learn about the science and economics of finishing cattle through their participation in a calf finishing program.

Running from Oct. 1 to June 1, the program will help youth build their knowledge about the cattle industry by:

Winner Circle Feedyard will purchase, house, feed and care for the participant’s cattle throughout the program, with youth being responsible for about 30% of the purchase cost of roughly three head of cattle — about $1,000 to $1,500 in equity. The feedyard will finance the remaining value of the cattle, as well as the feed, yardage, hedging and medical costs until the cattle are sold.

Participants are required to review curriculum developed by industry experts, which chronologically details the process of starting and finishing cattle. These come in the form of 12 videos with written supporting materials to be reviewed on a biweekly basis. Youth must watch the video and then take a five- to 10-question quiz online.

To find out more about the challenge and register, visit the South Dakota Fed Cattle Challenge.

SDSU Extension and South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation contributed to this article.