Main Events
Little International Stock show
History of "Little I"
The Little International Stock Show began in 1937 and was created to prepare the students and animals for the annual International Livestock Show in Chicago, Illinois. Since then, Little “I” has been carried on by the Young Cattlemen’s Association, and previously by the Block and Bridle Club, to teach students about showmanship of several large animals that they have never shown before.
The University of California, Davis, owns the animals used in the show. The students select their animals at the beginning of the quarter and spend hours working with them. They are judged on their showmanship skills and fitting ability, rather than the quality of their animal. All participating students are trained by qualified student leaders who work with these species at their facilities, or who have shown these species previously.
The two best individuals from each species class are selected to participate in Round Robin. It is here that they are required to show all species of animals including dairy cattle, horses, sheep, beef cattle, pigs, and goats. A winner is then selected from this group of elite showman as the Supreme Showman for the day.
The Little International Stock Show began in 1937 and was created to prepare the students and animals for the annual International Livestock Show in Chicago, Illinois. Since then, Little “I” has been carried on by the Young Cattlemen’s Association, and previously by the Block and Bridle Club, to teach students about showmanship of several large animals that they have never shown before.
The University of California, Davis, owns the animals used in the show. The students select their animals at the beginning of the quarter and spend hours working with them. They are judged on their showmanship skills and fitting ability, rather than the quality of their animal. All participating students are trained by qualified student leaders who work with these species at their facilities, or who have shown these species previously.
The two best individuals from each species class are selected to participate in Round Robin. It is here that they are required to show all species of animals including dairy cattle, horses, sheep, beef cattle, pigs, and goats. A winner is then selected from this group of elite showman as the Supreme Showman for the day.
Artificial Insemination Clinic
Every spring the Young Cattlemen's Association puts on an artificial insemination clinic. This clinic is taught by Dr. Brett McNabb of the UC Davis school of Veterinary Medicine with the help of other staff and volunteers from YCA. Each participant is taught the logistics behind artificial insemination. They have several days to practice their technique on reproductive tracts provided by the vet school. After they have had several days of practice they are given the opportunity to test their skills on actual cows donated by Cargill. At the end of the clinic they will be presented with a artificial insemination certificate showing they have completed the necessary training to perform artificial insemination. Club members get a discount on the fee for the clinic.