The 101st Little International livestock drawing will take place today at 7 p.m. in Rotunda D.
The drawing is an opportunity for all SDSU undergraduate students to enter their names to receive an animal to show at the 101st Little International April 5 and 6.
There will be 159 livestocks up for grabs at the 101st drawing, including beef, dairy, horses, sheep, goats and swine.
Little International staff members are hoping to have 200 students attend this event. Each hopeful participant must be present in Rotunda D to fill out a form with their name and which species they wish to show. Staff will then begin drawing names, and students can declare which species they would like to show as their name is drawn.
“The atmosphere is really fun,” Makayla Nelson said, senior exercise science major. “Everyone is rooting for an animal, but you never know how it’s going to end up. You might not get one at all, or you might not get the species you wanted.”
Students showing dairy, beef and horses will have a month to work with their animal, excluding spring break. Those exhibiting sheep, goats and swine will receive their animal after spring break to work with them until April 5.
A typical minimum time commitment for working with each animal is three to five hours weekly. However, total time depends on the species, specific animal, and time allowed in each person’s schedule.
Isaac Berg, a senior animal science major and Little International staff manager understands each showman’s time and dedication to getting their animal ready for the show.
“The more time you put in, the better you will do,” said Berg.
Each species will have two classes, novice and experienced. The novice class is designed for those who have not shown their selected species before.
Staff members and experienced exhibitors for each species will help these showmen. They are also welcome to have their experienced friends coach them through the training process. The experienced division is for those who have shown their given species in the past.
The livestock drawing is open to all SDSU undergraduate students, and everyone is encouraged to try their luck to receive an animal to show.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not very often do you get to go show an animal and not have to put any money into it,” Bryce Adrian, senior precision agriculture major, said. “In college you are supposed to try new things and this is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and give something new a shot.”
As an exercise science major, Nelson believes her involvement in Little International has truly impacted her college experience. She had always wanted to participate in the event because she grew up showing steers and pigs. Through her involvement, she met new people and made connections outside her major. Nelson has fond memories of working with her pig alongside her newfound friends.
“We were all really competitive and wanted to win, but still supported each other. I knew they were truly happy for me when I won [the round robin show],” Nelson said.
She also believes it is important for students not studying agriculture to be interested in Little International.
“If you’re not from an agriculture background, it will allow you to experience something new,” Nelson said. “You might find a new interest in animals, learn where your meat comes from, and truly understand the care and dedication showmen have for their animals.”
The 101st Little International staff would like to encourage all students interested in livestock drawing, regardless of their agricultural background or experience, to join them today at 7 p.m.
“Everybody should do it.” Nelson said.
For more information regarding the 101st Little International event, and drawing, check out SDSU Little International on Instagram and Facebook.