MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Young people and adult coaches interested in honing their livestock judging skills have several opportunities at upcoming Mississippi State University camps.

The MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences will hold two residential camps and two half-day camps in May and June.

Participants will judge sheep, meat goats, hogs and beef cattle, and they will learn to develop oral reasoning skills.

Residential camps will be May 24-26 and June 30-July 2 for 14- to 18-year-olds. A $200 fee will pay for meals and lodging. Space is limited to 30 participants for each camp. Applications with payment must be postmarked by May 10 for the first camp or June 1 for the second camp.

Two day camps will be offered for 9- to 13-year-olds, as well as interested adults or coaches. Both camps will be June 6, with a morning camp from 7:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. and an afternoon camp from 12:15 to 5 p.m. The registration fee for the day camps is $40. Applications must be postmarked by May 10. These sessions are limited to 50 entries per camp.

MSU livestock judging team coach Brett Crow and current members of the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences collegiate livestock judging team will serve as camp instructors.

For more information and application forms, contact Brett Crow at 662-325-5208 or visit http://www.ads.msstate.edu.

Contact: Brett Crow, 662-325-5208