Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship Contest

08/20/2025

We’re proud to be a part of this multi-state initiative supported by leading land-grant institutions and organizations across the Southeast.

This means that the Top Hand Contest isn’t just where Georgia’s best young cattle handlers shine—it’s also the gateway for our state champion team to advance and represent Georgia on the national level!

Thank you to all our partners, volunteers, and supporters who help make Top Hand such a valuable experience year after year. Let’s get ready to take Georgia’s talent to the national level!

We’re proud to launch the National Youth Cattle Working Contest, a premier competition that challenges, educates, and inspires the next generation of beef industry leaders!

Several organizations have developed and run successful youth cattle working contests at the state level. The NYCWC is an opportunity for state champions to compete at the national level and showcase their cattle handling skills, teamwork, and real-world knowledge—all grounded in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best practices.

From the pasture to the chute, this contest reflects the true standards of the beef industry—and it’s designed to build the confidence, leadership, and stockmanship skills our future needs.

This multi-state initiative is proudly supported by:

Virginia Tech, University of Georgia, Mississippi State, NC State, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and an incredible network of industry supporters!

Our first contest is hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens on September 16th and 17th.

Want more details? Does your organization host a state contest and would like to participate next year? Please visit www.nationalcwc.com

03/24/2025

Top Hand prep day for Sonoraville High. 100 mature cows & 80 calves. 7-way; 5-way combo; injectable dewormer for bred heifers, 2 and 3 year cows. Thanks to Rocky Rill Farm in Rocky Face, GA.

03/18/2025

Has your Top Hand team completed their BQA certifications? Completion of a free, online BQA course is a helpful contest preparation tool that discusses cattle health, stockmanship and best management practices. Completion of this online course is required in order to compete.

Check out this checklist below to ensure you and your team are BQA-certified and ready for the regional contests!

03/17/2025

03/10/2025

We are just over a month away from kicking off the 2025 contest! If you haven't registered your team, be sure to visit ugabeef.com/tophand to register before the 4/10 deadline!

01/16/2025

To ring in the new year, we want to remind everyone that the 2025 Top Hand contest is scheduled and registration is open for all Georgia 8th-12th graders!

📅 **Regional Contests:**
- Alapaha (4/14)
- Carrollton (4/15)
- Summerville (4/21)
- Athens (4/21)

👥 **Team Requirements:**
- Teams of three members
- Open to students in 8th-12th grade

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your stockmanship and stewardship practices!

🔗 For more details and to register, visit ugabeef.com/tophand
Let's make 2025 a year to remember!

12/07/2024

More and more states joining in on the experience of stockmanship contests. Interesting set up they put together.

10/01/2024

📢Announcing the Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship 2025 Contest!

Are you ready to showcase your cattle handling skills and compete for the state title? The UGA Beef Team and the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association are excited to invite all 8th-12th grade students in Georgia to participate in this year's contest! Registration is open until 4/10!

📅 **Regional Contests:**
- Alapaha (4/14)
- Carrollton (4/15)
- Summerville (4/21)
- Athens (4/21)

👥 **Team Requirements:**
- Teams of three members
- Open to students in 8th-12th grade

This hands-on program is designed to educate and equip Georgia’s youth with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be successful advocates and employees in the beef industry. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your stockmanship and stewardship practices!

🔗 For more details and to register, visit ugabeef.com/tophand

Let's make 2025 a year to remember!

09/12/2024

Georgia's Top Hands are now in teaching mode. State Champion Team member, Carolann Cash, taught 185 students throughout the 10 rotations at the Calhoun Stockyards's "Day at the Stockyards" event with her YF Teacher Lauren Jarrett. She overviewed the importance of BQA chute side protocols and techniques.

The word on the street is she did excellent and is putting the rest of us out of a job. Proud of our Top Hand contestants. They are leading the way in their communities and encouraging others into the beef industry.

09/11/2024

Top Hand demonstrations will be at Sunbelt. Three- 2024 teams will be leading the way from Coffee, Chattooga and Colquitt Counties.