The Iowa State Block and Bridle Club will host the Little North American livestock show Nov. 1 at the Farm Bureau Pavilion in Kildee Hall.

Now in its 84th year, the Little North American livestock show provides the opportunity for Block and Bridle members to participate in a showmanship contest against other members of the club.

“Traditionally, it’s an opportunity for students to gain experience in preparing and exhibiting animals,” said Marshall Jurgens, professor of animal science.

Students will show beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep and horses at the event, said Tara Wellman, vice president of Block and Bridle and senior in animal science.

The animals used in the show are provided by the Iowa State University teaching farms, said Rachel Smith, sophomore in agricultural business.

There are two divisions of showmanship — pro and novice. Pro is for the more experienced showman, while novice is for the beginning showman who has little experience with the particular species, Wellman said.

Pros are also teamed up with the novices to teach them techniques when showing a particular species.

“The pros give the novices tips on how to prepare an animal for exhibit,” Jurgens said.

Winners from each division, both pro and novice, must show all five species in a round robin competition to determine the overall winner, Wellman said.

In addition to the showmanship contest, a sale of champions is held, she said.

Groups of four people put together a display about a specific species. Judges interview each team about its species and the group presents the animal in front of everyone.

An auction is then held where “the goal is to have your team sell the animal for the most money,” Wellman said.

For those who have never shown, watching can be a learning experience, she said.