It’s not all about the shining trophies, purple ribbons, or champion plaques. It takes numerous hours in the barn, endless chores, daily washing, regular exercising, blood, sweat, and tears to raise a show animal.
Every minute of every day’s effort leads to one brief appearance in the show ring with the outcome resting in a single judge’s opinion. Perhaps the paradox, and reward of showing livestock is that a showman has so much, yet in the end so little, control of the outcome in the ring.
Competition seems to be craved in today’s society, yet in American culture, friendly competition has been replaced with the mantra that “everyone is a winner.”
According to USA Today,
“We have built a handholding fantasy culture that is leaving our children unprepared for the ups and downs of life. Without competition we are a nation of underachievers. It is time our country and our kids get back to winning and losing on the playing fields and failing and honor-rolling in the classroom. Our fun run approach to life is weaning future generations off of guts, fortitude, discipline, risk taking, confidence and other critically important ingredients for achievement.”
Showing livestock is different than participating in sports, in that it can be pursued by anyone at any time and success is ultimately determined by effort over experience. The inner competitor can surface through showing livestock.
Dedicated time in the barn can be an effort beneficial to any youth’s future. Showing livestock serves as both an individual and team activity. While an exhibitor plays a major role in their own success, guided encouragement from family, FFA/4-H club, friends, and supporters contribute encouragement to guide them along; thus serving as the most cohesive “sport” there is.
While ribbons may fade over time, the lessons learned will remain. Anyone who grew up showing or judging livestock, may not have been aware of lessons being learned at those practices and contests.
Sportsmanship is taught through tough competition. An exhibitor learns how to be a humble winner as well as a gracious loser. There are no “completion points” nor “A’s for effort” rewarded in the ring. Taking initiative by implementing learned showing techniques, selecting superior genetics, utilizing smart feeding programs, and caring for their animals ethically, an underdog can rise to the top relatively quickly. There are no number-one seeds in a livestock arena. While there are exhibitors whose livestock perform time and again, the spotlight remains available for anyone who is willing to work for it.
Responsibility is not as much taught, as it is instilled, on the farm. Dedication 365 days out of the year teaches production management skills to all who are involved.
Financial responsibility has been practiced through capital assets (aka cattle, lambs, and hogs) that I have invested in. Every animal, vet visit, and bag of feed, adds up; and market prices can be unpredictable. The show experience teaches money management and entrepreneurship.
Self-drive, honesty, and integrity are the final skills that define youth livestock exhibitors as “cream of the crop.” Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most when it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Most farm kids portray an undoubtedly hard work ethic and persistent demeanor. We are not afraid to get our hands dirty in order to gain the results we envision. Showing livestock requires a determined mind and devoted passion to agriculture.
Entering the show arena signifies the end of a show season’s long hours of preparation. At the same time, it is just the beginning – where hard work meets opportunity. The effort and dedication is never a a waste of time.
“You get out what you put into it” is an understatement in the midst of agriculture. When it comes to showing livestock, an individual not only reaps physical reward at shows, but more important, gains underlying skills that will never be replaced. Livestock show enthusiasts truly are purple ribbon people.