“And on the 9th day, after God made a farmer, God looked down on his planned paradise and needed someone to show off his prized creations. So, God made a Stock Show Kid.”- Paul Harvey
Showing livestock has many benefits people don’t realize. Have you ever thought about them? What an individual can gain, learn, and/or experience? Many people often feel showing livestock falls under two categories. One, it is just a waste of thousands of dollars, or two, we get meat from livestock. However, to the people who show, it is so much more than that. Showing livestock is what shapes our youth. They learn a tremendous amount of life lessons as well as a lot about themselves. Once someone starts showing livestock is in their blood and it will never leave.
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Niemeyer also stated this in his article. He stated that, “Family togetherness and family values gave a meaning to what is desired as a life skill. It was apparent that participants in this study put emphasis on the importance of the family participating in activities together.” Behind every livestock showman is a family full of support. Have you ever heard the saying, “It takes a village”? Well, in the livestock industry this could not be more true. Your parents are always the ones standing ring side. They hold the halters, extra spray bottles, wipe off the manure that you animal just had to release before you walked into the ring, go get your next animal ready that is in the next class right away. They do whatever they can to help. If you’re lucky enough to have a family like mine, it will be more than just your parents helping. My family wouldn’t make it through show day if it wasn’t for each other, my aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, as well as family friends. It really does “take a village.” Famlies tend to become very strong in the livestock industry due to the fact of always being together. There are many days and nights spent in the barn or on the road. It is all these days and nights where the memories are made. By showing livestock you basically get to travel around the country depending on what show you go to. Who else would you rather experience our great country with than your