Animal Talk

Stock Shows

Stock show season has begun and families all over the state are flocking to the events to exhibit their animal projects. The major stock shows begin with the Fort Worth Livestock Show in January and winding up with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March. San Antonio, San Angelo and Austin have invited the youth across the state to attend their shows as well. These cities draw hundreds of competitors and supporters each year in attendance. These events are not just good for the youth; they are a huge economic boost to the local economies of the cities that are hosts to the shows.

Youth across the state look forward each year to the competitions and in many cases have to plan and feed an animal for more than a year for the shows. The number of farmers and ranchers continue to decline and with the drought of 2011 that we are still suffering from in Texas is by no means an invitation for the youth of the state to get into production agriculture. So many across the country and, even in our state, do not have any idea where a chicken leg, hamburger, pork chop, or any other food item actually comes from. We need to make sure to support these young animal raisers.

There are so many life lessons that are learned and experienced during an animal project. The students that feed and care for their show animals learn to get up early and take care of their animals before school and when they get home from school. Their animals need constant care even on the weekends and holidays when school may not be in session. Win or lose, champion or not, all of these young individuals are winners and champions even if their animals may not get the purple banner. Our local Leon County Livestock Show is right around the corner and it will be our turn to help these kids. For all the supporters that help the show in multiple ways I want to say "Thank You" and if there are individuals that would like to get involved please contact me at 903-322-4239.

Good luck and safe travel to all the livestock show exhibitors.