“She’s handling that cow incredibly well ...”
“I like that one’s spots!” “Oh, that pig is so cute!” Yes, my knowledge of actual stock, in a livestock show is somewhat limited, but that didn’t limit the passion, energy, enthusiasm and support for Erath County youth that I saw this week.
Paul and I, and our freelance photographer Danielle Meador had the pleasure (or pain as cold as it was) of covering the annual Erath County Jr Livestock Show last week.
It’s a rule at both the county stock show and at the Fort Worth Stock Show that the weather must test the winter gear preparedness of all Texans competing at these shows. We all passed the first test, I’m pleased to announce, but not without some new warm, fleece long johns for myself. We bundled up in multiple layers and other than my feet, I can pleasantly say I really didn’t get cold.
When the threat of winter precipitation started to move in, we started to get nervous (well really I did, Paul took it in stride, knowing we had to go over to the stock show no matter what).
I originally thought organizers were a tad crazy (livestock trailers sliding off roadways into ditches kept circling in my mind), but then I realized these are ag people.
There are no days off when you are a farmer or a rancher.
When it’s cold you get to work harder to make sure your livestock are taken care of. Cold weather doesn’t stop anything, and it didn’t last week either. If anything, it made the determination of the youth, their families, the judges and supporters even more prominent.
On Thursday when the freezing rain and just downright cold temps continued, the stock show participants moved part of the ag mechanic entries indoors and the rest under an awning by the building, but it was still wet and cold.
That didn’t stop the judge from learning about each and every entry the students had tirelessly made. (I know we aren’t suppose to have favorites, but that chicken coop our Dublin FFA kids made was so awesome!!)
I watched numerous students that we know, including some young first time participants get their nerves in check and put their best feet (or hooves) forward.
I may not know much about what qualifies an animal to win, but I definitely know determination and hard work when I see it.
When we arrived Saturday to take the final photos of the showmanship and herdsmen awards there were so many people in attendance we had problems finding a place to park.
It was wall to wall people attending the auction, eagerly looking over show orders, and marking which animals they wanted to bid for. For those who may not know, the Erath stock show is a premium show. This means the animals are not actually sold, but rather the supporters are giving a scholarship to the kids. The highest one in the show was $15,600 for the grand champion dairy cow. And every single bid was high.
Without a doubt our county’s FFA programs, school districts, 4-H programs and families support our area youth, but so do our businesses. It seems like everyone in this county understands the hard work, determination and passion on display at the annual livestock show.
I may not have the background or insight that a lot of these showpeople, parents, judges and sponsors have, but I can see the work they all put in and respect it. I can also pick the cutest cow in the ring. I just get upset when they don’t get first place.
— Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette is the Content Editor for The Dublin Citizen and she can be reached via email at composing@ dublincitizen. com.