Showing Livestock

A Beginner’s Guide to Showing Livestock 

“Showing livestock is more than a hobby. It’s a way of life.” This wooden sign with turquoise lettering hangs on the bedroom of one young exhibitor among her favorite banners, plaques, ribbons and a photograph of her prize goat, Poptart.   For 9-year-old Lily, there is nothing better than showing her pigs and goats, participating in […]

Read More…

heat stress in pigs

A Guide to Heat Stress in Pigs 

There’s nothing as “happy as a pig in mud.” Do you know why those pigs in the mud are so happy? It’s because they are cooling down! However, it’s fairly unlikely that you will find too many show pigs in mud. And that can be a serious issue.  Heat stress is a big deal. In […]

Read More…

cold stress in cattle

Prevent Cold Stress in Cattle 

Most would agree that show calves live a fairly lavish life. They get a balanced meal twice a day, daily skin and hair treatments, exercise and are tied in under fans or in a cooler room most of the time. However, as the temperatures drop and show schedules change, so does some of the daily […]

Read More…

show calves

Sure Champ’s Guide to Show Calves

Show Calves Fall in the Midwest—it’s more than turning leaves and football. For those looking for their next set of show calves, it’s shopping at its finest. From Labor Day forward, there are pasture sales, online sales and private treaty sales daily. If you can’t find a show calf that meets your criteria, you probably […]

Read More…

showing goats

Showing Goats is a Fun, Competitive Youth Project

Heart pounding. Adrenaline rushing. The uncertainty of what a new judge will look for when you lead your show goat into the ring. You go through the motions; set the feet and your wether braces perfectly.   The judge is placing the class from the bottom. You are still on the hunt. You made the top […]

Read More…