How to Prep to Win During a Pandemic

Getting your livestock show-ready can be challenging enough on a good year. Throw in the uncertainties of COVID-19, and the challenges and opportunities have seemed to multiply. Will the shows you targeted even happen? Will you be allowed to have help at the show? Fit or no fit? What about social distancing? Agriculture is a resilient field […]

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How to Make a Smooth Transition

Bringing home new show animals and getting them settled in the barn is exciting for young exhibitors and their families. However, those feelings are not always shared with the livestock, as the animals more than likely are feeling stressed and anxious. They are in an unfamiliar environment with new people and other new animals. Livestock […]

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Tips for Commingling Show Pig Prospects

Nothing is more exciting for young livestock exhibitors than getting new show prospects into the barn. For many youths with winter shows, it won’t be long until it will be time to start picking out and bringing home new show pig projects. However, there’s not much more frustrating than battling a barn of sick young […]

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5 Tips for Keeping Your Animals Hydrated

Water is the most essential nutrient of life. Humans, animals and plants all rely on the water for survival, due to its molecular makeup. Water is vital for bodily functions like nutrient intake, absorption and feed conversion, overall health, waste removal and temperature regulation. Since most show animals are in a confined area during most […]

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State Fair Memories Shared Across Generations

What do you get when you mix a hard-working family with passion for the livestock industry with ten days each year of family, friends and fun and combine two generations of memories all taking place in one place? It’s the Schafer family sharing their Illinois State Fair experiences! Aaron and Sue Schafer, along with their […]

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