Show Pigs

Mental Health in the Pork Industry: Redefining Grit with Maddison Caldwell

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:56:42 GMT

In the stock show world, Maddison Caldwell was the blueprint of a firstborn overachiever: disciplined, organized and a perfectionist. But while she thrived in the black-and-white rules of life, the “gray areas” nearly cost her everything.

In college, she took a mandatory psychology class and realized she related to many of the topics they talked about. Caldwell sought help from her primary care physician, not knowing at the time that specialists existed for what she was feeling.

After months of increasing dosages, she reached a medical ceiling. When her doctor told her it was the maximum dose and ‘sent her on her way,’ she felt she had run out of options. Within five months, she attempted to end her life twice.

Private Pain to Public Hope

When she shared her personal battle in January 2022 , her story stopped being just hers. It became a shared common ground for others fighting silent battles.

“As soon as the article came out, it was like the floodgates opened,” she says. “All of a sudden, complete strangers – even people who weren’t involved with agriculture – of all ages from across the country reached out.”

Although it wasn’t easy to have the most painful moments of her life become table conversation, she doesn’t regret the decision to share it with others.

“This story came out right around the time I was starting my career,” Caldwell says. “I was reporting to an executive at a large company, and one of his coworkers on the executive team asked him, ‘Have you Googled her?’”

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

She will never forget when he asked her about it and the conversation that followed.

“He was quite a bit older than I am, and from a generation that didn’t talk about these things,” Caldwell adds. “It was a really uncomfortable and really hard conversation.”

But she believes those conversations are more important than ever.

“Doing things like that bring us one step closer,” Caldwell says. “I hope I never lose the drive to keep being uncomfortable in order to help people.”

Redefining Grit in Agriculture

Agriculture is making progress when it comes to talking about mental health and recognizing the importance of conversation.

“I don’t think we are great at sitting in that uncomfortable state,” she says. “We want to fix it and move on, or minimize it, or work harder and stay busy doing anything that allows us to avoid facing the reality of it.”

She believes it’s time to redefine “grit” in agriculture.

“In my opinion, grit means being honest with ourselves,” Caldwell explains. “I think it means coming to the realization that we need to reach out for help sometimes. It’s about the courage to be vulnerable.”

She also challenges the industry to stop equating grit with silence.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she warns.

In an industry that prizes working until the job is done, Caldwell says the ultimate display of grit is the courage to admit when you’re running on empty.

Warning Signs

With one in five U.S. adults facing mental health conditions and one in five high school students considering suicide, Caldwell isn’t shy about offering advice now.

“One of the things I did was bury myself in work, in being productive, in not taking any time to just stop and ‘smell the roses,’” Caldwell says. “If you notice people withdrawing from activities that they would have once loved, pay attention. If they’re exhausted all the time, if they’re not talking as much, if they use the words ‘I’m fine’ all too often, or if they are pouring so much into other people at their own expense, those could be signs.”

Looking back, she admits it’s hard to recognize herself during those years. Her mindset is much different now. She challenges people to stop shying away from asking hard questions.

“People often think if you say the word suicide, it’s going to put that idea in someone’s mind,” Caldwell says. “Let me be clear that this thought was already in my head when I was struggling. I don’t know what would have happened if someone just blankly asked me if I was thinking about suicide, because that’s not something people talk about.”

Healing Is Not a Straight Line

Today, Caldwell lives by a quote she read early in her recovery process: “When we recover loudly, we keep others from dying quietly.”

“I will shout my story to the rooftops if it means that one person feels less alone in how they’re feeling,” she says.

Healing looks different for everyone, and everyone needs different tools, Caldwell explains. She compares it to going to Starbucks to get a cup of coffee and then realizing you don’t like it.

“Does it mean that you’re going to stop going to Starbucks altogether, or, even worse, stop drinking coffee altogether?” she says. “Absolutely not. Sometimes you just need to go to different places or add in a little sugar here and there based on personal preference. I feel like my healing journey is like that.”

Caldwell says the “gray areas” are still terrifying at times. But she’s learned that true bravery is figuring out how to thrive even when a clear plan isn’t visible. Healing hasn’t removed the stressors in her life, but it has increased her capacity to handle them.

The one thing that has changed in the past six years is her willingness to have uncomfortable conversations and ask hard questions. She is grateful for the family, friends and professionals that support her in doing this.

“Transparency looks different now,” she says. “I can text my mom to just say, ‘It’s not a good day today.’ That’s something I never would have done because I didn’t feel comfortable saying that.”

Stay Beyond the Crisis

Her message to farm families is simple: don’t just show up for the crisis; show up for the recovery.

“Stay to see them thrive,” Caldwell says. “Stay to hear people like my mom say that ‘the light has returned’ in their eyes.”

Maddison’s family members have been a key support to her in the healing journey.

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

On the sixth anniversary of being alive after her last suicide attempt, Caldwell lit a candle and blew it out surrounded by her inner circle.

“As I looked around at the simplest of things, I was so grateful,” she says. “I was flooded with all the beautiful moments I have had since that time that I would have missed out on.”

Discover more about Caldwell’s journey – the challenges that would have wrecked her before, the most unexpected people who helped her recover and the joy she finds in her career today – by watching “The PORK Podcast” on YouTube or by listening to it anywhere podcasts are found.

No one has to struggle alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Why Livestock Judging Is the Ultimate Character-Building Sport for Youth

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:47:46 GMT

When Grace showed up to livestock judging practice for the first time, I instantly got a good vibe from this freckle-cheeked third grader. She just couldn’t stop smiling.

Later that evening of our first practice of the season, I asked all the juniors (3rd through 8th grade) to write down their goals for the season. The goals ranged from getting a 50 in a contest to a five-point plan for judging success.

But when I got to Grace’s goal, it stopped me in my tracks.

“To be amazing.”

I’ve read through a lot of judging goals over the years, but this was a first. In a world obsessed with winning, Grace reminded me of something even more important.

The Long Game of Livestock Judging

Looking at Grace, I saw the beginning of a journey I am currently watching my own son conclude. As he nears the end of his 4-H judging career, I’ve realized that my husband and I haven’t just been coaching him on how to rank a class of gilts; we’ve been coaching him on how to navigate life.

Maybe I am being overly sentimental as our son nears the end of his 4-H livestock judging experience. As I reflect back, I’m honored by the unique (and sometimes challenging) seat I’ve had to watch his progress. I remind myself that while the wins that can happen in livestock judging sure feel good and keep us going back for more, it’s really about something so much bigger.

Hunter Shike judging at Black Hawk College East Campus Judging Contest

(Faith Lortie)

The Intangible Advantage

It’s easy to pinpoint the skills kids learn from livestock judging such as decision-making, evaluation, attention to detail and critical thinking. But what is even more valuable is how livestock judging helps young people develop a mindset that doesn’t go away when the final card is turned in.

Here are three ways I’ve watched this “sport” build character.

1. Turning Disadvantages into Drive

One of my favorite examples of determination comes from a boy who had no livestock experience before he joined the team. No one could deny he was at a disadvantage because he didn’t have a show pig or a steer in the barn to go look at and study. Everything he was being taught was initially done by watching video classes during practice. I wondered if he would stick with it because he came from a different place than the other judges. I was pleasantly surprised to see how this disadvantage fueled his determination to learn and absorb as much as he could every practice. He’s now in his third year of judging and has been at the top of the pack all season. He reminds me to look at disadvantages as opportunities to grow. Livestock judging is a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you have a million-dollar barn or a video screen; it only matters how much you are willing to “see.

2. Balancing Perspective with Belief

I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to the topic of humility. I find it challenging to build confidence and humility at the same time. But there’s no question that livestock judging teaches it, whether you want to learn it or not. As much as we want kids to walk up to a class or into the reasons room with as much confidence as possible, we also want them to remember judging livestock is subjective. We must be able to consider others’ perspectives and not just center in on our own. I’m grateful for how judging livestock provides a training ground to help students gain open-mindedness and a desire for continual learning. Judging forces a child to stand firm in their conviction while simultaneously acknowledging that an official might see the world differently. When their confidence can lie in their ability to learn versus their ability to always be right, something powerful happens.

3. The Slow Work of Success

The transition between being a junior who places classes and answers questions to being a senior who places classes and talks oral reasons is tough. It’s one thing to answer questions about a class; it’s another to stand in front of an official and present a 1.5-minute case for why you placed the class the way you did. It takes time to hone that skill. I remember how challenging it was for our son to go from winning the state contest as a junior to struggling through his first few contests giving oral reasons. Good placings mattered, but beginning oral reasons scores kept him out of the top group. We had to remind him that becoming skilled in the reasons room simply takes time. Seeing him achieve his goal of winning oral reasons in a contest this past year remind me that good things do come eventually if you allow yourself to be molded and shaped by the less-than-great moments that are sure to happen along the way.

(Faith Lortie)

The livestock industry doesn’t just need more high-point individuals, it needs more people with the mindset that judging builds. To every coach and parent feeling the weight of this task: Keep going. You aren’t just teaching them how to rank livestock. You are building the leaders our industry desperately needs. Focus on the character, and the results will take care of themselves.

I don’t know if “Amazing Grace” will win the state contest this year. But as I watch her smile through every missed placing and every tough set of questions, I realize she’s already achieved her goal. She is amazing—not because of her card, but because of her character. And that is something we need to talk about more often.

Tragic Turn: Trailer of Show Pigs Bursts Into Flames on I-80

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:50:48 GMT

With the windows rolled down and the sun on his face, Chad Rieck admits he was having a pretty good day driving down Interstate 80. He was pulling a trailer with four gilts, and one of those gilts was bringing home the title of Third Overall Purebred Breeding Gilt from the Aksarben Stock Show.

For Chad and his wife, Amy, spending precious time with their 17-year-old daughter Hollynn at a stock show is something they don’t take for granted. Their busy daughter, now a senior, was juggling the show weekend with homecoming, volleyball and dance team. Because of this, she drove separately to the show with her mom to squeeze in more of her school activities.

Separated by a couple minutes on the interstate, they were chatting on the phone keeping each other awake on the drive from Grand Island, Neb., back to their farm in Creston, Iowa. Suddenly, the traffic slowed down and their day took a tragic turn.

A car burning alongside I-80 held up traffic for miles.

(NDOT)

Igniting the Fire

“I remember my wife saying, ‘Traffic is starting to get bad,’” Rieck recalls. “I told her there was an accident up ahead and we’d get through it eventually.”

When he came upon the scene, he discovered a car burning alongside the road. By this time, he had rolled up his windows and slowly drove by the car. No emergency vehicles were on the scene, so Chad estimates the fire had probably started within three to five minutes of when he passed it.

“The front of the car was fully engulfed in flames,” Rieck describes. “The driver’s portion to the back of the car was starting to get hot – hot, hot flames. My fear of driving by was, ‘What if there’s a gas tank there, and that gas tank blows? That’s going to be bad.’”

When he drove by, something burst.

“It wasn’t the gas tank that blew, but something, whether it was a fuel line, a tire or whatever, blew a ‘poof’ of flames,” he says.

About a mile after he passed the car on fire – maybe one or two minutes at most – Rieck noticed smoke rolling out of the trailer. At first, he thought maybe some smoke from the fire got in through the open trailer windows. Then, he wondered if he blew a tire.

“I’m looking in the mirrors checking for that and continually rolling,” he says. “I see a semi behind me begin to flash his lights at me. That’s when I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got problems.’”

Fortunately, he was coming upon an exit ramp. He jumped off the interstate and threw the truck in park as soon as he could.

“My wife’s still on the phone with me at this point,” he says. “I jump out of the truck and see the trucker running up with a couple of fire extinguishers. Because of him, I was able to get the back doors opened on the trailer. We got most of the flames down but didn’t have enough to get the fire completely out.”

When he opened the door, he saw that their banner-winning Poland China gilt was already dead, but the three other pigs were hanging on to life.

“The Poland gilt was on the back of the trailer and had somehow broken out of her pen trying to get away,” he says.

The burning trailer was caught on camera by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).

(NDOT)

Roadside Rescue

The fire picked up again as he tried to figure out how to get the pigs off the trailer.

“When I parked the trailer at the show, we left some tack in the trailer. So, I locked the ramp and the driver side walk-through door,” he explains. “I ran to get the key that I thought was in the truck, but there was no key there. Now, I’m just frantic.”

With no way to get to the three pigs still on the trailer, he grabbed for the big cart they hauled tack with that was standing upright in the back pen.

“Not a smart deal,” Rieck recalls. “I grabbed it with my hand, and now I’ve got some nice blisters. But even if I could have moved that cart, it wouldn’t have mattered. I had to get the pigs out the side ramp.”

The trucker ran back with a crowbar and Rieck broke the latches off the ramp door to get the ramp down. Flames greeted him. He was running out of options. He ran around to the other side’s ramp, broke that latch off and ended up getting two pigs out.

“The third pig was scared and wouldn’t come out, so I had to reach in through one of the sides to push her out,” he says. “I ended up with some burns on my arm from that, but I finally got her out.”

At this point, the trailer is still on fire. The trucker told Rieck to unhook his truck and pull it away from the trailer now that the pigs were out.

“I would have never thought of doing that,” he adds. “We had a gas can and small generator in the tack room of the trailer, so I went to work to get that out of there before we had an even bigger problem. Fortunately, the tack room was in decent shape, likely because there was a door between it and the main part of the trailer.”

Once the fire truck arrived, they focused on the trailer first. Megan Hobbs says she was able to gather buckets from the tack room to start filling to get to water all three pigs who were alive at the time. Unfortunately, they lost the Duroc, so they had to turn their focus to the remaining two.

(Megan Hobbs)

Meanwhile, people began showing up and helping with the pigs that were now scattered.

“I had one pig walking down the exit ramp,” Rieck says. “Meanwhile, one gilt was hunkered down under a tree in the ditch and the third was dying alongside the exit ramp. I’m in shock at this point – walking around and asking myself why.”

Stock show people he had never met before like Joe and Megan Hobbs of Newton, Kan., turned around and came back to help.

“As soon as we arrived at the scene, there was another young lady who worked for Legacy Livestock Imaging that had also stopped to help,” explains Megan Hobbs. “We immediately just jumped into action getting any and all water available to help cool the pigs down. At the beginning all we had was cooler water and water bottles. In those situations you don’t ask for permission, you just go with what your gut tells you to do.”

(Chad Rieck)

A Little Bit Ironic

When the York Fire Department showed up, they quickly went to work extinguishing the fire in the trailer. Hobbs says she kept running water back and forth from the firetruck to the people caring for the gilts alongside the road.

“God put us in the right place at the right time,” Hobbs says. “We trusted our gut turning around to go help as we just knew it was probably one of our own from the livestock industry that needed help.”

The firefighters on the scene also reached out to a firefighter in a nearby department, David May, who had show pigs.

“I received a call from dispatch when I was about 5 miles from my farm heading home with pigs from the show,” May says. “They said there was a vehicle fire involving a trailer with larger pigs and asked if I could help wrangle and haul the surviving pigs. Of course, I didn’t hesitate and was already on the move.”

May devised a plan to get his pigs off his trailer quickly and navigate through the piled-up interstate traffic.

“I had my 16-year-old daughter Braxtyn with me, so we began talking through things on the drive there,” May says. “I even joked with her, ‘It’s probably someone who kicked our butt today.’ But that didn’t cause either of us to hesitate to help however possible.”

When May got to the scene, he immediately recognized the pickup. It had been parked directly beside his truck during loadout about 45 minutes ago.

“I recognized the people and confirmed I didn’t know them,” May says. “I parked and walked up to assess and gather information. Within a minute, another Iowa trailer showed up to get the live hogs. We discussed what to do with the now two deceased pigs. I offered to put them on my trailer and dispose.”

After all the pigs were on trailers and the firefighters had inspected Rieck’s trailer to confirm it was safe to haul home, Rieck went over to talk to Braxtyn and thank her for coming to help.

Hollynn Rieck’s Champion Poland and Third Overall Purebred Breeding Gilt at Aksarben.

(Legacy Livestock Imaging)

“For some reason, I wanted to try to cheer this kid up who had just seen this devastation,” Rieck says. “I tried to distract her by asking if she showed a pig that day, and she said, ‘Yes, I was third place with my Poland gilt.’”

It was definitely a little ironic, both dads admit. Their kids had been competing against each other just a few hours earlier. They loaded their pigs up beside each other and took off about the same time. As they got back into their trucks and trailers for the second time that day, they both spent some time reflecting on their drive home.

A Case of Bad Luck

Hollynn drove her dad back in the truck and trailer because he was still in shock. All Rieck could think about was what he could have done differently.

“I saw a number of trailers roll right on by as we stood there with the trailer smoldering,” Rieck says. “I know the next time I see a car fire, I’m going to feel like Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights. I’m going to be like, ‘Don’t drive through it.’ Maybe I could have gotten in the ditch more, but that’s not safe either.”

It was the kind of incident that you could never predict, May says. Typically, a trailer fire starts with a bad wheel bearing, then the wheel gets hot or locks up. Eventually, the tire catches on fire and results in heavy black smoke that’s easily visible.

(Chad Rieck)

“Most livestock trailer fires start on the outside of the trailer,” May says. “But this fire started inside the trailer. This was a completely freak accident.”

The odds of something hot coming off the car at the precise moment Rieck drove by while also entering the trailer is one in trillions, he adds.

“It’s a bad-luck lottery. It could never have been predicted,” May says. “But, just like so many instances in life, you just have to react and adapt as plans change.”

Still, Rieck says he learned some valuable lessons going through this experience. He will make sure his next trailer has fire extinguishers. He won’t travel with his doors locked on his trailer. He’s also going to invest in some wireless cameras to put into his trailer.

Stock Show Support

When they returned home, a veterinarian confirmed the gilts who survived the trailer fire needed to be euthanized, as their injuries were too severe. Rieck says it was hard on Hollynn to walk through an empty pig barn the next day. Although it’s not an uncommon thing, as every show season comes to an end, this was not the ending she expected. She had high hopes of taking the Poland gilt to the American Royal in a few weeks.

Hollynn won Champion Poland China Gilt and Third Overall Purebred Breeding Gilt at Aksarben.

(Amy Rieck)

For Rieck, the hardest part was calling the breeders who leased them the gilts and telling them what happened.

“The personal financial portion of this isn’t much compared to having to contact those breeders and let them know about the fire,” Rieck says. “We work with Hunter Langholff to get some of our pigs. I can only imagine what the conversation was like with me screaming and yelling about the pigs right after it happened. I’ll never forget Hunter calmly saying, ‘Do not worry about that. These breeders will only care that you, Hollynn and Amy are fine. Pigs can be replaced.’”

With a few tears in his eyes, Rieck says he never wants to take his stock show friends for granted.

“Stock show people are pretty special,” he adds. “Because guess what? We all wanted to win that day. We raise our kids in the show ring and in the show barn for a reason. It’s so we can be around these people. My daughter is going to be a much stronger person because of the experiences that she’s had winning and losing in the show ring and yes, even going through this trailer fire.”

Hollynn says she’s already learned a lot from the fire.

“I am so thankful for all of the people who stopped to help us during our emergency,” she says. “This is living proof that the stock show industry is the best thing to be a part of. The amount of love, thoughts and prayers I have received from people has been astronomical. At the end of the day, I am just grateful my family is ok and that I will forever be a part of such an amazing industry.”

As May reflects on what happened, he says he’s not surprised by the overwhelming support people provided to the Rieck family.

“It’s what we do for each other in all aspects of agriculture, not just livestock,” May says. “I’m glad I was able to assist as needed here and glad my daughter was able to see value in helping others even when it’s not always pretty fairy dust and rainbows.”

Stock Show Kids Share What They Learned This Summer

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:55:50 GMT

Youth stock show exhibitors say there are a lot of things they love about showing livestock, but one of the answers heard time and time again is that they love the opportunity it provides to spend time with family and friends.

“In sports, your family’s all split up,” says Trevor Rhoads, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Barrow at the 2025 Illinois State Fair. “But with livestock shows, you’re always with your family. They’re always there and always helping you. It’s just good to be together as a family at these shows.”

Kastin Campbell, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Lamb, agrees. He thinks it’s also fun to try to win.

“You don’t just show up on show day and show your animal,” Rhoads adds. “It takes a lot of hard work and effort at home. The banners, ribbons and checks are a result of that. What you put into it is what you get out of it.”

For Lily Grobosky, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Goat, that’s her favorite part. She enjoys working with them at home and getting them ready to go into the ring.

Exhibitors from the 2025 Illinois State Fair share reflections and perspectives on their summer showing livestock.

What do you think is the most important lesson that you’ve learned at the State Fair this year?

“Hard work will pay off.” – Cash Kinsella, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog

“I’ve learned to be patient and kind to people when they ask questions, but also to take your time and talk to people and not be rushed in your responses.” – Kaolin Lewis, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Steer

“Keep grinding at what you do. Regardless of what you’ve achieved or what you haven’t achieved, keep trying and keep trying for more. I like building a connection with an animal, having that responsibility of taking care of them day-in and day-out, and learning from others along the way.” – Hunter Shike, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Barrow

“To be humble and be kind.” – Kastin Campbell, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Lamb

What do you wish people knew about showing livestock?

“All the hours that are spent in the barns during the week – whether it’s after practice, after school or all day in the summer. It’s a building process – you don’t just show up and win.” – Maddox Horner, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Goat

“It’s a lot of hard work. We put in countless hours waking up really early to walk in the morning, then you’re out there all day, tanning, skin care, and then out late at night. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, which can sometimes go unnoticed if you’re not in the livestock industry.” – Ashley Wiegand, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Barrow

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get them to do what you want so it takes a lot of long hours.” – Kaolin Lewis, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Steer

“Every single day you’ve got to work with them make sure they’re right.” – Kastin Campbell, exhibitor of Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Lamb

“I wish people knew just how much time and effort and how often we think about our animals. It’s not like we just go out to the barn for a couple hours a day and then forget about them. When we’re inside, out at our practices, or gone for something else, we’re still always thinking about our livestock projects and how they are doing.” – Hunter Shike, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Market Barrow

There's No Tired Like State Fair Tired

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:58:47 GMT

You don’t know tired until you know end-of-state-fair tired. I’m on day 1,247 of the state fair or so it feels today. I’m not sure what day of the week it is or what’s happening in the next hour. I know I showered today, but it probably wasn’t obvious as I was instantly covered in dirt, sweat and who knows what within my first hour in the barn.

I realize I am not the only one who feels this way as I’m greeted by fellow show parents suffering from the same affliction. We knowingly nod and putter on, cleaning pens, tidying up our tack areas and adding more ice to the cooler.

Sadly, state fair mini donuts and coffee aren’t enough to wake us from the state fair stupor.

But goodness, it’s a good kind of tired. It’s the kind of tired that reminds me there is nothing better than working hard for something and knowing you gave it your best.

It’s the kind of tired knowing that this week you anticipate all year is coming to an end, requiring you to move on to the next thing. But truth be told, you just want time to stand still for a few minutes so you can soak it all in through those tired eyes.

Because these are the moments we live for as show parents.

The fierce determination on her face as she takes her first sheep into the show ring at the state fair.

(Cindy’s Livestock Photos)
The conversations and coaching on the way to the show ring.

(Jennifer Shike)
The laughter of kids united by a common passion, kids who see the world through a different lens than others.

(Jennifer Shike)

The friend who always steps in to help without being asked.

(Jennifer Shike)

The smile she can’t contain as she shakes the judge’s hand.

(BROOKLYNN SALO/Cindy’s Livestock Photos)
The connection between kids and animals that reminds you there are some places in your heart that humans can’t fill.

(Jennifer Shike)

We live a lot of life in these show barns. Some of it’s fun to talk about and some of it’s not. But in the good times and in the tough times, we grow and we learn. We find out how to understand others better and we realize this world isn’t all about us. We get humbled, we get praised, we get hurt, we get redeemed, and we gain perspective.

These tired eyes aren’t just for lack of sleep during state fair week, but rather for a lot of life lived.

Parents aren’t the only tired ones!

(Jennifer Shike)

Read More: No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore

The Truth About Stock Show Moms

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:22:20 GMT

Stock show moms can’t be put in a box. From the mom who can feed barrows better than anyone in the barn to the mom who always has the best snacks for the kids, and from the mom who takes all the pictures to the mom who listens to everyone’s problems, it takes all kinds to make the show go on.

Emily Spray, a stock show mom of three from Indiana, says there is no shortage of lessons learned at stock shows. One of the most valuable she has learned from being a stock show mom is humility. If it’s not the animals, it’s the kids who humble you, she laughs.

The Spray family and friends at the 2024 Indiana State Fair.

(Lindsay Hanewich)

“The other day I saw a picture of a house with a long row of hydrangea bushes,” Spray says. “The owner was discouraged because there was only one bloom on that whole row of bushes. The owner said, ‘I’ve been fertilizing them the same way. I’ve been watering them the same way. They’ve all been tended to the same way. But I’m only getting one bloom on that bush.’”

Spray relates this to showing livestock and raising kids.

“We’re not just going to dig out all the bushes and plant something else,” Spray says. “We’re going to keep at it. We’re going to keep going. Sometimes when we’ve got these kids who have big goals, there’s a lot of stress, competitiveness and goals being made. You’re doing the right things. You’re walking them all the same, feeding them all the same, but you’re not getting those blooms.”

Motherhood is about teaching kids to keep doing the next right thing. And someday, Spray adds, they might have more blooms on all those bushes.

“Keeping things in perspective is a valuable lesson,” she says. “Being able to change, adapt and edit as you go is important because there’s not always one right answer.”

“Her flexibility with an ever changing and always busy schedule is probably her super power,” Makayla Spray (r) says about her mom Emily (l).

(Jennifer Shike)

Sometimes It’s Not Your Turn
Disappointments inevitably come when goals aren’t reached or hard things happen. Spray recalls a story about one of their best Hampshire gilts before the state fair.

“I’ll never forget when my husband Craig and daughter Makayla walked in from the barn,” she says. “I could tell there was something wrong.”

The gilt had shucked her hair. Because she had a thin belt to begin with, they knew the gilt would likely not be eligible to show as a Hampshire according to breed requirements.

“That led to some hard conversations about the right thing to do. Ultimately, we’re in this industry to teach our kids the right things to do. We had to sit down and say, ‘Okay, if this happens, this is how we’re going to handle it.’”

Emily Spray

During breed checks, the gilt didn’t pass. As she and Makayla walked out of the ring, Spray says she had to initiate another conversation to shift both of their perspectives.

“That week there was a family who had some teenagers coming to the state fair when they were in an awful wreck on the interstate,” Spray says. “There we were complaining we weren’t passing a breed check, but there was another family just down the road fighting for their life in the hospital. As hard as it was to say, ‘Okay, this is what we really wanted,’ we had to think about keeping the big things the big things.”

Sometimes it’s your turn, and sometimes it’s not, Spray says.

“In that moment it wasn’t Makayla’s turn,” she says. “Instead, she had a front row seat to the Hampshire show. It wasn’t from the middle of the ring like she wanted, but she sat in the front row and watched the entire show. Those are the moments that put that drive and desire in your heart – being so close to getting that goal – to come back and try again.”

Stop Comparing
New York Times bestselling author Shauna Niequist says, “You can compare and you can connect, but you cannot do both.”

Spray believes one of the biggest challenges parents face right now are social media highlight reels.

“So many of our kids are seeing all the wins, all the kids who are having success at all the shows across the nation,” she says. “That wasn’t a thing when we were kids. We saw who won the open show when we were there that day in living color. These kids are constantly seeing everyone’s highlight reel, so it’s easy for them in that moment to stop and compare themselves.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other families at shows.

(Craig Spray)

Spray wants to challenge people – kids and parents alike – to reframe that moment to connection instead.

“The best way to stop comparing is to find ways to connect,” she says. “I think there’s a lot of disconnect when it comes to being friends on social media. Have you ever had a conversation with that person? Do you know anything more than what you’re seeing on a screen about that person? How can you really get to know them?”

A few years ago, she had a t-shirt made for state fair that said, “You can’t compete with me.”

“When you read that first line, you think, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of proud.’ But the second line said, ‘I want you to win, too.’ When I wore that shirt, it confused a lot of people,” Spray says.

She remembers one dad who was particularly bothered by her shirt. He finally came up at the end of the day and asked her about it.

(Emily Spray)

“He said, ‘What do you mean? You don’t want your kid to win?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, I want my kid to win. But if you look at any other kid in this barn, it’s not like they just threw their pig on the trailer and decided to come to a show,” she says. “All of these kids have put in so many hours of work. And you know what? If your kid gets to win today, I’m going to clap for them, and I’m going to be happy for them.”

Keep the Big Things Big
The show barn is filled with people who share many common interests. It’s where true friendships are forged. For Spray, it’s worth remembering that as she strives to keep the big things big and the little things little.

“What are your big things? What is most important for you as a family?” she asks. “Is it winning a banner? Is it developing character? Is it enjoying what you’re doing? I think it looks different for every family, but taking that time to decide what means the most for your family is key to not letting all the other stuff get in the way.”

Episode 24 with Emily Spray is one you can’t miss.

(Jennifer Shike)

Even though it’s easy to judge others by what you see on the outside, Spray says the truth is that no mom has it all figured out.

“Look for that mom who’s in the season ahead of you,” she says. “Invite her to coffee and talk with her about the things she’s going through. That has been valuable for me, because when you’re in the thick of it – when you’re in the weeds and you can’t see beyond one day to the next – it’s helpful to have somebody who’s already paved that path ahead of you.”

Listen to The PORK Podcast to find out how Spray’s social media persona, The Funny Fair Mom, came to be, why she chooses to redirect when life gets stressful, and helpful hacks every show family needs to know before state fair season. Watch this episode on YouTube or listen anywhere podcasts are found.

Don’t Let Activists Spoil the Fun this Fair Season

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:25:46 GMT

As we move into fair season this year, there are so many reasons to be excited! It’s a time to get out and visit with friends and neighbors, eat delicious snacks, and celebrate the hard work that youth put into raising livestock for shows. As a member of the agricultural community, this is also an invaluable time to reach outside the bubble and engage with the public about agriculture and where our food comes from. However, there are often detractors attempting to sway public opinion and, in some cases, even protest these events.

In recent years, animal rights groups have been known to protest with a variety of tactics, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) bringing their “Hell on Wheels” vehicle to the fairgrounds. This initiative from PETA is a large truck that is meant to look like it is transporting pigs – it also claims to be loud, playing “the screams of panicked animals.” Last year, this truck made an appearance at several Midwest state fairs and is currently circling the U.S. with recent stops in Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois.

Other tactics seen at fairs and expos last year include animal rights groups handing out stickers and other pamphlets. It was reported that a group of animal rights supporters previously handed out what seemed like coupons to fair attendees. These coupons claimed to be for free fair food, like turkey legs and pulled pork sandwiches, but when you scanned the QR code, it would take you to a website in support of their vegan cause.

Fairs have also been the target of animal rights groups protesting birthing centers, specifically those highlighting pork production. While this is a great experience for fair attendees to potentially see piglets born up close (and the care that goes into this practice), animal rights groups have used this as an opportunity to protest sow housing and farrowing stalls.

Unfortunately, animal rights activist organizations see fairs as a major opportunity to spread misinformation about our industry and to diminish the great work done in the agricultural community. The good news? There are some steps fair organizers and exhibitors can take to keep security top of mind and keep the fun times rolling:

• All events should have a crisis plan outlining who should do what in various scenarios – protests, disruptions, etc. Crisis plans can also address natural disasters, accidents and other issues that may arise during the event. During this planning process, local law enforcement should be consulted about how to handle activist activity at fairs.

• Keep an eye out for suspicious activity: people carrying signs or other protest materials, someone taking a strange amount of photos/videos or recording with their phone (livestreaming is a common practice), individuals asking very direct questions, etc. Report any concerns immediately to fair management.

• Avoid confrontation. Activists want attention – please avoid giving it to them. Keep your cool and let law enforcement or event management handle any issues.

I hope that this is truly a great fair season for everyone and that you don’t let the actions of animal rights groups stand in the way of this great opportunity to interact with the public and share what truly supports pig farming in the U.S. – great farm families, starting with youth!

Abby Kornegay is the manager of issues and engagement for the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

Here’s What Hofschulte Genetics Did When Facebook Shut Down Their Business Page

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:11:07 GMT

In 2019, Facebook unexpectedly shut down Hofschulte Genetics’ business page. In one second, years of audience-building and customer relationships were lost for Chris and Kaitlyn Hofschulte, showpig breeders in Miami, Okla.

“We soon realized we weren’t alone,” Kaitlyn Hofschulte says. “Breeders and farmers across the country were being censored or losing access to their communities due to Facebook’s policies prohibiting the sale of animals, especially live ones, on Marketplace and business pages.”

(Provided by Chris and Kaitlyn Hofschulte)

Instead of giving up on the idea of building community and increasing the reach of their business on a social platform, the Hofschultes developed an ag-friendly alternative app, StockLink, that lets producers sell livestock and genetics without fear of pages or posts being removed.

“The livestock industry needs an app like StockLink because we do not have a social media platform that is safe to market our livestock and products,” she says. “Most platforms are anti-ag and do not want to see us succeed – making it against their rules for us to speak freely on selling livestock and any animal product.”

StockLink will be available in Apple and Google stores mid/late July.

(StockLink)

During The Exposition in Indianapolis on June 9-12, the Hofschultes launched a preview of StockLink for the show pig industry.

“The response was unbelievable at the Exposition,” Hofschulte says. “We had tons of people and businesses reaching out to us asking how they could be one of the first to access the app.”

StockLink will be available in Apple and Google stores mid/late July. While general users of StockLink can browse, buy and connect for free, if you are a breeder, ranch/farm, ag business, etc., Hofschulte says you’ll be able to download and upgrade to a StockLink Pro account for $21.99/a month.

“With the pro account you will be able to have a visible business profile that you can customize, create general and marketplace posts and connect with potential customers,” Hofschulte explains. “If you’re a buyer or interested in the industry you will have a free general account that is hidden that lets you follow businesses, favorite posts to go back to see later, publicly comment and like, and message.”

StockLink is for everyone who is interested in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other businesses that help make the stock show industry what it is today, Hofschulte adds.

“This is an app designed for livestock producers, by livestock producers,” she says. “Let’s get away from anti-ag platforms that do not want us to succeed and switch to an app that will link our livestock industry together.”

Your Next Read: Show Pig Exhibitors: Future Talent the U.S. Pork Industry Needs

Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Livestock-Lovin’ Mama

Thu, 08 May 2025 20:43:43 GMT

When you find yourself in a jam, she’s the first one you call. She’s the glue of your family, the wiper of tears and the one who keeps everyone going. Her love is a love that fiercely protects, wisely counsels and lasts forever. From fixing your boo-boos to reminding you of your worth, there’s nothing like the love of a mother.

But enter in the ‘livestock’ mom and you get just a little more. She’s not afraid to make you work because she knows the hard work and extra responsibility will make you more prepared for life. Her sensitivity and perspective extend beyond others because she knows the heartaches that only livestock production can provide. She knows just when to celebrate the wins and when to push you just a little more.

Here’s a look at six moms through the eyes of their sons and daughters. They share how their moms helped inspire a life-changing love for agriculture and livestock.

Jodi Sterle is mother to two and undergraduate teaching coordinator and professor of animal science at Iowa State University.

(Sterle Family)

Jodi Sterle
By Jake Sterle, her son
Growing up on a family farm, my passion for animal agriculture developed naturally at a young age. But the official beginning came when my parents decided to get a few pigs for my brother Jackson and me to show at the 2005 National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) Summer Type Conference in Louisville, Ky. At the time, Mom was serving on the NJSA Youth Advisory Board, and one of her responsibilities was to attend the Summer Type Conference. Since she was going anyway, she figured why not bring the family and a few pigs? This was the foundation for my passion for the swine industry. Fast forward 20 years. Both Jackson and I are still actively involved in the industry. Jackson is beginning a master’s program at Iowa State University in swine production data management, and I continue to remain active in my role at NPPC. Our mom has supported and encouraged us every step of the way and I truly believe there’s no better industry my parents could have raised us in.

For as long as I can remember, she has gone above and beyond. She continues to serve and give back her time on advisory boards, county fair boards, and even serving as the 4-H swine show superintendent at the Iowa State Fair. She comes from a rich pedigree of servant leaders, and that mindset has been instilled into me. Service can be demanding and often thankless, but, at the end of the day, service is all about one life positively impacting another, and this, my mother is no stranger to.

Jake Sterle serves as director of industry resource development for the National Pork Producers Council.

Kim Caldwell is mother to three, wife to Todd, and owner of The LulaBarn.

(Caldwell Family)

Kim Caldwell
By Maddison Caldwell, her daughter
My mom grew up on a row crop operation and showed Angus cattle, so agriculture was part of her DNA. But she never forced it on us. Instead, she gave us the tools and space to figure out what we loved, and it just so happened that agriculture kept showing up in the most meaningful ways. I don’t think that was by accident. My parents’ love story was rooted in agriculture—they met through the livestock industry and built a life around it. They never had to tell us to pursue this industry; they showed us what it meant to live and love in it. Watching them pour their hearts into something bigger than themselves, something that brought people together — that’s what made us fall in love with agriculture.

My mom has truly done it all — not in terms of careers, but in the number of lives she’s touched. She started as a NICU nurse, taking care of babies every day — some of whom she held as they took their final breaths, all while quietly walking through her own journey with infertility. Today, she does something completely different. She runs The LulaBarn, selling clothing out of a machine shed in our backyard — and she’s one of the top five sellers in her company nationwide. That might sound like a huge shift, but the heart of it is the same: she continues to serve, to care, to bring joy to others in her own unique way. No matter what chapter she’s in, my mom shows up for people, and that’s what makes her unforgettable.

Maddie Caldwell is the Inside Sales Team lead for Compeer Financial.

Dorthy Jean Stateler was mother to two and wife to Merrill.

(Stateler Family)

Dorthy Jean Stateler
By Duane Stateler, her son
When I was about 5 years old, we had an International 300 utility tractor that I could drive. Mom could not find me one day and when she came looking, she found me behind the barn. I had hooked up an old three-bottom plow with a rope trip behind the tractor to help dad plow. But I couldn’t figure out how to trip the rope because it was too short for me to reach. She went and got a blanket, put it on the toolbox behind the seat and told me, ‘Let’s go find your dad in the field.’ When we got back to the lane, we pulled over to where dad was and he got off the tractor and exclaimed “What are you two doing? That hasn’t been used in years. Mom replied ‘Now Merrill, I will pull the rope at the end of the field if you help set the plow.’ Dad’s irritation turned into a smile and mom rode back there for two hours as we helped Dad finish the field. Need I say any more?

My mom touched so many individuals and families in our community through her music. She was an organist at church since high school. I have no idea how many weddings and funerals she played for over her 70 years of playing. I am frequently reminded by community members thanking me for mom’s contribution to their memories.

Duane Stateler is an Ohio pig farmer and president of the National Pork Producers Council.

Mary Bloomberg is mother to three and an ICU nurse.

(Bloomberg Family)

Mary Bloomberg
By Blake Bloomberg, her son
Mom instilled in her children the values of responsibility, attention to detail and resilience – traits essential in both medicine and livestock work. But beyond that, she encouraged our early curiosity by bringing us to the barn before or after shifts, supporting 4-H or FFA involvement, and simply treating our passion like it mattered. She never said no!

She is extremely resilient and does not know a stranger. She is wonderful with people and leaves a lasting impact on all those that come in contact with her. She has dealt with a lot over the last three years since dad’s tragic accident, but I am proud of her resiliency and of being her son.

Blake Bloomberg is a professor at Black Hawk College – East Campus.

Hannah Miller is a senior at Prairie Central High School in Illinois.

(Miller Family)

Tammy Miller
By Hannah Miller, her daughter
From the second I was born, my mom has surrounded me with the agricultural world. As a sixth- generation purebred swine producer, my mom helped me grow my love for the industry. I remember some of the first times I started helping her in the farrowing house. That’s where I truly started growing a love for production agriculture. She is always the first person I know to advocate and use her voice to positively promote agriculture. She utilizes every opportunity to educate others about agriculture and I aspire to do the same.

I wish people knew how hard she works and how much time she puts into things while still having a servant’s heart and being there for others. In my life, I truly hope I can be half the woman that my mom is. She is constantly working and getting things done for her jobs as well as our family while still helping me with anything I ask for and having time to help others.

Hannah Miller is a senior at Prairie Central High School in Illinois.

Jeantee Keppy is mother to two, wife to Loren, friend to many and most importantly MiMi to her grandkids.

(Keppy Family)

Jeantee Keppy
By Kaylee Keppy-McDonnell, her daughter
For someone that moved to a farm in eastern Iowa after getting married and grew up a city girl, I can only imagine the adjustment. I’m thankful my mom is a strong woman who has encouraged us all to embrace the farm. She has always allowed my dad to dig deep into his farm roots and has stood right by his side in every new ag adventure they get into. From pork producers’ meetings to running meals to the field, she has certainly embraced the lifestyle that ag brings. I love how she has always supported our love showing and judging livestock in the ways she knew she could help, like collecting ribbons, taking pictures, ironing clothes, having food prepped and cheering us on from the sidelines. You know, the things behind the scene you don’t really take time to appreciate until you’re a parent yourself!

She’s seriously the best cook around, you think you don’t have any food in the house and the next thing you know you have the best meal you’ve ever had and she made something out of nothing. To know Tee Keppy is to love her, her genuine heart makes her one of the good ones. And we still don’t know how she ages backwards but we love the fact she is ours.

Kaylee Keppy-McDonnell is director of retail business at United Animal Health.

Your Next Read: What Makes a Good Mom?

What’s in Your Show Animal Feed? 4 Things You Should Know

Tue, 06 May 2025 19:44:27 GMT

Show animals require special diets. Regardless of whether you are feeding cattle, pigs, goats or sheep, all animals need some of the same basic nutrients. These include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The animal species, weight and desired endpoint will determine how much of each your animal needs.

When it comes time to balance your livestock feed rations, you will want ingredients from a trusted feed manufacturer or mill. Here are four things to look for when reading the tags on your show animal feed:

1. Product Name
The product name seems like a no-brainer until you start mixing feed for several animals and each bag has a similar name, with just different numbers on it. Then, the confusion sets in! Use a sharpie to write on each bag your “barn name” for the products so there is no confusion. A simple number or medicated vs. non-medicated or meal vs pellets can make a difference in the animals’ diets.

2. Medication Withdrawal or Residue Instruction
This information tells you if any medication is in the feed and the withdrawal length for that medication. With VFD or Veterinary Feed Directives, these are less common than they used to be, but they do still exist. This is the most important information on the tag. You must pay close attention to this information, especially if feeding an animal for a show or one that is ultimately going into the food supply chain.

3. Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis breaks down the amounts of nutrients in each feed. However, each company lists their analyses differently, and the feeder needs to pay careful attention. For example, some companies list minimums, and others list maximums. Read the tag closely to be sure you are getting the proper amount of a nutrient such as protein, fat or fiber to reach your animal’s optimal potential. A more in-depth guaranteed analysis will also list vitamin and mineral content.

4. Ingredient Profile
This lists the actual ingredients in the bag of feed, starting with the highest volume ingredient down to the lowest volume. It is important to realize that all feedstuffs are not created equally. Feed A with 20% protein may not be the same quality as Feed B, which is also listed with 20% protein. Both companies might use ingredients that total up to 20% protein, but the chances are that one of them will use higher-quality resources that will benefit your animal.

Learn more.

Your next read: I’ll Never Regret Giving Them the Stock Show Life

Dan Hoge Opens Up About 55-Year Career Training Future Stock Show Judges

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:45:28 GMT

What will the champions in the show ring look like in five years? That’s a question Dan Hoge, one of the winningest livestock judging coaches in history, thinks about constantly. Trends come and trends go. It’s not easy to stay relevant while being nimble enough to see what’s coming and evolve to get there.

But Hoge’s ability to do just that as a coach, judge and breeder for decades is what sets him apart from others, says Blake Bloomberg, professor and head livestock judging team coach at Black Hawk College East Campus.

“Dan has been at the top of his profession for over 50 years, and is still sought after for his input,” Bloomberg adds. “His impact on his students and his influence beyond the classroom is undeniable.”

Hoge says his interest and passion in the livestock industry keeps him constantly learning and searching for what’s next. He’s an avid scholar – always reading about livestock, studying photos of champions and talking about trends in the industry with people he admires.

“The miles never made any difference to me,” Hoge says. “If there was a symposium going on or if Dr. Harlan Ritchie was speaking about the cattle industry, I found a way to be there. I pay attention to what legendary breeders like Chuck Olson and Earl Cain are doing in the swine industry. Of course, there are always new breeders coming along who are going to dictate, to a necessary extent, where the industry will go next.”

At the end of the day, good livestock will always be in vogue, he says. There will be changes in priorities. Trends will shift. But the best stockmen are open-minded and always looking to see what is coming in the future. He believes the ability to evaluate livestock and read differences in phenotype is essential to it all.

What Coaching Is and What It’s Not
That’s why coaching young adults in livestock judging has been Hoge’s passion .What’s the secret to his coaching success? He says there’s no curriculum to teach you how to be a livestock judging coach, it’s a lot of learning as you go and caring about who you coach.

“Coaching is 80% what’s in your heart and 20% what’s in your mind,” Hoge says. “It’s really believing in the young people who are involved in your program. It’s reaching out and knowing their goals, interests and expectations.”

Dan Hoge’s ability to connect with every audience is one of greatest strengths.

(Jennifer Shike)

Livestock judging is a very inexact art, he points out. It is not a science, it’s a skill developed over time that is subject to the opinion of someone else.

“It’s important the student feels good about themselves at every step of their development,” he says. “It’s about inching along and making progress.”

When it comes to coaching kids to excel in livestock judging competitions, Hoge believes in helping young people finish strong.

“It’s not a question of where you start, it’s a question of where you finish,” Hoge says. “That has always been the mindset I have instilled in our student judges over the years. It’s one of the real values you can take with you in life.”

When You Step Out into the Ring
There’s no shortage of ways to use the skills developed judging livestock and describing them, Hoge adds. For many young people he mentors, their end goal is to judge a livestock show.

Dan Hoge at the Oklahoma Youth Expo

(Oklahoma Youth Expo)

“I remind young judges that every show is important, regardless of how small it may be,” Hoge says. “If there are two head of livestock at an event, that’s a livestock show. Go give it your best.”

As livestock judging has grown in popularity and more contests have popped up across the country, the level of talent has grown, too.

“I often tell our younger judging generation that, believe me, no one is interested in how smart you are and how poor their livestock are,” Hoge says. “They’re interested in your positivity, how you work with the youth, and how you make sure every youth involved in that show felt they had a fair look and an opportunity to feel good about their project and themselves. I don’t know if we have enough of that today.”

He reminds young judges to stop and take a breath before they step out of their vehicle when they arrive at a show.

“Ask yourself, ‘Why am I here?’” Hoge says. “The smartest thing you can do as a show judge at a county fair, and I’ve judged many, is study the atmosphere as you walk to the show ring. When you walk into that ring and meet the superintendents for the first time, that awareness of the atmosphere will provide a pretty good handle on what the show is going to be like.”

The most important thing a show judge brings to any event is their opinion and comfort in knowing what they are looking for in a champion. Although judges can only use what’s brought to them to evaluate, knowing where you want to finish is necessary, Hoge adds.

The little things matter, he says, from how you speak to people working in the ring to how you connect with the crowd. Judges have the opportunity to serve as another bridge between the showmen and their projects and the spectators.

“You can’t expect the urban sector to understand the care and management people put into their livestock or how great of a life their show livestock have,” Hoge says. “When you judge or show livestock, make a commitment to do things right and always be a voice of positivity in the industry. Be proud of what we do.”

Go watch The PORK Podcast Episode 17 with Dan Hoge to learn more about his perspective on the misconceptions people have about the stock show industry today, what he’s most proud of in his life, teaching students for 55 years and counting, and how he anticipates the livestock industry changing in the future.

Your Next Read: Thank You Mr. Hoge

Texas Teen Charged with Deadly Conduct After Letting Steers Loose at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:54:48 GMT

A Texas teenager was arrested and charged with deadly conduct for his behavior at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 19.

Alonso Apodaca, a 17-year-old fairgoer, was worried the steers were tied up too tightly, ABC 13 News reports. He went up to a steer, took off its halter and let it loose. Then, he continued to do this for another steer, the article says.

He went up to a third steer and was petting it when someone asked him not to do that, ABC 13 reports. He was tackled to the ground and handcuffed soon after this.

Apodaca was charged with deadly conduct, a misdemeanor. He was taken to jail where he remained overnight as his mother told local reporters that she wanted to teach him to control his actions and emotions better. The teenager took responsibility for his decisions and later told ABC 13 News that he learned an important lesson to think before taking action next time.

Although none of the steers got out and nobody was injured, stock show officials expressed their concern about the unpredictability and danger of loose 1,200+ lb. animals in a crowd of people.

A record-breaking 2.7 million people attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year.

(Brianna Knowlton/Next Level Images)

Show Livestock Require Proper Animal Handling Skills
While show cattle might appear calm and friendly, they still require experienced handling and restraint, says Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble Judge Jon DeClerck.

“For the safety of both the public and our exhibitors, it is critical no one interacts with livestock without the owner’s permission and assistance,” says DeClerck, incoming executive vice president of the American Simmental Association. “A loose steer in a busy environment can pose serious risks, from injuring pedestrians and junior exhibitors to causing accidents. As a judge we greatly appreciate everyone’s respect for these animals and the hard work exhibitors put into their care and safety.”

Signs clearly ask people not to touch the animals. This is not only for the safety of animals and fairgoers, but also for the health of both animals and people.

A record-breaking 2.7 million people attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year. A crew of 35,000 volunteers give their time to help make the 20-day event that brings in more than 12,000 head of livestock a success.

Know the ‘Why’ Behind Proper Show Conduct
Jeff Langemeier, one of the event’s volunteers with decades of experience in the stock show industry, says the majority of the volunteers come from cities and there is a need for more rural volunteers who have livestock experience. That’s one of the reasons why he volunteers to help at the show – to help share his practical knowledge of the livestock industry in this volunteer role.

“This instance brings to the forefront the safety of all attending and these valuable projects are of the utmost priority,” Langemeier says. “Safety protocols are in place for all committees and instilled in the behaviors of all involved.”

Beyond the component of human and animal safety, it is important for exhibitors to be diligent and engaging in the ‘why’ behind their conduct at livestock shows, particularly with large public crowds, says Clay Zwilling, CEO of the National Swine Registry.

“We often take for granted our daily and routine tasks,” Zwilling says. “This is an example of stepping back and thinking about why we may have common practices, or more importantly, how we remain diligent to protect fairgoers and fellow exhibitors.”

Emily Ellis, director of communications and content for Animal Agriculture Alliance, agrees that this story emphasizes the continued need for members of the animal agriculture community to proactively communicate what they’re doing on the farm and why certain practices are important for animal welfare, animal health, environmental stewardship and other valued issues.

“This highlights the unintended consequences of members of the public taking matters into their own hands when they don’t understand or agree with a practice being used in agriculture,” Ellis says. “In some instances, as it appears in this case, it’s due to a misunderstanding. In other instances, it’s connected to more extreme ideologies like animal rights activism.”

Zwilling adds that everyone is very lucky that no people or animals were hurt or caused themselves or others damage.

Your Next Read: Viral Videos Fuel Interest in Pig Shows

How My Insecurities Made Me More Grateful

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:33:39 GMT

Do you ever dwell on what you think you lack?

Not long ago, I was in San Angelo, Texas, getting ready to speak to a group of about 350 kids and parents at Lackey Livestock’s Training Day. I was excited to share some of my story while encouraging the attendees to be brave and share theirs. The theme was YOUR Story with an emphasis on “our” – the idea that “your story is our story” because our collective story has power to change the world and make an impact.

I couldn’t have loved this theme more. It’s why I do what I do. I spent hours trying to think through my approach. The more time I spent thinking about it, the more I found myself focusing on what I felt like I didn’t have.

I wasn’t fun enough.
I wasn’t motivational enough.
I wasn’t prepared enough.
I wasn’t smart enough.
Even my outfit wasn’t cool enough.

Shift Your Focus
I tried to shift my focus to what I knew to be true. At the core it’s simple - I love being able to connect with people – and in this case, families who share the same passions as mine. I knew this door was opened for a reason. I had to let go of my insecurities and trust any mistake I might make would be forgiven because I was going to be surrounded by good people.

I think that’s what I appreciate most about the gift of gratitude. Gratitude is not just a response to our circumstances – it’s an attitude we’re called to develop. Gratitude isn’t a gift – it’s something we are called to work on and grow.

Once I shifted my mind from focusing on what I lacked to being grateful for the opportunity before me, everything changed. I walked up to the stage with confidence, trusting God with everything I felt I lacked in that moment, and I spoke from the heart.

Be A Little More Vulnerable
Not only did I share my story, but I weaved in stories I’ve helped tell over the years. I shared how those stories helped open my eyes, change my perspective and most importantly, grow me.

At the end of my time on stage, I shared a little from my story about Maddison Caldwell . I knew it was risky because my audience was a mix of ages. I carefully talked about mental health – the reality that life isn’t easy, and we shouldn’t assume so much about other people.

I shared that Maddison had reached out to me recently to let me know she met a farmer at a conference who shared he was at a breaking point in his life. Suicide felt like his only option. But at just the right time, he ran across this story , which led him to Maddison’s story . Because of those stories, he stopped what he was about to do and chose to keep fighting in life. He told her he didn’t want his family to suffer like Maddison’s did.

When she told me that over a text, I didn’t even know how to respond. I broke down in tears. I still get emotional every time I think about Maddison’s encounter with the farmer. A life was saved because someone chose to be honest and vulnerable about their struggles.

There is Power in Your Experience
When I got done speaking that day in San Angelo, conversation after conversation confirmed that when we let go of our insecurities, incredible things can happen. I know it’s not always easy to share our stories, but there’s power in our vulnerability and honesty as humans.

As the holiday season approaches, I’m encouraged to not only share stories with my loved ones and friends, but to also truly listen and help people open up about theirs. This year hasn’t been an easy one for many people, but there’s great power in those stories of struggle – much more than our stories of “wins” if we’re being honest.

How can you stop focusing on your insecurities and let your story help someone else?

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9 Livestock Showmanship Tips for Success

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:24:53 GMT

Every once in a while, there is a bond that is so strong that it can only exist between exhibitor and the animal. But that bond takes time together, hours of practice and patience. Once that bond is created, the duo can be a force to be reckoned with in a livestock showmanship competition.

Livestock showmanship is unlike most classes that the judge will evaluate at a show. In this special class, the exhibitor, not the animal, is judged on how well they present their animal. Showmanship skills develop over time. Although some exhibitors have more finesse than others, there are definite traits and skills that you will need to sort your way to the top of the class.

Here are 9 livestock showmanship tips for success:

1. The Work Begins at Home
Don’t go to a show and think you are ready to win a showmanship contest just because your animal is show broke. Have you practiced showing your animal at home? Have you regularly practiced and anticipated every scenario?

The key to having a successful relation-ship with your animal – every show animal – is working diligently with them at home. That means spending time walking them, time on the wash rack, working hair and skin and in a mock show ring set-ting.

For cattle, lambs and goats, practice the following:
• Leading
• Setting feet & legs and eventually “walking” them into a set
• Keeping their heads up at the desired level
• Bracing (lambs & goats)
• Side profile views
• Side-by-side views
• Avoiding show ring holes
• Pulling out and circling in the proper motion

For pigs, practice:
• Driving with their heads elevated
• Driving your pig for long periods to build stamina
• Keeping the pig between you and the judge
• Penning your pig when asked
• Going to a scale
• Changing sides while driving
• Keeping your pig out of show ring holes
• Stopping and keeping your pig relaxed at the judge’s request

2. The Value of Show Ring Presence
Troy Goretska, BioZyme Area Sales Manager for Iowa and Illinois, has raised four kids with various species in and around the show ring. He said that exhibitors who aim to win livestock showmanship need to have show ring presence and awareness.

“It is critical that kids go up and watch a few classes be-fore their class to see how a judge is working the class,” Goretska said. “Is the judge pulling from bottom to top or top to bottom? Is he sending animals to the scale, and if so, how many does he weigh in each class?”

A general ring awareness before even entering the ring tells the judge that you are here for business. You’ve done your homework. Scope out any uneven ground in the ring, and avoid holes or low ground, which can make your animal look off.

3. Show your Animal to Win
Although livestock showmanship is about the exhibitor’s skills, your animal should be calm and broke enough to show like you would in any confirmation class. Goretska encourages exhibitors to show their animals in showmanship as they would in class and show their animals in class as they would in showmanship – to win.

“There is no need to do anything special to present your animal in showmanship. Know the show ring, know the judge and go out and make your animal look the best you can,” he said.

4. Little Things Add Up
You’ve done your work at home. You’ve watched the classes at the show and know who the judge is and how she works. Now, it is time for the details. Here are a few details that could be the difference between first and second place in your next live-stock showmanship competition.

5. Look Professional
At Sure Champ, we don’t care what brand of jeans, shirt or shoes you wear. It looks like you care and didn’t roll out of bed at 4 a.m. (even if you did). Dark jeans, a tucked-in shirt and a belt look nice on a young exhibitor. We know that some species get a little more relaxed, and when it gets hot, young la-dies like a cooler more flowing shirt. However, for showmanship, a tucked-in shirt looks best.

6. Caps Off, Hair Back
Looking professional starts at the top. If you are a girl or young lady with long hair, please keep it out of your face. Many styles exist for longer hair, but a simple ponytail, braid or bun keeps your hair under control so you can focus on your animal and not your hair.

While many people like to sport a Western hat, keep the ball caps off. A cap says you are covering up messed up hair or serving as a walking billboard. A cowboy hat is classy and looks nice as long as it is in season, but please keep your ball caps at your show box.

7. No Gum Zone
The show ring is no place for chewing gum. The more nervous you get, the more apt you are to chomp away. Yes, that might catch the judge’s eye, but it isn’t the type of attention you want in the ring. Be sure to spit your gum out before the event begins.

8. Be Prepared with Equipment
Before you even head to the staging area or make-up area, ensure you have everything you need to present your animal. Do you have a show stick or scotch comb for your calf? A brush and whip for your pig? The right halter or chain for your small ruminant?

9. One Chance to Make a First Impression
No matter if it is your first showmanship class or your last, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Take your animal into the ring with confidence. Know where the judge is and know how to present your animal to look its absolute best.

Shelia Grobosky is the content and public relations administrator for BioZyme Inc .

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