Show Season Advice From a Judge’s Perspective
The temps are rising here in the Midwest and the countdown to county and state fairs is getting smaller by the day, and show barn work is going into overdrive. As I get ready to hit the road for a busy summer judging shows, I thought this would be the perfect time to highlight some of the little things that I see from a judge’s angle that may help exhibitors get ready for their big day. The amount of juniors that are reading this off of our blog may be slim, so if you are a parent, livestock enthusiast, or just came here in search of agronomy news, please pass this on to a junior in your area that could benefit from an outside perspective.
Showmanship:
Showmanship is single handily one of the best things that juniors can work on to help benefit themselves in the ring. It doesn’t matter what your livestock looks like or how much money has been spent, every kid has the ability to continuously get better at showmanship. It is important that when you are at home to make it a priority to work with your animals a couple of nights a week, if not every night of the week; practice makes perfect. With cattle, for example, work on walking them into their set up and do it repeatedly, so you and your calf get comfortable going through the motions. If you and the calf get good at walking into a set up not only will you be ready for the judge to evaluate your calf, but I will promise that your calf will act like a pro in the ring. There are many questions that get asked during showmanship, and personally my favorite question for any age is what would you change about your animal? It may seem simple and an odd question to ask, but I firmly believe that in order to give yourself the edge in terms of showmanship you have to know where your animal needs to be improved.
Daily Care:
As many may know, the environment that your animals are in play a huge role in the success of that animal’s growth and development. Every animal may have a different genetic potential in terms of their growth and phenotype, but giving them every opportunity to maximize their potential is in your control. Water tanks should always be full of fresh, clean water and any old, leftover feed should be removed from feed bunks. Bedding should always be fresh and picked clean multiple times a day, and completely replaced when needed. Clean bedding not only makes your animal more comfortable but it also helps keeps their skin and hair in optimum condition. I think a great way to make sure you are providing an optimum environment (as well as accomplishing all of your tasks) is establish a routine. Make a list of what all needs to be done and then establish how much time you need to complete each item.
With today’s standards of structural integrity, it is imperative to include exercise into your daily routine. In the hot summer months, most animals stay in the barn under fans and are confined for many hours of the day, if not all the time. So, no matter what species you are exhibiting it is extremely important to exercise morning and night to maintain structural soundness.
Sportsmanship & Attitude:
Growing up I was told that attitude is everything and a positive attitude in and out of the ring is a key part to success. Every now and then while I am in the ring judging there is usually an exhibitor that expresses their frustration for how they have been placed and a judge can usually pick up on that right away. I know that there are days upon days of hard work for only ten minutes in the ring, but what every junior needs to remember is that you cannot win every time. If you do not do as well as you wanted to or expected to, then all you can to do is go home, work harder and prepare for the next time in the show ring. Winning and losing graciously not only makes you a better person but it gains you respect from others around you. Being a good sport and understanding that it is only one person’s opinion on one day will get you much further than being upset with the outcome of the show.
Another thing to remember is to show appreciation for the help and support that you receive along the way. Thanking those who help you achieve your goals and give you the opportunity to exhibit livestock is extremely important. It doesn’t matter if it is your parent, 4-H/FFA leader, show sponsor or ring help a simple “thank you” can go a very long way.
Nutrition:
To maximize opportunities for success, proper nutrition for your animal is something that needs to have a strong emphasis from day one. The animal nutrition industry is as advanced and competitive as it has ever been, and with the amount of feeds and supplements on the market, it gives junior livestock exhibitors as much of an edge as ever before. Not only are today’s leading feed manufacturers and distributors delivering great products but they all have industry experts and leaders behind the brands to help in the selection and daily management of feeds and supplements. Moral of the story, align yourself with a good nutritionist or feed dealer, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what products to use and how to feed them!
Stutsman’s not only has a passion for animal agriculture but many of us have strong roots to livestock exhibition. We strive to support local 4-H and FFA activities as well as helping our customers in whatever way possible. Whether it is feed, supplements, show supplies or advice, our knowledgeable team and great line up of products gives our dealers and their customers the tools for success in and out of the ring.
To learn about our lineup of show products visit the Feed Ingredients Product Page, and locate your local Stutsman dealer here.