The skills and dedication of raising livestock was on display Wednesday as students took to the show ring for the goat categories at the San Juan County Fair.
Livestock shows highlight the student focus toward their animals that requires early mornings, late nights and setbacks in preparing for that moment.
County fairs allow the community to look behind the scenes at the work behind agriculture, the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association said in a news release ahead of the season.
“A ribbon is awarded in a few minutes, but earning the chance to compete takes months,” said Tom Paterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association. “These young people learn that an animal must be fed and cared for every day, whether they are tired, busy, winning, or disappointed. That is responsibility in its most practical form.”
Exhibitors learn record-keeping, budgeting, sportsmanship, and how to accept both success and disappointment with grace.
For Claudia Preator, junior from the La Plata community, that real-world experience of the agriculture industry was losing thousands of dollars when she had to put down a steer this year.
“He had a genetic condition which made him less strong – he had pendulum swinging leg – it’s a genetic from a bull that completely shuts them down,” she said.
Preator said she is involved with 4-H and has worked with a Colorado adviser to learn more about her cattle and the trade.
By being involved with 4-H or FFA, students said they learn confidence above all.
Phallen Carlston, who was crowned grand champion in the division 3 market goat show and placed reserve for San Juan County bred, said her self-confidence has grown since showing.
Carlston is a recent graduate of Kirtland Central High School and plans to study animal science while staying in San Juan County to also help students who want to get into the industry.
Placing in several shows felt great to Carlston, who spent several late nights at the barn, working on showmanship, exercising her goats and investing in supplements.
Yesenia Pedroza, junior at KCHS, said she also dedicates all her time during the week with her animals and working with them on exercises like walking them on a treadmill to build butt muscle.
“If I’m lucky, I get two days off,” she said. “With rabbits, you’re clipping their nails, cleaning their cages, making sure they’re not getting coccidiosis, getting them fat and then turning that fat into muscle.”
Pedroza placed in several shows for lamb and goat, received grand champion in showmanship at the poultry barn, grand champion for waterfowl and second for showmanship at the rabbit barn.
New Mexico State University is the next step for Pedroza, who plans to study agriculture business.
“The most meaningful way to tell a young person that agriculture matters is to show up,” Paterson said. “Walk through the livestock barn. Ask an exhibitor about the animal he or she raised. Sit in the stands. Bid at the sale if you can. A community’s presence tells these young people that their work – and their future – are worth investing in.”
Inside the steer barn, Craygen Lucero, senior at Bloomfield High School, was surrounded by family as she prepared Jefferson.
It was the first year for Jefferson and the ninth year Lucero would be showing.
“My family’s always been part of the 4H community,” she said. “I really enjoy the comfort that the animals have brought me.”
With plans to pursue agriculture business after graduation, Lucero said she has gained responsibility in showing while also having grace in teachable moments that may feel like setbacks.
“I’m excited to see how he does and see how the hard work has paid off,” she said about showing.
Lucero said before that day she worked early mornings making sure her animals had clean stalls, enough feed, training and were happy.
“Not every exhibitor will leave with a championship buckle,” Paterson said. “But every young person who learns to care for an animal, keep a commitment, help a competitor and return to the barn the next morning has accomplished something important. That is why county fairs matter.”
Reader Comments