This is a great reminder of the work it takes to make a great "winning" project. Does not have to be a livestock projects, it could be any 4-H project. The Crane Show Pigs blog (http://CraneShowPigs.com) always have some really good blogs for growing youth into a project and this one hit a topics especially this time of year that I get to hear about. So this is a reprint of that blog and really good reading.
"This is the time of year when we got lots of calls. Inquiries on pigs, appointments, prices – you name it. We truly enjoy visiting with each of you and answering all your questions.
However, we are noticing a disturbing trend. We get more and more inquiries, like this one, every season. And, it goes like this:
Caller: I want a champion showpig, can you help me?
Us: We do raise show pigs, and many of our feeders are very successful. What exactly are you looking for?
Caller: Well, I want to beat (so-and-so). They (the so-and-so family), beat us every year. I’ve been watching you on Facebook, and I want a champion pig like the one that was just pictured.
Us: Yes sir, that was a very good pig. That family did a phenomenal job, they’re good feeders and they work very hard.
Caller: And, we want to win…
The caller goes on and shares about their feeding program (a self feeder filled with a mix made at the local Co-Op. ‘I don’t have time to hand feed, I work and we’re gone a lot on the weekends); and their exercise program (‘we start walking a few weeks before fair – kids have to walk every afternoon before they go to the pool’).
Basically, they want to beat the so-and-so family, by investing the least amount of TIME and EFFORT into their swine project.
If you want to be successful, I challenge you develop a brand-new mindset this show season. Many of you know that we are a die-hard basketball family. Our entire family plays ball and there’s even an indoor, full-size court next to the kids’ show barn. Basketball is a lot like showing livestock: You’re not going to win a championship without practicing; without being in shape and eating right; and without working hard both in and out of the gym.
Folks – if your family refuses to put time and effort into the project, then no breeder out there is going to be able to help you. Even if you could afford to buy the most expensive pig out there, your chance of success with that pig is slim to none.
And as for the cost of livestock, think of it this way: Expensive basketball shoes don’t make the player. It is hard work, dedication and determination that is going to take you and your sneakers to the game. Do champion players often choose one brand of shoes over another? Yes, absolutely they do. Winners want a proven product, something that meets their demands and is going to be worth the investment of both their time and money. Proven products are used for a reason, no matter if it is basketball shoes, show feed or successful breeding programs.
Winning starts with a desire to succeed. Take that and mix in a pig with great genetics, fuel it with proven feed, and quality time spent in the barn – and you’ve got a recipe for a memorable show season. There are NO shortcuts. There are NO quick fixes. There are NO substitutions.
Don’t blame the refs, and don’t blame the judges. They are simply calling it like they see it.
Don’t blame the coach, and don’t blame the breeder/extension agent/ag teacher. Their job is to guide you, not do the work for you.
Don’t blame the other team, and don’t blame other exhibitors. Their job is to show up & work hard, it’s not their fault if you weren’t prepared.
Don’t blame the equipment, and don’t blame the animal. Neither one will be in their prime, if you don’t care for them.
Your success starts with you. I challenge you to have a positive attitude and an athlete’s work ethic. If you want to win this season, start stepping up your game at home. Your efforts, or lack thereof, will speak for themselves on show day."
Can I have an Amen... :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Beef Project Members!! Showmanship Workshop - Monday Night - Starting at 4 pm
Beef Project Members!! Showmanship Workshop has been moved to Monday Night at the Showgrounds starting at 4 pm. Brian Ivy and Mike Luna will be there to help you with your beef projects and showmanship. This is a come and go workshop so if you can not get there right at 4 pm that is ok we will be there till about 6:30. Eric DaBorge will also be there to trim hooves on the Beef Projects. Cost for Hoof trimming is $35.
Rabbit Project workshop - Saturday, January 10th, 10 am to 12 pm
RABBIT PROJECT MEMBERS... if you would like to know about or would like help with your rabbit project we will be working with the rabbit projects on Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm. This time has been moved up from 1 pm to help out with any weather that might be moving in. If you don't have a rabbit but would like to know more come visit!! :)
Saturday Information for County Fair market lamb/market goat tag in.
UPDATE OF INFORMATION!!!! On Saturday we will be conducting the tagging in (validation) of the County Fair Market Lambs, Market Goats, and commercial Boer Does. We will start at 8 am and go to 11 am. Just because you have a tag in ear you need to be for sure you have done an ENTRY FORM!! If you have a question whether you are entered or not call and ask :)
The 2ND Annual Red River Valley Fair Spring Classic
The
2ND Annual
Red River Valley Fair Spring Classic
March 21, 2015
@ THE LAMAR
CO. FAIRGROUNDS - PARIS , TEXAS
CHECK IN -
7:30 TO 9:00 A.M. - SHOW STARTS AT
10 A.M.
SHOW DAY ENTRY FEE - $20 Pay at check in!
BELT
BUCKLES WILL BE GIVEN FOR:
GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET GOAT,
GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET LAMB,
GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET SWINE,
GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET STEER,
GRAND AND RESERVE PROSPECT STEER,
AND GRAND AND RESERVE OVERALL BEEF HEIFER
And Prizes for all Breed Champion
Heifers!
Jr. (13 & Younger) and Sr. (14
& Older) Showmanship Jackpot = $5 Fee = Winner Take All! No Pre-Entry!
Cattle Show is Blow & Go – No Fitting
Materials! This is NOT a TJLA Sanctioned
Show.
Heifers will show by breed, division, &
overall = 5 head will constitute a breed & those not making 5 will show in
ABC American, AOB British, or AOB Exotic by D.O.B.
2 RINGS - 2 JUDGES
RING 1 -
LIVESTOCK BARN #1 - SHOW ORDER
JR. & SR. MARKET
SWINE SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET SWINE SHOW
JR. & SR. MARKET
LAMB SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET LAMB SHOW
JR. & SR. MARKET
GOAT SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET GOAT SHOW
RING 2 - LIVESTOCK
BARN #3 - SHOW ORDER
JR. AND SR. STEER
SHOWMANSHIP
PROSPECT STEER SHOW
MARKET STEER SHOW
JR. AND SR. HEIFER SHOWMANSHIP
BEEF HEIFER SHOW
THE 20TH ANNUAL LAMAR COUNTY PREVIEW SHOW
THE
20TH ANNUAL LAMAR COUNTY PREVIEW SHOW
SPONSORED BY CHISUM FFA
CHAPTER
March 28, 2015
@ THE LAMAR
CO. FAIRGROUNDS - PARIS , TEXAS
CHECK IN -
7:30 TO 9:00 A.M. - SHOW STARTS AT
10 A.M.
SHOW DAY ENTRY FEE - $20 Pay at check in!
BELT BUCKLES WILL BE GIVEN
FOR:
GRAND
AND RESERVE MARKET GOAT, GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET LAMB,
GRAND
AND RESERVE MARKET SWINE, GRAND AND RESERVE MARKET STEER,
GRAND
AND RESERVE PROSPECT STEER, AND
GRAND AND RESERVE OVERALL BEEF HEIFER
And
Prizes for all Breed Champion Heifers!
Jr.
(13 & Younger) and Sr. (14 & Older) Showmanship Jackpot = $5 Fee =
Winner Take All! No Pre-Entry!
Cattle Show is Blow & Go – No
Fitting Materials! This is NOT a TJLA
Sanctioned Show.
Heifers will show by breed, division,
& overall = 5 head will constitute a breed & those not making 5 will
show in AOB American, AOB British, or AOB Exotic by D.O.B.
2
RINGS - 2 JUDGES
RING 1 -
LIVESTOCK BARN #1 - SHOW ORDER
JR. & SR. MARKET
SWINE SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET SWINE SHOW
JR. & SR. MARKET
GOAT SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET GOAT SHOW
JR. & SR. MARKET
LAMB SHOWMANSHIP
MARKET LAMB SHOW
RING 2 - LIVESTOCK
BARN #3 - SHOW ORDER
JR. AND SR. STEER
SHOWMANSHIP
PROSPECT STEER SHOW
MARKET STEER SHOW
JR. AND SR. HEIFER SHOWMANSHIP
BEEF HEIFER SHOW
Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch Schools
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service would like to
invite you to register for a Generation
Next: Our Turn to Ranch School this Spring. Each 2-day school will have
expert presenters on these topics:
·
How to start an agricultural business
·
Understanding business taxes
·
Marketing your product and yourself
·
Using technology to your benefit
·
How to set up grazing and wildlife lease
agreements
·
Multigenerational ranching
·
Understanding market fluctuations
·
Land management techniques
·
Coping with invasive species
·
Alternative operations to add to the business
The Generation Next Schools are specifically targeting
children or grandchildren of landowners, although the schools are open to all
who are interested in attending. Staying
connected to the land and finding your place in the family ranch can be
difficult, but these schools are specifically designed to provide ideas and
direction to make multigenerational ranching successful. Select from 3 Schools in 2015:
1. San Angelo, TX: March 5-6, 2015
2. Stephenville, TX: March 12-13, 2015
3. Corpus Christi, TX: April 9-10, 2015
The registration fee is $100 per school (or $75 if a
currently enrolled college student) until 2 weeks prior to the course. This fee includes 2 full days of classes from
expert instructors, a resource notebook and jump drive, 5 meals, and a
Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch School Completion Certificate at the end of
the course. Registration will be limited
to the first 50 participants, so sign up early!
To Register: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ESSM
OR call 979-845-2604
For more information, please contact Dr. Megan Clayton at Megan.Clayton@ag.tamu.edu or by
phone 361-265-9203 or your local County Extension Office.
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