Agricultural News
Blayne Arthur on the Show Ring- Developing Leaders for Our Communities, Our States and Our Nation
Sat, 09 Jul 2016 21:26:30 CDT
Each Thursday in 2016, Blayne Arthur of Stillwater, Oklahoma has offered her thoughts on being thankful. The latest such Facebook posting on July 7th caught the eye of a lot of people- and this Mom of kids who are learning the ins and outs of showing livestock- this young lady who, along with her husband, have a successful livestock operation and this young lady, who is a well regarded ag industry leader has written a brillant explanation of what the value of the youth livestock show movement is all about.
The Oklahoma Farm Report asked Blayne's permission to share her powerful commentary- and she has given her blessing- so take a few moments and read her commentary- and enjoy:
"On this 27th Thursday of # ThankfulThursdays I am thankful for the youth livestock show industry. I believe one of the challenges that we face in the United States today is that not enough people are raised on a farm anymore. Moving everyone to a farm is not a reality, but having young adults exhibit livestock is. The following are the reasons why I think it is imperative to involve youth in livestock shows- if you are looking for brevity or political correctness you might scroll to another post .
"Being around livestock prepares you to be successful in the real world.
"You learn to be tough and dedicated because you have to feed every morning and night year round. When it is 105 degrees and so hot you can't breathe and when it is so cold that your fingers won't move in your gloves but you are still breaking ice for you calves to get a drink.
"You learn to handle obstacles that are thrown your way because you have been bucked off your horse at a World caliber show that was streaming online and ate a mouthful of dirt but climbed back on.
"You develop grace because you were winning your barrow class at state fair but you go across the scales and weigh out by 1 pound. All the hard work goes out the window just like that and you have to walk back through the barn with everyone watching and knowing that some people weren't sad that your hog weighed out.
"You develop empathy because you were working with your goats all summer, multiple times a day but the neighbor's dog got out and literally ate part of your show goat. You got to hold your goat while the local veterinarian euthanized it because it was the best choice for the animal.
"You develop class because everyone said you had the best lamb at the show but you stood third in class and missed the premium auction and still smiled and congratulated the winners.
"You develop a strong faith because you helped bring baby calves, lambs, goats and foals into the world and did everything right and sometimes lost them when mother nature didn't cooperate- you pray for better results next time and forge on.
"You become a friend and a teammate to all those around you in the barn and cheer for others when they succeed and cry with them when the banner doesn't come to their stall.
"You learn to perform at your best under pressure in front of a crowd no matter how early in the morning or how late at night.
"You become mature because sometimes you got the blue ribbon when you really lost that day and sometimes you got the sift pen but you really won.
"You understand that hard work pays off and that there is no free lunch.
"You learn that to be a winner you have to think, work and act like a winner.
"Most folks think that the show ring is only about the banners or the blue ribbons but it is really about developing leaders for our communities, our states and our nations. There are no excuses in the show ring and there are no excuses in life."
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