Post-Grad Plans: Livestock Judging at Lake Land College

Dream Destination: Yellowstone

Favorite Farm Animal: Cattle

Sweet or Salty Snacks: Salty

Dream Job: “My dream job would be to come back home and continue to grow my livestock business, but also work as a cattle embryologist and help producers locally grow their herd and genetic quality.” 

When did you first get involved with FFA and why?

“The first time I got involved with FFA was my freshman year. Both of my brothers were involved with FFA and agriculture is something I was born and raised with. We have a row crop operation, so FFA was the next step for me. After eighth grade, we had our first ag teacher, Ms. Kemry and she really sparked my interest in the club. I thrived in the club and ran for office the next year – it’s really been a club that helped shape me throughout high school.” 

Tell me more about growing up. 

“Agriculture is something that not just my immediate family does, but something my entire family does. My dad and his brother row crop and when he was younger, my dad showed and raised sheep. Also, my great grandpa played a part in helping start the montadale sheep breed, so agriculture is definitely something that runs very deep in my family.”  

What type of livestock do you typically show?

“I started off showing cattle and then I got more into the sheep side of things probably in sixth grade. I started raising sheep because we thought it would be fun to try another species. After that, I bought wethers for the fair that year and we decided, why not start our own business? So, I started Vehige Club Lambs right about my eighth grade year.” 

What inspired you to start a business?

“I think it was pretty cool to be able to say my great grandpa helped create the montadale sheep breed. I thought raising sheep would be something pretty cool and getting into the sheep industry. I’ve met so many people and I wanted to continue into it. Whether it's nutrition, sheep or breeding sheep, it fascinated me.” 

What do you want your business to look like in 5-10 years?

“I would like to see my business be a successful business that not only sells to locals but nationwide. Right now, I’m selling to people anywhere from 20 minutes away to two hours. I’d like to continue to grow my herd not only in numbers, but quality as well. Hopefully, I will be able to sell throughout the nation and have online sales. Eventually, I want to get into raising more rams and being able to sell the semen from the rams as well.” 

What responsibilities do you have through your business?

“My responsibilities can entail anything from marketing my lambs to feeding them in the morning. Typically, my day to day is waking up around six, feeding my lambs every single day, clean water and clean pens and making sure I turn on all the fans on hot days. Right now, I’m getting ready to start prepping my sheep to AI them and then they’ll get AI before the state fair and be due around December. We’ll get our birthing pens ready, get heat lamps and everything prepared. After birthing time, they’ll be with their moms for about a month, month and a half. Then, we like to wean them off and get them ready to sell them to local 4-Hers and FFA-ers. That’s when I post on Facebook and try to get as many kids to come out and look at the lambs to see what we have. After that, I’ll sell the lambs and then I like to keep in touch to help them keep the lamb growing the right way.” 

What’s been the most difficult part about starting a business?

“It would be getting my name out there. It was hard because a lot of these sheep producers have been doing it for years and years. Some of the finances were hard but I was lucky enough to be able to take a loan out.”

What did it mean to you to be selected as an Area Star Farmer this year?

“I was in shock when I got the call from Ms. Kemry. It is truly an honor. During the Warren County Fair queen, they asked me what’s my biggest accomplishment and I said receiving the Area Star Farmer. It truly means so much to see a business that I created and worked so hard on and truly poured my heart into to be recognized.” 

What made you want to judge livestock in college?

“This industry is something I’m truly passionate about and my time in the show rings running short. The only way to continue to pursue that would be livestock judging in college. I’ll be able to travel the country and go to different national shows and meet people across the nation that have similar passions as me. When I first started livestock judging I wasn’t very good at it, and what originally made me get into it was my brother. My brother was on the Mizzou livestock judging team and he would always come home and share how much of an impact the team had made on him. Hearing that made me want to do it too. I did horse judging my first two years and then I did judging through FFA. I practiced and went to several camps – it’s truly something I love to do. I think it’s pretty cool to be able to evaluate animals and give your opinions.” 

What did you enjoy most from being in the Warren County Fair queen competition?

“The group of girls – every single one of them were super nice and I feel like we all clicked really well. Being the fair queen, I was extremely honored, but I think every single one of the girls could have also been the fair queen. The whole experience wasn’t just about a pageant. They truly emphasized on making this a personal growth experience. A lot of the activities we did helped each of us grow as a person and helped us make more connections with people in our community. Also, my favorite part was creating those relationships. During fair week, I met so many little kids and took pictures with them. Asking them their name and getting to talk to them truly put a smile on my face.”