Four students from Lamb County traveled to Abilene last month to join 425 other participants from 20 different states at the National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference held June 21–27.
Brittyn Bass and Weston McCarver of Olton, along with Ky and Rainey Hayes of Littlefield, took part in the weeklong event, which combined cattle shows with leadership and educational contests for youth involved in the Shorthorn industry.
The trip kicked off with Texas participants filling reusable bags donated by United Super Markets with snacks, water bottles, and many other giveaway items donated by the Texas Department of Agriculture. From there, the focus shifted to stalling cattle and entering poster and art contests. During this, Bass entered both a poster and a decoupage project while also giving a speech covering Shorthorns trail blazing across America in the Prospector I age Division.
The next day, Rainey Hayes and McCarver teamed up to give a sales pitch covering Umbarger Feeds in the Prospector II age division. Bass also attended a “tea” hosted by the National Shorthorn Lassie Queen with her younger brother Langston, where they participated in “Shorthorn Sidekicks”.
Later, all four students from Lamb County competed in showmanship contests, also participating in the livestock judging contest afterward.
Cattle shows wrapped up the week, with multiple divisions including bred-andowned, bulls, steers and Shorthorn Plus females. Ending with a BBQ meal and an awards presentation, followed by the announcement of new directors and the retirement of Makenzi Evans and Lorenzo from the board after serving a three-year term.
Ky Hayes placed third in his class, while Bass placed seventh and McCarver placed sixth in their respective divisions. The Purebred heifers were judged by Donnie Robertson from Express Ranches in Yukon, Oklahoma.