one of the biggest impacts on the way I look at cattle. Judging has taught me how to break down livestock and look beyond what catches my eye to understand why I like an animal and where it fits. That way of thinking has carried over directly into our operation at home. I’ve become more involved in conversations about calves, cows, breeding decisions and which cattle we should put on feed. Instead of just listening to what Dad thinks, I’m able to look at an animal myself, form an opinion and talk through why I see it that way. Judging has given me the confidence to have those conversations and become more involved in the decisions we make. I got to see that come together last fall when Payton and I started looking through calves with the Missouri State Fair in mind. We spent hours in the skinny pen talking about what we liked, what we didn’t and what kind of steer would best fit our program. We eventually chose 506, a skinny, bob-tailed steer with a good build that Dad had purchased from Adam Pryor. He wasn’t the most obvious calf in the pen, but we liked the pieces he had and believed he had the potential to develop. Choosing him gave me a chance to take what I had learned through judging and apply it to a decision of our own. We had to look past what he was that day and think about what he could become. From selecting him to feeding him, and getting him ready for the show ring, we were able to see that decision all the way through. This summer, 506 was named Grand Champion Steer at the Missouri State Fair. That was an incredible honor, but what I appreciated most was everything that came before it. The banner was the result of months of decisions, work, and most importantly, people who had taught me how to make those decisions in the first place. It made
me realize how much I have learned from the people around me and how those lessons have started to become my own. That realization has also made me think about what comes next. As I get older and my time in the show ring eventually comes to an end, I know I want to stay involved in the livestock industry. I want to be able to give back some of what has been given to me. So much of what I have learned has come from people who were willing to answer questions, explain their decisions and take the time to help me understand. That is what inspired me to run for the Maine-Anjou Junior Association board. I was fortunate enough to be elected to the Maine board this year, and I’m excited about the opportunity to become more involved in the breed. I also had the opportunity to attend the leadership conference, which gave me the chance to meet other juniors and learn more about what it means to serve an organization. For me, being on the board is another way to help younger people find their place in the cattle industry and get started, just as I did. That same idea has been a big part of this summer. While I’ve been judging and getting involved with the Maine- Anjou Junior Association, Payton and I have also spent plenty of time in the barn preparing heifers for Junior Nationals and cattle for the summer and fall shows. Some of my favorite parts of this summer have been those conversations in the barn talking about cattle, feeding decisions and different ways of doing things. Those are the moments where I realize how much I enjoy not only showing cattle, but the process behind getting them to the ring. When my time showing cattle eventually changes, I know I want to find new ways to stay involved and continue building a future in the livestock industry. ●
Hi, my name is Reagan Rodgers. I’m 16 years old and from Savannah, Missouri. I’m the daughter of Blaine and Melissa Rodgers. My sister, Payton, and I grew up around livestock and have spent a lot of time in the barn together. My family raises and markets cattle to youth across the country, so I grew up spending a lot of time around this industry. I started showing pigs when I was five, then got involved with sheep before cattle eventually became my main focus. Throughout my time showing livestock, I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of people invest their time and knowledge in me. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to realize that the things they’ve taught me are becoming part of the way I approach livestock myself. I’m not just learning how to show an animal anymore. I’m learning how to evaluate one, make decisions and understand why those decisions matter. Three years ago, I decided to give livestock judging a try, and it has had
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