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THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. WHAT DIRECTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT GO?
and I am thankful for all that they continue to do for myself and my 3 younger sisters. Obviously, my immediate family allows me to take a day or two away from home to do the things I enjoy. My wife, Kandi, has been the best part of my life for the past 40 years, and our two sons and their wives have made my life more complete. But none of this happens without the guidance of our Savior and each day I find it necessary to thank the Lord for all that He has given me. SHILO My dad has always been the epitome of success, not just in his career as a professor and achievements as Kansas State’s livestock judging coach, but in every aspect of his life. His relentless work ethic and drive have always pushed him to achieve greatness, and he’s shown me throughout the years that with enough dedication (and a little luck), anything is possible. What I admire most is his ambition never came at the expense of his values; always prioritizing integrity and authenticity, proving that you can be successful without compromising who you are. Seeing him balance his professional achievements with his commitment to his family has been incredibly inspiring, and he’s truly shaped my understanding of what it means to live a fulfilling life. YOU ARE A NEW FATHER; WILL YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS OF RAISING AND EXHIBITING CATTLE? SHILO Yes, my wife and I would love our son to be as passionate about the industry as we are. But we will be supportive in whatever avenue of hobby he chooses to take. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM EXHIBITING CATTLE? SHILO My favorite memory from exhibiting cattle is the final drive
SCOTT Dr. Don Good told me some 40 years ago that the pendulum continues to swing and never stops in the middle and within that time frame I have seen a number of trends come and go. From the small belt buckle cattle of the 60's to large giants of the early 80's. Because of science and technology, we are able to make changes at a far more rapid pace than we did prior to the late1900's. Some changes were based off consumer demands, like carcass quality. Others were necessary for producers to stay in business and be able to cover their financial bottom line. Regardless, changes will always occur, but at the end of the day our product needs to be safe, wholesome, affordable and most importantly sustainable. We will continue to compete with other countries who can raise feed and muscle protein cheaper than us. However, some of those countries are unable to match our quality and product safety and as a result we will remain a major contributor to the global markets. THE AMERICAN ROYAL IS THE OLDEST LIVESTOCK SHOW IN THE COUNTRY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO JUDGE THE STEER SHOW THERE THE FINAL YEAR IN WEST BOTTOMS BEFORE IT MOVES TO ITS NEW HOME ALONGSIDE YOUR SON/DAD? SCOTT Bittersweet. As a kid showing in the old building prior to Kemper arena and West Bottoms I can honestly say the nostalgic feel of the KC stockyards with carloads of cattle and an old dingy livestock barn that leaked gallons of water down the cattle isles upon a melting snow is something that I will never forget. It's a great problem when the American Royal has outgrown the current facility and the community is willing to build a bigger, and better, equipped structure. Both of our sons will play active role in this year's American Royal. My oldest son Shane serves as the livestock superintendent and has helped a number of exhibitors and their families get situated into their designated stalls. He loves people, is a problem solver and wants to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience at the American Royal. I've lost count on the number of show moms thanking me for his help getting their trailer parked and unloaded. There’s no bigger thrill in the world for a dad to have one of his children help sort the livestock at a prestigious show like the American Royal. Our youngest son, Shilo, and I have judged a few shows together and he is a nice compliment to my needs. I'm a big picture, first impression judge; and Shilo sees the big picture, like me, but can also dig into the fine details that can make a difference in the end. We always end up liking the same ones but it's really nice to have verification from someone who you highly respect. SHILO Evaluating livestock is something my dad and I do on a day-to-day basis whether that be over the phone, after a show or out in the pasture; to be asked to share our opinion at a national level is truly an honor in itself. In addition, standing in Kemper Arena to sort the market steer show for the last year of this prestigious show in its current location is the cherry on top. I don’t think the
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magnitude of this honor will set in until we slap the champion. WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU AS A PERSON?
SCOTT My parents are the first to thank. Like all farm families, we were taught at a very young age that hard work, integrity and treating people with respect were key ingredients to life. We are all a result of our genetics and environment,
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