hil Jackson once said, “you are only a success at the time you perform a successful act. You have to do it again.” Madison Fischer is an embodiment of that mindset. As a two-time national champion in livestock judging at the prestigious National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and The American Royal, Madison knows what it takes to accrue continued success. For many, an act that stays a dream for Madison has become a reality. At a young age, she started watching livestock shows, ringside. Mesmerized by the various cattle breeds, barns and even the showmen, she couldn’t wait to be the one competing one day. It wasn’t long before cups, combs, goldfish and other random items started to garner her attention and require a set of oral reasons. Madison started livestock judging when she became old enough to compete with her local Texas 4-H. Her passion for the livestock industry was fueled by studying cattle listed in the Showtimes Magazine and she would often take notes on them. Handwritten and misspelled notes that only a child could interpret but she was rarely wrong when discussing her reasons. Back when sale catalogs were the “thing”, she would dog ear pages at a 45-degree angle on the animals’ shoulders, make notes, cut out pictures and draw on the animals listed. She would then make both positive and negative comments regarding each one. Notes might not have been legible to the average person, but for a young enthusiast she could explain in detail what she saw. With the help of Betsy Bradley, Ranch Manager for Trademark Genetics, learning production standards, researching EPD’s and bloodlines in cow/calf operations, helped Madison follow lineages over the years. Evolving livestock management practices, Betsy and Madison would utilize these practices into their program. This characteristic and trait is the mere foundation for what she continues to do daily. Yes, cattle
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