It is no secret that I am a fan of the Star Wars tales and the Lord of the Rings stories . \u00a0Both have the same plot of good versus evil with an unseen power that binds it all together. \u00a0Race, religion, creed, sex, whatever\u2026doesn’t seem to matter in these stories. \u00a0Star Wars is one of the richest movie franchises of all time. \u00a0The J.R.R. Tolkien novels\/movies have proven to be highly successful as well. \u00a0They are both just copycats of the most successful selling book of all time–THE bible.<\/p>\n
Recently, I have been forced to think. \u00a0Dangerous, yes. \u00a0I have been forced to think as an ag teacher, not as a parent. \u00a0I was a stock show parent from 1999 when Kela got her first show pigs to 2019 when Duke finished his showing career. \u00a0This isn’t bragging, just truth\u2026I have been to Mount Doom and I have dealt one-on-one with the evil Emperor. \u00a0And I can tell you without a doubt, that I am glad to be done as a stock show parent. \u00a0BUT\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n
As a been there, done that person, I am reminded of lines from the dwarf Gimli towards the end of The Return of the King.<\/p>\n
“Certainty of death. \u00a0Small chance of success. \u00a0What are we waiting for?”<\/p>\n
I love what stock shows bring to the table in the terms of teachable moments. \u00a0Work ethic. \u00a0Proper evaluation. \u00a0Nutrition. \u00a0Animal welfare. \u00a0And maybe most importantly, time management & priorities. The social networking brought about from stock shows is invaluable, in my opinion. \u00a0I enjoy watching students sort stock, work to make them better and have hope to win. \u00a0BUT\u2026.the old, crusty bastard is thinking we don’t have a chance. \u00a0Why? \u00a0We didn’t spend enough, cover enough miles, no judge ties, etc. \u00a0Like Gimli’s quote, I\/we understand what looms ahead. \u00a0Which means that I need to be a better teacher\/coach\/whatever. \u00a0But\u2026..I came into this industry not knowing anything except what I was getting ready to learn. \u00a0And I am still trying to learn.<\/p>\n
Does any of this make sense? \u00a0It does to me.<\/p>\n
I hope that every person that works hard and works right has a chance at a given stock show. \u00a0However, I know that every stock show is different depending on the $s and bragging rights at hand. \u00a0Regardless of breeders, jocks, ag teachers, parents, whomever, there is always a chance of things not being quite right.<\/p>\n
Yet, we all need to realize that this is just a hobby. \u00a0That’s it. \u00a0Some may argue. \u00a0In reality, the stock show industry is not even a blip on the radar in grand economic scales. \u00a0Name me a stock show business that is publicly traded on the stock exchange. \u00a0You can’t. \u00a0There are some HUGE companies—ADM, AllTech,etc. \u00a0 But stock shows aren’t their cash cows.<\/p>\n
Bull semen is a big market–yet the biggest supplier, ABS, focuses on production cattle. \u00a0They just happen to carry some show stock semen as a deal on the side.<\/p>\n
Sullivan’s is a huge supplier of show product. \u00a0The biggest of them all. \u00a0Yet, they sell out of trailers and on a shelf in Atwoods or Tractor Supply.<\/p>\n
Hunting is also a hobby. \u00a0Yet, there are complete stores–BassPro, Cabela’s, Gander Mountain–dedicated to just that.<\/p>\n
I write all of this crap to get to this point. \u00a0Livestock showing is the ONLY hobby that we care if we get a return on our investment.<\/p>\n
Music–nope. \u00a0Pay for the lessons and hope they are good. \u00a0And in reality, the next Slash is in a back bedroom or garage perfecting their craft.<\/p>\n
Hunting\/fishing–buy new guns, ammo, lures, fishing poles, camo, boats, licenses, whatever\u2026..and hope they get SOMETHING.<\/p>\n
Athletics–NOPE! \u00a0We have fund raisers to pay for rings. \u00a0Not for the basics. \u00a0Parents pay for camps, new shoes, new uniforms, more lessons, whatever. \u00a0Mom was un-athletic. \u00a0Dad was un-athletic. \u00a0But somehow, some way, junior is going to be on sports center. \u00a0Nobody questions what the camps, gear, lessons or equipment cost. \u00a0BUT\u2026.if you are a stock show parent\u2026..How much did you lose on that animal?<\/p>\n
99.99% of all athletic parents lose money\u2026yet, they will be the most critical of stock show people. \u00a0The odds are worse for musical parents. \u00a0We don’t think twice about an academic tutor. \u00a0ACT classes, damn right! \u00a0If you have a kid with a 27 or 28+, no big deal. However, if you are trying to raise that score from a 25 to a 28\u2026.parents will pay whatever for the help.<\/p>\n
I’m down with all of it. \u00a0I do not blame any parent for doing whatever they deem necessary\u2026.within means\u2026for their kid(s). \u00a0My point, quit looking at stock shows as a profitable venture. \u00a0If done right, no way to make money. \u00a0But the intangibles are priceless. \u00a0And unlike the other things, stock show social networks are extensive and life-long.<\/p>\n
Wrap up time.<\/p>\n
I like Star Wars and the Fellowship of the Ring books\/movies.
\nIn reality, stock shows are just a hobby.<\/p>\n
People spend A LOT on hobbies.<\/p>\n
Parents spend A LOT to help their kids find success.<\/p>\n
As a former stock show parent, I am jaded in the stock show part (I find humor in that jade part).<\/p>\n
As an ag teacher, I realize that there are real life lessons tied to stock showing and the values that will pay off later.<\/p>\n
As a human being, I like Gimli’s quote. \u00a0“Small chance of success. \u00a0What are we waiting for?”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you read all of this crap and think that Kelln is getting old and sour\u2026well, you would be correct. \u00a0However, I am also learning to re-learn what I already knew but had just not remembered. \u00a0I’ve said before that we need a reminder from time to time. \u00a0Well, I am living it.<\/p>\n
“Try not. \u00a0Do or do not. \u00a0There is no try.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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