Agriculture runs through the veins of Oklahomans and Kay County is no exception to that. Most of these young people have spent their lives on farms and ranches in the area, gaining reallife knowledge and experience that has helped them build the foundation for their work at livestock show. For nearly a hundred years, the annual Kay County Junior Livestock Show has given those youth of the county the opportunity to show off their hardearned skills and knowledge in the arena.The showmanship that goes into this is not an act, something that is lacking in effort, or something only used in the show ring. This process begins from the first day that an exhibitor purchases their livestock animal, though many would say it begins even earlier than that. From day one these young people have to start the process of gaining trust and building a bond with their animals. They have to teach each animal the basics that is required of them to show, for example halter breaking and desensitizing them to grooming. Each contestant has to learn the basics of how to set up their animal to show off their general physique and genetics, bringing attention to the animal’s strengths and minimizing the animals weaknesses. The greater the showman’s attention to detail, the better of a chance they have to be recognized in the show ring.Members from local groups participated, including your very own Tonkawa 4-H and FFA students, in this year’s Kay County Junior Livestock Show. With organizations like the FFA and 4-H, which is known to be the largest youth development organization in America, these young people are able to learn skills and build confidence they can use for the rest of their lives.For many Oklahomans, agriculture events like livestock competitions are a generational experience and it is incredible to see these traditions live on, as well as the newer faces to the agriculture world fall in love with the sport. Not all the names for the winners have been released, but enough have been to know that Tonkawa 4-H and FFA brought home some ribbons during the week of shows. Congratulations to all who brought home some hardware and even those who didn’t. Each student was an excellent representative of Tonkawa in the show ring.
