NM Junior Livestock Expo — One for the Ages

from NMS October 2021

Turquoise Circuit Finals

New Mexico Junior Livestock Expo — One for the Ages

by Caren Cowan

Never underestimate the power of agriculture on a mission, especially if it involves their children. After learning just three weeks prior to the event that the New Mexico State Fair would require proof of vaccine, two State Fair Commissioners, Tommy Spindle and Trudy Healy, resigned because of the late date and unfairness of the mandate.

But they didn’t just quit. Phones were burning up across New Mexico. Spindle and Healy were joined by literally hundreds of New Mexicans who were bound and determined that the state’s rural youth wouldn’t be deprived of the ability to show their animals. That ability also included the opportunity to earn back the expenses put into their animals as well as the opportunity to continue to save for college.

In less than a month the New Mexico Junior Livestock Expo was put together in Roswell to run on the same dates the State Fair would have occupied. The move was no small feat when one considers the magnitude of putting on an event that includes hundreds of youngsters, their families plus hundreds of animals.

It was a big job for families who had already had reservations in Albuquerque to divert to Roswell and find accommodations. To say that Albuquerque’s economic loss was one quite happily accepted by Roswell is an understatement.

To keep expenses down for families, the Healy Foundation donated the entry fee for every animal. The Foundation deserves a huge thanks.

Grand Champion Market Steer Shown by Caleb Ramsey,

Thank you Healy Foundation for paying the entry fees! Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer, Addie Laferty

To try and name everyone who had a hand in the highly successful Junior Livestock Expo is impossible. But at the risk of getting myself into trouble, I need to point out at least a few. New Mexico Wool Growers’ President James Duffy and his family, Roswell, put in huge amounts of time to be sure that everything ran smoothly from entries to results. Wool Growers’ 2nd Vice President Shad Cox, Corona, was there with them every step of the way.

The Junior Livestock Foundation and auctioneer Shane Hall made sure that the Expo Sale was a barn-burner bringing in more than $620,000 for New Mexico’s rural youth. At press time we didn’t have a buyers list, but those folks will be recognized in a future issue.

While the event may not have been the shot heard around the world, it is no small rural New Mexico matter. The Washington Post carried a story on September 26 that included this quote:

“I don’t know what unfolded in the last few weeks, but I know this wasn’t the original plan,” beef cattle judge Dan Shike said just before the Grand Drive. “You guys are fortunate that there was a group of people that said, ‘No way! We’re not going to throw in the towel. These kids are going to show.’ ”

Nuff said. ▫

“No way! We’re not going to throw in the towel. These kids are going to show.” LIVESTOCK JUDGES Cattle-Dan Shike; Goat-Dustin Coufal; Lamb- Jason Simpson; Swine -Jarrett Davis; Dairy- Gerret Boer