3 minute read
Lessons From the Barn
For fourth-generation agriculturalist Cooper Shebester, his impact from being involved the livestock industry didn’t end after his time in the ring did.
Shebester began his involvement with the youth livestock industry at the age of five with a goat, but then he quickly transitioned to cattle at the age of nine when he was eligible to show at Oklahoma’s state shows.
“I credit a lot of things in my life to the junior livestock industry,” Shebester said. “I made countless friends that I still talk to today.”
Along with the friends he gained, Shebester acquired many life skills such as responsibility, a hard work ethic and the ability to communicate. He attributes those skills playing a large role in the transition from a high school student to an adult in college.
“All the skills I have learned I take to heart because nowadays, those skills matter. If you don’t have confidence, you will not be noticed.”
Throughout High School, Shebester was heavily involved, not just in FFA but also in programs such as the AFR Youth Council, taking on roles that he said, prepared him for his future and pushed him to stay involved in the agriculture industry.
His time spent in the barn and the ring were where most of his life lessons were learned, and he said he learned the showring is only a small part of a much larger industry.
“The show ring is just a small portion of agriculture,” he said. “It serves as a way to show people and teach students what it takes to truly feed the world.
“It’s hard work,” he said. “Work very few understand, but through the junior livestock programs like OYE, more of Oklahoma’s youth understand and appreciate the hard work farmers and ranchers do each and every day.”
Shebester planned to exhibit a market steer at the 2020 Oklahoma Youth Expo, however, unfortunately due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 show was cancelled prior to him being able to show.
“It’s disappointing for sure,” Shebester said. “My family and I spent months working to get them ready, and to not be able to show at OYE my senior year was tough.
“Yet, that’s one of the lessons we all learn through showing livestock, that life isn’t always fair and that sometimes you need to just stand up and make the best of a bad situation,” he said.
Upon high school graduation, Shebester began the next step in life at Eastern Oklahoma State College. While at EOSC, he takes part in the livestock judging team while pursuing a degree in animal science with a pre-vet option.
Shebester wants to be a vet, specifically an embryologist, because embryo transplant can drastically increase the productivity and quality of a herd much quicker than traditional breeding.
In his free time, Shebester has begun investing into the next generation of agriculturalists by helping younger cattle showmen.
“I really enjoy teaching the younger kids the skills I have learned,” Shebester said. “I am trying to repay the favor and help others, just as others did for me when I began.”
Shebester gives the kids he helps many tips and tricks, but the most important advice he has passed onto them is to don’t stop working and be consistent. He believes that without persistence, you will not be the best you can be.
“Nothing is perfect, but you can’t give up. Just keep going,” Shebester said. – Written by Emily Smith
– Cooper Shebester
Learn more about Cooper here.
