Bob May has been in the cattle industry for many years and he has seen his fair share of wins as well as experienced some losses along the way. We sat down with Bob to find out what has shaped his perspective on the past nine months. Bob has built a well-respected cattle operation, has accumulated wins on the national stage (The National Western Stock Show, American Royal, The North American International Livestock Expo to name a few) but if you ask him, he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else. His ultra-competitive spirit is only matched by his humble attitude. Over the course…
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Everything I Need to Know About Life, I Learned from My Animals
It’s ok to get dirty. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence – in fact, some fences we shouldn’t even get near, let alone touch. Don’t be the last one to the feed trough. There will be death, it will be sad. There will be new life, it will be joyful. We all need a pat on the back (and maybe even a kick in the rear) every now and then. Listening is more important than voicing an opinion. Never doubt or underestimate a mother’s instinct. If dogs and cats can get along, so can we. Stick with your flock. A fresh grooming makes all…
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Lessons from the Show Ring
While I’m still young, and certainly have a lot of life lessons yet to learn, being a showman is providing me with some of the best experiences to grow in virtue and become a confident young adult. Here are three lessons I am learning more about with each passing year. Trust your heart, your hard work, and don’t worry about the crowd around you. When I think back to my first few years of showing, all I can remember is seeing lots of people and desperately searching for the familiar faces of my parents when I was in the show ring. I also remember the countless times they…
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Principles for Success: Generosity
WHAT IS GENEROSITY? Generosity is the willingness to give to others without selfish ambitions. But being generous is also in the best interest of the ones who give. Research shows that generosity is a foundational principle for mental and relational health. A generous lifestyle reduces stress, supports personal physical health, enhances purpose, and fights depression. Generosity can boost confidence, promote positive social connections, and improve relationships. Check out the following Do’s and Don’ts of generosity below:
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Address the Envelopes
Thank you. It’s something that you are taught to say at a very young age. You probably go through your day and thank people without even noticing. Someone holds the door open for you, you say thanks as you enter; you don’t give it much thought it’s just something you say. In today’s world, we sometimes forget to slow down and give credit to those who in reality we really do appreciate. We sometimes assume that those investing in us know we are thankful for what they are doing/have done for us but taking a moment to slow down and let them know can mean so much. Growing up…
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5 Easy Ways to Take Initiative
Taking initiative is recognizing and doing what needs to be done without being asked or coerced. It is so easy to sit back wait for someone to tell you what to do and how to do it, but taking initiative isn’t hard. Here are some easy ways you can take initiative. Offer to Help: Do more than what is required of you. It could be cleaning the stall before being asked, washing your heifer, or even as simple as making sure you have your show clothes ready to go come show day. Make Friends: Introduce yourself to your fellow exhibitors, or those other show moms. Meeting new people can be…
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Principles for Success: INITIATIVE
What is Initiative? Initiative is recognizing and doing what needs to be done without being asked or coerced. If you are a person with initiative, you are self motivated and resourceful. You are able to independently and accurately assess situations and take appropriate action. People with initiative are the trailblazers and high achievers. Did you know that initiative allows you to take responsibility for your life and to face and overcome you fears. You have a greater likelihood of reaching your goals when you are personally motivated instead of waiting for others. Check out the following Do’s and Don’ts of initiative below:
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Supplement Breakdown
We’ve recently added a new category of products to our website: Supplements. Supplements can seeming like an overwhelming category with some many different options and types. So we are going to breakdown some of these supplements to help you and your animal make it to the final drive. We all know that animals stress out during transport. It’s a huge change for them, the stress of the road, a new environment, potentially a new routine. Animals can exhibit stress in a variety of ways, most common, scours/looseness and going off food. It doesn’t have to be that way though, here are a few supplements to make the transition to a…
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7 Survival Tips for a Long Show
7 Survival Tips for a Long Show Some show days are long. Some shows are a few days or can stretch into a week, even more. Sure, stock show folks love it. Yet, sometimes the down time can get to a person. It is possible to keep that livestock show spirit fresh no matter how many hours, days or weeks you’ve spent in a show barn. Socialize Not just with your crew. Get out there and meet people. Mingle with breeders, breed reps, salespeople and other showmen. A show is a great place to network for your farm or business. Countless deals have been made standing in shavings with the…
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Principles for Success: Focus
What is Focus? Focus is concentrated attention and energy. It helps us to clarify and commit to the goals we have for the show season, which leads to better planning and vision for our animal projects. When we are concentrated on our targets, we are more productive and less likely to procrastinate. Exhibitors who lack focus are easily distracted from their projects and are often disorganized and forgetful. They may appear confused, flustered and uncertain in the show ring. Showmen who have focus are intentional in the way they move while showing their animals. They have kept their eye on the prize all season, putting in the time and resources,…
