Livestock shows teach important life skills

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma held its 28th annual livestock shows in Durant and Wilburton on Feb. 1 and 2. Hundreds of tribal members in grades third through twelfth showed up to the two-day event to showcase their pigs, goats, sheep, heifers and steers. Each year, this event continues to grow, and it is so great to see our young people take an interest in showing livestock. Chief, Tribal Council, and I all had the opportunity to speak to so many bright young people who are the future of our agriculture industry.

Showing livestock and associated programs like 4-H and FFA help build life skills and develop character traits that will help young people in the future. I’m not sure how familiar all of you are with livestock shows, but taking care of show animals is a lot of work. These young men and women learn how to select, feed, fit, groom and properly show their animals. They learn how to vaccinate, keep records, add costs and weigh them against future profits. These students take on daily responsibilities that come with showing animals. I don’t know if you’ve seen someone clip, groom and blow dry a cow, but it takes a lot of patience.

Our agricultural department has done so much over the past couple of years to take this event to the next level. This year, they streamlined the registration process by going fully digital — participants registered by going to the Choctaw Nation’s website.

Everything was located in one place, making the entry process more user-friendly.

If you are interested in participating in our livestock show next year, there are a few requirements. Participants must be a member of 4-H or FFA; must be a student between third and twelfth grade; and must be no older 19 on the day of the show. There are no boundary guidelines for the livestock show, and participants do not have to live or go to school in the 10½ counties.

We would love to see even more student participation in our livestock show next year. If you have any questions about this event or our agriculture department, please visit choctawnation.com or call 580-924-8280. I hope to see you at next year’s show.