09/06/2024
Thoughts worth reading! ❤️
Our county fair wrapped up earlier this week and there’s one thing that always sticks with me for a few days. This year, more than ever, some of our non-ag friends have asked, “how do your kids do this knowing the end goal?” Livestock kids know this from the beginning of the project. They know the end goal is to raise an animal that will provide food for someone’s table, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard to see them go.
The Empty Halter - that's when it hits you.
If you’ve grown up showing livestock, you understand.
If not, let me share.
These kids work throughout the year on their projects. It starts in the fall when they identify their calf. The calf grows. It’s weighed-in shortly after the first of the year. Spring rolls around and livestock kids are itching to work with their projects on a more regular basis. Finally, school is out and the show barn is in full swing!
The barn radio blares. The blower and fans run (the electric bill climbs). Squeals from wash rack water fights can be heard on hot days. Livestock kids spend hours of their summer feeding, washing, and caring for their steer calves.
Some county fair steers are more challenging than others, and you’re sure you won’t be sad to see them go.
Others find a special place in your heart.
The end of summer comes much too quickly; in our area the county fair closes out the summer.
The fair brings the excitement of show day, a lively auction, and time spent with friends from across the county.
But when Monday afternoon rolls around, there’s a bit of a somber atmosphere.
Awaiting the trailers. The trailers that will haul the livestock these kids spent so many hours on.
Kids bravely stand in line and wait their turn. The end of the halter is passed onto the adult in the trailer, who leads the steer to the front and removes the halter. The Empty Halter is passed out the trailer door to the kid. And so begins the walk back to the barn with The Empty Halter.
No matter if that steer had a special place in your heart, or if he was one of those that you struggled with all summer long and swore you weren’t going to be sad to see him go, it hits you.
Young, old, grown men, seasoned showmen, 4-H moms – it hits all a little bit. Tears are shed and hugs of support can be found throughout the barn.
And while The Empty Halter signifies the end of one project, it also represents the beginning of next year’s project.
You see, next year’s project is right around the corner. In fact, our kids are already scouting which calves they’ll use next year. There’s excitement about the new prospects.
And those new calves, they’ll need to use The Empty Halter.
