Republic FFA members had another busy summer at livestock showing competitions, with several students earning honors at regional and state competitions.
Kampbell Thomas, chapter reporter, exemplified the program’s success with multiple wins in swine showmanship, including at the Missouri State Fair.
“My biggest highlight over the summer was definitely winning swine showmanship at the second session of Missouri State Fair,” Thomas said. “But I was also the overall intermediate (12-16) showman in the Southern Missouri Jackpot Series… I had the overall Yorkshire gilt in the same series this year.”
Other successes for Republic FFA included Ashlyn Jenson’s wins — Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn and Reserve Grand Champion Holstein — at the Ozark Empire Fair. Jace Pipkin had the Grand Champion Angus Female at the fair, and he also competed at the National Junior Angus Show in Madison, Wisconsin, and the Gold Buckle Extravaganza, where his steer was first in class. Jessi Hankins showed the Grand Champion Charolais Female at the Ozark Empire Fair.
Thomas said exhibiting livestock teaches her and others to adapt.
“Every pig is different,” she said. “Some are ‘easy,’ some are difficult based upon the demeanor of the animal. Since connections aren’t always easy to create, it takes consistency and grit to get where you want them to be.”
Republic FFA members often form strong bonds with their animals over months of work. The connection, while rewarding, can make the end of showing season difficult.
“I grow super close with my animals over the six months I get to work with them daily. It’s always hard to drive them for the last time after time well spent,” Thomas said.
Working with animals is gratifying, but it can be humbling as well.
“A thing that has continued to come back to me this year is ‘every loss makes you eager to do better but continues to keep you humble,’” she said. “Being humble is a number one thing for me; everyone in the industry has the same goals, and we should all be happy for each other when we achieve those goals.
“Having nine animals to take care of is a huge thing. Sometimes you want to go hang out with those friends or just have a night in, but when you have things that rely on you to live, it changes your mindset a ton,” Thomas said.
