Taking stock: Season closes on local livestock shows as kids head to majors

Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News
·1 min read

Just as exciting as the football season preceding it, stock show season gets going in the week after New Year's Day. Looking back, here are a few more scenes from a selection of shows within the Big Country.

Wylie High School junior Cameron Hayes, 17, washes his brother’s Hampshire pig a few hours before it will enter the ring at the Taylor County Livestock Show in Abilene Jan. 19. Even though the water from the hose was heated, Cameron did his best to avoid getting wet as temperatures in the barn hovered in the mid-20s.
Wylie High School junior Cameron Hayes, 17, washes his brother’s Hampshire pig a few hours before it will enter the ring at the Taylor County Livestock Show in Abilene Jan. 19. Even though the water from the hose was heated, Cameron did his best to avoid getting wet as temperatures in the barn hovered in the mid-20s.

Local livestock shows have wrapped up, for the most part. Now area agriculture students are turning their eyes and their projects toward major stock shows in Houston and San Antonio with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo having concluded Saturday.

Brendan Thrower, 14, gingerly takes a a chicken from Cash Miller during the Scurry Stars show at the Scurry County Junior Livestock Show Jan. 18.
Brendan Thrower, 14, gingerly takes a a chicken from Cash Miller during the Scurry Stars show at the Scurry County Junior Livestock Show Jan. 18.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins Feb. 28 and ends March 17 on St. Patrick's Day. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo runs Feb. 8-25.

Stock show dads wrestle the auctioneer’s rostrum into place for the sale at the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20.
Stock show dads wrestle the auctioneer’s rostrum into place for the sale at the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20.

Joining that mix is the 2024 San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, which began Thursday after holding its Junior Food Challenge Jan. 24. The show runs until Feb. 18 then skips nearly six weeks to return April 4 with their miniature Hereford competitions over that weekend.

Jim Ned’s Grace Dean corrals her pen of three rabbits as she waits for judge David Frazier to walk by during the Taylor County Livestock Show in Abilene Jan. 18.
Jim Ned’s Grace Dean corrals her pen of three rabbits as she waits for judge David Frazier to walk by during the Taylor County Livestock Show in Abilene Jan. 18.

With a solid footing in the 21st Century, the show returns April 13 for the Junior Robotics competition.

Rob Williams wrangles his chickens during the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20. Rob won first place in class 2 poultry.
Rob Williams wrangles his chickens during the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20. Rob won first place in class 2 poultry.

On April 20 at 2 p.m., San Angelo's Premium Livestock sale will commence.

Tres Besner, 6, is chased by his four-year-old brother down the stock pen alleys as the sale goes on in the next room at the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20.
Tres Besner, 6, is chased by his four-year-old brother down the stock pen alleys as the sale goes on in the next room at the Shackleford County Youth & Livestock Show in Albany Jan. 20.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Taking stock: Season closes on local livestock shows