Is there an even playing field at stock shows?

burniegoeasily · 03-02-2004, 10:01 AM

I live in the sticks, and showing animals is a big part of the kids lives around here. I have noticed that the grand champions always tend to be the kids whos family have the most money. I have had a student tell me her family spends over 20, 000 a year on her animals. They fly all over the nation hand picking bulls, then pay wet backs to raise them. This girl simply holds the rope at the show and wins. I think there should be some sort of price rule enforced.

Sorry, had to rant a little. Been talking to upset students.

BigBore1895 · 03-02-2004, 10:08 AM

Hmmm, I am not sure about this one. On one hand, your heart is in the right place wanting to even the playing field for kids. But on the other, it seems like a somewhat utopian view for a capitalist society. Same thing in other sports, rich kids get lessons from pros, the best equipment, etc... I think it is just something that will always happen in a society based around competition. Is it right? Probably not. But at least here we can all have a good shot at attaining those things we didn't have for our children, whereas in a communist or socialist state you are kind of sold on your lot in life.

Tazman · 03-02-2004, 10:19 AM

The problem with what you would like to see is the whole reason behind these stock shows is not for how great of a job the kid did raising and caring for the animal. it is all about the animal and what it will contribute gentically to the future of livestock. I agree that it would be nice if they had a division whith a dollar limit on the animal and the judging be geared to the care and raising of the animal and not the animal itself.

stealthycat · 03-02-2004, 10:39 AM

"wet backs" ???????

eldeguello · 03-02-2004, 10:48 AM

I don't know about stocjk shows, but I DO KNOW that at horse shows, there sure ain't-a level playing field, that is!!

45Hawken · 03-02-2004, 10:49 AM

I'm not sure you can ever level this field or would want to. the result would not be a quest for the best, but a general decline in quality. Yes it is sad when parents spend huge sums of money for show animals. How do you stop it ? What if they spent $20000 for a bred cow and raised the same calf? do you put price limits on the cost of breeding stock? What if the child comes from a family that raises seed stock? Are they kicked out just because their family has a better herd than their neighbors. I did know of one county that had an alternative class. Every winter the fair board purchased a truck load of steers from a large western rancher. The cattle were peas in a pod. These calves were then selected by the youths by lottery. They then were shown in a special class. This was a contest not of who had the best animal, but who demonstrated the best ability of getting the best performance out of the calf they drew.

eldeguello · 03-02-2004, 10:51 AM

Quote:

But on the other, it seems like a somewhat utopian view for a capitalist society. Same thing in other sports, rich kids get lessons from pros, the best equipment, etc...

Yes, and in a COMMUNIST society, it is the PARTY MEMBERS' kids who get the favored treatment......

Think maybe it's due to the way humans are (called human nature???), and NOT to whatever economic system their governments adopt???

Jorgy · 03-02-2004, 10:54 AM

the fha stock shows are funny to me. My niece started to show cattle 3 summers ago so it's the first that I've been exposed to this kind of thing. I can understand about a level playing field, and there certainly isn't one. Even selling your steer is about who you know since the bidders all seem to be business aquaintences of family friends. Kids who don't know "anyone" normally get market price or a little more, A "connected" family get market plus good cash. That is how it works in little town Wisconsin anyway.

From what I've seen with my niece though it's more about learning how to work for a living and managing a little business. It's been a great learning experience for her.

burniegoeasily · 03-02-2004, 11:00 AM

Quote:

But on the other, it seems like a somewhat utopian view for a
capitalist society

I agree, except that some of these shows offer
collage scholarships. It is all capitalism, and that is the way it works, i
agree. As for other sports, there are limitations. I have coached in the
high schools for over 10 years. A student can not have a paid coach at the
schools practice. They can have a paid coach at home all they want. A
student will lose his UIL eligibility if he has a paid (outside) coach assist him during school hours or at UIL comp.. You see this extra help showing
through in roughly two sports, golf and tennis.

Wes Tex · 03-02-2004, 10:23 PM

This post was off-topic.