2017, Here We Come

Wow, just like that 2016 has come and gone. Knowing that it has been awhile since anyone has written a blog post, it is the time that I, Reagan, take over the reins and update you all. Just like many fall seasons in the past, the show heifers were sent to the pasture and next year’s show heifers take our place in the pens. However, this fall was a tad different.

We ended the 2016 show season at DuQuoin State Fair doing fairly well and I enjoyed my first State Fair experience with Queenie and Victoria. Now, I’m the head honcho in the barn with the other heifers gone and I’d like to say I’m pretty good at being the boss on the show side. I personally can’t wait for weaning time so we can have another pal, Caroline, on the show side. I just can’t wait to show her the ropes and make her as spoiled as me.

As most people know, Sierra headed down to Lake Land College to begin her freshman year of college. The past month and a half have been a big switch at the Day household as well as out in the barn. Luckily, she comes home on weekends when she isn’t busy working or at judging practice, but it still isn’t the same. We always believe that we miss our showman more than she misses us, but we confirm that maybe the feeling is mutual when we run to each other when she comes home. We also know that she enjoys being around us because she spends more time out in the barn rather than in the house.

One semester is done with school and she’s been home or showed us almost every weekend of that time period.  She has been fortunate enough to have several job opportunities with outstanding cattle breeders near Mattoon. She gets to extend her love for cattle while she is at school; however, we all know that it isn’t quite like being at home with all of us.

Of course, Chayton is doing well in junior high and mom and dad are crazy busy with work. The barn is running smoothly as ever and Sierra began the new show season in Louisville with her new heifer Anna Marie. You know, I hope Sierra knows she is going to have to equally love us all because I get jealous a lot and need lots of love and affection.

The 2016 show string was sent out to pasture, heifers have been sold, heifers have been bought, the new show season has begun and winter calves are beginning to be born. Sierra is headed to Denver this week with work and the kids are going back to school here within the next few days as well. Life is crazy busy around here, but we are all ready for 2017.

Best wishes,

Reagan

Life is Grand in the I-Land

WOW. That’s all I can say about a long, hot, eventful week in Grand Island, Nebraska for the 2016 National Junior Angus Show. Queenie, Adora, and I were fully prepared to be at a show for a week long but what we didn’t expect was how big and how high quality the show would be.

Kelsey and Sierra pumped that we made it to Nebraska!

On Saturday, Kelsey, Sierra and Chayton arrived in Nebraska to set up the Illinois State Display and mark all te exhibitors stalls and tie-outs. The theme for Illinois’ display was a beach theme and we were all living on the Illinois Angus Resort.

On Sunday, the girls and I- oh and mom and dad- arrived to begin the long week. They were able to check us cattle in and also enjoy an Illinois state meal that i heard was wonderful!

Monday brought the Queen’s luncheon for Sierra and opening ceremonies for all the exhibitors. Opening ceremonies includes all of the states parading in showing off their matching attire and even some entertainment. After the ceremony, there was a tailgate party and fireworks due to Monday being the 4th of July.

Kelsey and Sierra before the Queen’s luncheon

Illinois FCF Show Kids before opening ceremonies

Double Trouble after all of Monday’s festivities

On Tuesday, Sierra competed in the Cook-Off contest where her team placed 1st in Senior Steak Showmanship and 2nd Overall in the Senior Steak Division.

After 3 days at the show, it was Adora and I’s time to shine. Getting stuck in some tough classes in the bred and owned show, we missed placing in the top half of our classes but still showed to the best of our ability. For those of you who do not know, the bred and owned heifer show is specifically for heifers that were born and raised on the exhibitor’s farm; whereas, Queenie who is an Owned heifer was not born on our farm but instead purchased from another farm. That Wednesday afternoon, Sierra also competed in Team Sales, which included her team and her to act as though they were selling a bull as a potential herd sire prospect. Her team placed 2nd in the Senior division.

Sierra and I showing in our class of the NJAS bred and owned show

Everyone getting me ready to show in the Bred and Owned Show

During the bull show on Thursday, Sierra dressed up all fancy as Miss Illinois Angus and presented awards to the bull exhibitors. She also competed in the buzzer round of Quiz Bowl; unfortunately, her team did not place in this competition.

Friday called for Sierra and Kelsey to hold tails for the FCF fitting crew while some heifers were being primped for the first part of the Owned Show. Friday night, Sierra, Kelsey, and Chayton all attended Closing Ceremonies where Chayton received first place in the Junior Angus Cattle Photography division and Sierra was awarded an Angus Foundation scholarship.

Saturday finally rolled around, which meant Queenie’s day to show in the Owned Show. Placing 4th in a tough class, we all were extremely thrilled with her performance.We also headed home shortly after Queenie showed and made it home by midnight.

Sierra,Kelsey, and Queenie waiting in the make up area before Queenie’s class

Getting Queenie all pretty

Queenie striking a pose for the judge

The National Junior Angus Show is the biggest single-breed junior show out there and us heifers were excited to be there. A show truly takes a village to be run so we are thankful for the hospitality of the host state of Nebraska and for all of the American Angus Association staff that put in a ton of time and effort into this event. A big thank you goes to Sierra and Chayton’s grandparents for always traveling to shows with us, their parents for spending the money for the kids to chase this crazy dream, to Kelsey for continuously scooping poop, doing Sierra’s hair, helping hold tails, etc., and to the FCF team for all of their help. I know that Sierra and Chayton are beyond thankful to have a strong support system behind them.

Stay tuned on how we handle life at a county fair!

Victoria

Back At It

Boy oh boy have I missed the show ring and all of you readers out there! It’s been a hectic past few months so the blog posts were lacking for a period of time;however, just like the show season my writing is back and better than ever.

After spending weeks upon weeks getting groomed and practicing our showmanship, Lana, Victoria, Adora, and I all traveled to Bloomington, Illinois for the Central Illinois Angus Preview Show and Illinois Junior Angus Field Day for two competitive days of showing. I believe Illinois truly has the toughest state Angus show around. With there being more than 180 head shown, Victoria and I were honored to be able to stand out in our respective divisions to compete for a championship title. Even though we did not receive one of these titles, Sierra and I still battled our way to the 3rd place spot in the Senior Showmanship Division of kids that are not quite ready to compete to represent Illinois at the National Junior Angus Show. I’m proud of my showman and know she will be ready to compete for one of those spots in the next couple of years.

Although Sierra’s foot is slightly injured she still stayed dedicated and worked as hard as she could to make us look our best as well as managing her Illinois Angus Queen duties. I know she is as excited as we are to be beginning the 2016 summer show season! 

A major thank you goes out to the FCF crew for their assistance in getting me ready and making sure I was in tip-top shape to compete in this event. I am excited to get back on the road again and visit the state of Kentucky and compete at the All-American Angus Breeder’s Futurity. I have no doubt that this show won’t disappoint and that I will have a fun-filled journey with my old bunk mates. I promise to document my adventures and maybe some day I’ll let the other heifers have the spotlight to share some stories, but until then- stay tuned and be on the lookout for what is happening next!

Goin’ Showin’,

Queenie

 

The Feelings You Don’t Expect To Have As A Showman

Hello everyone,

It’s Queenie here back at it with a new blog post with a little twist but first let me catch you up on life. I know I am a little behind but about two weeks ago I showed at the Illinois Beef Expo where I got second in my class. Let me tell you something, that sure was an exciting time! The weather was beautiful and I was treated just like the high maintenance diva that I am. Summer cannot roll around quick enough for me to get back into the ring and show myself off some more. Okay, okay enough about me; now it is time for that twist I was talking about.

So as we all know, the four legged creatures around here tell the stories but this time I am going to give up the throne for a little bit and let Sierra do the talking, well sort of. As any other day, she was telling me a story about things that have been happening recently and well today this story touched me a lot so I have to share with you all the exact words she told me:

“Queenie, get in your pen come on, come on it is feeding time and I have to tell you some things. Recently, someone asked me what my good luck charm was and without hesitation I answered ‘My bracelet, actually it is an In Loving Memory bracelet’ but then I had to stop myself before I started sharing all the stories of what a great guardian angel there is taking care of all the cattle in heaven and helping us all out down here. I know you didn’t know Justin long, but I know you knew him well enough to understand the impact he had on everyone. Well, this moment also got me thinking about how I can’t thank Justin enough for all he has done for me when he was my fitter but even now as he’s up there watching over us. I don’t think I’ve been able to get through some situations without telling myself to just smile, try harder, and be myself.

  
As a showman you expect joy, defeat, hard work, dedication, lack of sleep, and the comfort of fairgrounds all over the country being your home with people that become your family. What you don’t plan is dealing with hearing part of your show family left this world too soon. You don’t plan on facing grief and emptiness when the showing gets back into full swing.

You know, the grief it comes in little spurts even the ones that I should be expecting. It’s when I was holding your tail at Princeton then I realized it wasn’t Justin that I was saving from you whacking in the face. I started to grasp it wasn’t him perfecting the belly when we were getting close to the first call of our class and then the emotions hit but then they stopped. I can’t explain it, but then the emotions automatically turned around and it was as if Justin was standing there saying ‘She looks good, good luck’ and it was all better from there. I looked down at my bracelet, I adjusted my harness and I took a hold of the halter and I couldn’t help but understand that he was there helping us get through the ring.

   
   
It hit when we were all packing up at Illinois Beef Expo saying our goodbyes and the only hug and high five missing that day was Justin’s. I didn’t catch him pacing along ring side as we turned the corner but i know he had a front row seat the whole time. 

But the emotions don’t just happen at cattle shows, it was when I was giving my prepared speech at the section contest that I remembered to try harder than I originally planned, smile bigger than I ever have during a speech, and be the most of myself that I could be. That reminder and lesson from Justin gave me the blessing to be qualified for Districts. That same lesson gave me confidence and allowed me to compete at Districts in my favorite record book area, Beef Production Entrepreneurship.

  
It’s when life doesn’t go according to plan but I have to remember to keep going strong and laugh it off. It’s when there’s a newborn bull calf waiting in the barn when I really wanted a heifer calf but I have to look at it as a blessing that the calf is alive. That’s when I find myself taking a page out of Justin’s book, being the best I can be and always coming out with a positive outlook of the situation. 

It’s almost been 5 months since heaven gained an incredible cowboy and sometimes there’s moments that trigger that he’s not here to celebrate but then there’s blessings that show us that his name is written all over it. It’s hard walking out of the ring and not being greeted with his high five, but it’s comforting to know he’s helping out in every way that he can just in a different way than we are all used to. May he help us in many different ways and encourage us to live every day like he would. Even though things aren’t the same, I’m ready for summer and all that it holds because I know that Justin is looking out for us every step of the way. I can’t thank him enough for impacting me so much in such a short time. He’ll be right there with us Queenie, you’ll see.”

May you all be blessed this showing season and just remember to always smile more, try harder, and do you.

Waiting on summer,

Queenie

 

New Queen, Same Dream

Hey there,

I’m sure you all have heard the chatter that there’s a new diva in Grace’s show halter so I thought I’d go ahead and introduce myself, properly. My name is Queenie and I come from the IL/IN line from the same farm Grace came from. Now I know many people love Grace so I am trying to fill these big shoes she has left for me. 

 A little over 2 weeks ago, Sierra and I began the 2016 show season at the Gibson County Preview Show in Princeton, IN. Everything went smoothly and we even brought home a class win and Top 5 in Showmanship!  

 I wasn’t too sure how I felt about this whole becoming a show heifer thing, but I tell you it sure is fun living the dream. I get a ton of attention and am always guaranteed to be spoiled; I can’t wait to see how much attention I get by the end of the show season!

For my first show, it was hard to understand all the preparation that needed to be done but I was on my best behavior especially for not being done showing until about 11pm!

There’s a lot of preparation and people that went into making my first show a success. On behalf of Sierra and myself, I want to thank everyone for all of their help.

Thank you to Sierra’s family and friends.

Thank you to her parents supporting her out of the country and thank you to her best friend and twin, Kelsey, for being copilot and traveling the country to go show some cows. 

 Thank you to our show family.

A special thank you goes out to the people who put together this crazy show family that Sierra belongs to. Being able to watch my showman laugh and live out her dream is one of the best things I am able to witness

   

 Thank you to the crew.

That show family also doubles as the Four Corners Farms crew that helps Sierra make me the best I can be. They have taught Sierra many lessons of the cattle industry and I don’t think there’s any better people to stand on the sidelines encouraging us every step of the way. With that being said there’s many little things I’d like to thank this crew for:

• Thank you for pep talks
• Thank you for high fives
• Thank you for smiles
• Thank you for encouraging words and confidence boosters
• Thank you for making sure Sierra doesn’t freeze 
• Thank you for making me look 110% 

And most importantly:

• Thank you for being the most supportive people on the sidelines at 11pm after a long day doing some cattle showing. A win isn’t a win if the best crew isn’t there waiting for you at the finish line

And of course,

Thank you to our guardian angel.

Thank you for blessing the chutes, the glue, the combs, the clippers and the hands that were used to make me look top notch and the hands that were used to lead me through the ring. Thank you for helping Sierra and I work together as a team and show our hearts out. We know you would’ve been right there at the gate waiting with a high five and a smile. Miss you, cowboy; thank you for taking care of us! 

 The year has just begun; stay tuned for more tales of the barn!

New to the ring,

Queenie👑

New Year, New Life

Hey all it’s Grace, do I have a story for you! You see I have been making everyone nervous about this whole first time calving thing. They’re all worried about if I could handle it. That’s right I said if I could handle it because I definitely handled it all on my own. 
Sierra brought me in like any other night letting me sleep under the camera so they can watch me and Champ in the house. Well on this particular evening Champ beat me to the pen right by the camera so no one could really see the main attraction of the evening but it is alright because I had everything under control.
So this is how the evening went; Champ and I were put into our pens at chore time. Roughly after supper time, the family was checking on us through the camera and saw a black blob in my pen that resembled a calf. Of course, Sierra came out to check on me and sure enough this is what she found 

   
  Me and my new baby bull calf! They may have missed the calving process but they sure hadn’t missed the end result. 
When Sierra told everyone the news, they came out and started treating my baby with vaccinations such as Vitamin B and Vitamin A, D, and E. They also made sure to measure him so we can watch him grow.
They also tagged him to make sure we know which calf is which out in the lot   

 
 My calf already gets plenty of lovings and loves to play. We all can’t wait to see him grow!
Keep a look out for more adventures happening!
Grace

An Open Letter to My Fitter That I Should’ve Written Month

As many have seen on social media, the cattle industry lost a legend that so many got the chance to meet. The other cattle and I feel the heavy hearts that have lingered around the barns for a few weeks. I know Sierra has struggled to find just the words to say so on her behalf and my own I, Grace, want to thank Justin Lillesand for all he did to impact our lives.

Sometimes life feels like it only lasts as long as a show season, unfortunately. One day you’re shearing calves in the spring and the next you’re sending them out to pasture then road tripping to find next year’s show diva. One day you’re laughing at the chutes and the next you’re praying for one more day of summer just to see that contagious smile again. I know that we never thanked you enough, Justin, for the little things you did. If we could spend one more day inhaling tail adhesive I know Sierra and I would tell you this:

Thank you for always walking up clippers in hand ready to tackle the belly.

I know every time I would go into the chute there you would be clippers in hand, shirt untucked, and with that smile on your  face. Every time we walked up to the fitting area it was obvious that you loved being in the atmosphere and you made everyone love being there with you

Thank you for believing in us.

It seems pretty explanatory, but the way you cared for Sierra and I will never be forgotten. You looked at me as if I was a heifer that you had just been waiting for; as if I was one you had bred and raised. You would sit quiet but intense on the sidelines making sure Sierra and I knew just what to do to make me look like a dream. You always cheered along side the rest of the crew and waited for that champion handshake alongside us all summer long.

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

Every time a “good luck” or “she looks good” came from your tongue the confidence level of Sierra and I boosted about 100%. You didn’t have to tail me through the make up ring or brush my hair one last time but you did and every time you did it was with some encouraging phrase that put us in the game.

Thank you for the congratulations.

You helped rush me to the wash rack to give me an ice bath after the big win. You grabbed a fan to cool me off and rewarded me with a pat on my head. You gave Sierra a high five as she stood drenched in sweat after our champion title in the ring. Thank you for being there to congratulate us on something we were so happy to achieve.

Thank you for being here to see it all happen.

From my first class win to my Champion Angus title at DuQuoin and all the ups and downs in between thank you for all you did and watching me progress into the production female I am today. I know it was a long road but I can’t thank you enough for guiding Sierra and I along the way.

Thank you for teaching us how to live.

If there’s anything I can thank you the most for it is how to live each day to the fullest. Thank you for always being a goofball no matter the situation. We all appreciate how much you impacted our lives and motivate each and everyone of us to be more like you. We each reach to take a page out of your book and look at life the same way that you did. Thank you for impacting my life, my showman’s life, and all others that traveled through the barns and knew your shining face. You do you, cowboy. Fly high, and don’t forget us down here because we always need your help.

While I’m still here I want to thank the rest of the fitters, second families, or just anyone willing to help a hand during my show career and Sierra’s years showing as well. You all have made an impact in our lives by believing in us, encouraging us, supporting us, and watching our journeys unfold. As I head back out to the pasture, I want to remind you to always live life to the fullest and do you. Tomorrow is never promised, tell the one’s who mean the most to you that you love them and that you care for them; remind them just how much they mean to you. I also ask you to take a page out of Justin’s book and make that cowboy proud. Until next time, just enjoy the ride.

Yours truly,

Grace

From Show Barn to Green Grass

Hey all!

You heard it right, the last month has been full of crazy events. Sierra’s senior year has definitely begun with her being named the first Cerro Gordo High School Student of the Month for the 2015-2016 school year! A big kick off for Sierra’s last high school moments. On top of that, the girls and I said adios to the fans and hola to the green heaven where I love to graze. Yes, this pampered baby that took an ice bath at her last show loves sun bathing in the pasture.  

 Recently, we welcomed Emma’s new calf to the world, a stout bull calf that we are very excited to watch progress. He is already staying in the fence better than Mira and is preparing himself for the show life; they find him laying in with the new show strong, under the fans, quite a bit. I think this little guy is going to be more needy for the fan more than I am!  

   
The pasture sure is fun; I get to eat whenever I want and of course I always get visits even though I am not in the barn every day anymore. I think it is a known fact that I am loved greatly and will be forever spoiled even if I am not a show heifer anymore.  

 I have heard the new show heifers are enjoying their baths and all the attention they receive. I hope they take time to let you all know how they like their new routine. 

I guess what you all want to hear is the sappy post where the show heifer makes everyone tear up. Well here it is: I couldn’t have travelled around the country, received the championship titles or showed to my best without Sierra. And of course she could’ve never achieved everything without me- her number one motivator and go to person for anything and everything. Kisses and hugs and goofing around was what the summer consisted of oh and of course working our hardest to continue to develop me into the production female I am today. Long walks and hot days were worth it and I know I would be a show heifer all over again if I could. None of this show season would’ve been possible without Sierra on the lead and the FCF crew behind the scenes. I couldn’t have continued to grow, develop, and take names without you all. It’s been a good year, now I’m ready to continue my job as a cow. 

Stay tuned for more stories but for now I’ll be eating all of the grass in the pasture if you need me!  

  Always a show heifer,

Grace

Horseflies, Heat, and Handshakes

Hey everyone, it’s Grace here rested up from our hot and exciting weekend down south as I am sure most of you have heard already. After Farm Progress Show on Thursday evening Harmony, Tink, and I headed down to DuQuoin for the DuQuoin State Fair leaving Chayton and Sierra home to go to school on Friday and meet us at the fairgrounds Friday night with Kelsey along for the entertainment. Now let me just say I was more than excited when Sierra was there to lead me around the fairgrounds; I was absolutely thrilled. 

 
We woke up at 6 on Saturday morning and were fed our delicious feed and hay and we were also watered for the morning. We did not get washed until about 9am due to the show starting at 1pm. Sierra and I went for a walk in the show ring after I ate to see how I would like the ring and make sure I was comfortable with my surroundings. 

About 11am I was fed again and Sierra went to go get lunch and change before fitting time started. They started getting me ready a little before the show started and I went up to the ring about when Sierra was showing Harmony, whom received second in her class. I got to see the tail end of Tink’s class where she also got second. Then it was my turn.

Sierra and I stood what seemed like ten minutes waiting on the judge to pick his top three of the class when finally he chose me to win the class 

 We then went in the ring for the championship drive where I was named Champion Angus Female in the DuQuoin State Fair Junior Show.  

 I then was rushed to the wash rack to get cooled down so I could rest before Supreme Female Drive. I learned that if I breathe heavy enough they’ll give me two ice baths within a 20 minute time span. 

 After representing the Angus breed in Supreme Drive it was time to rest up for Sunday where we were up at 6am again. And once again we went for a walk after being fed and watered but this time we took a long walk in the grass. 

 I received my bath at 9am again and I didn’t show until about 2:30pm and I was just as hot as the day before. They had to hold ice on my neck and brisket and put me in front of a fan while we waited for my turn to show. Once again I was able to win my class and then also win the Senior Division.  

    
 I then competed in the Championship drive where I received Reserve Champion Angus in the Open Show. Unfortunately, they only choose a Supreme Champion and not a Reserve Supreme but luckily I didn’t have to be hot any longer. I could go get a bath and take a nap! 

We headed home around 5pm and I was very excited to be home sweet home. It was definitely a weekend I know we’ll never forget!

Cooled down and fly free,

Grace

Mr. T’s Move

That’s right, you heard the bawls and you all know what that means. As of yesterday, I, Mr. T, am a big boy now. As the fifth and final calf of the winter/spring calving season here at Day Cattle Farm I have officially moved to the ‘big kid’ side. I even got lucky enough that Mira moved to pasture yesterday so I got my own pen!

The show heifers are prepping for the DuQuoin State Fair and my friends sure are happy to be reunited with me again! Buster and I had fun playing like good ole times. 

My appetite is growing and I’m starting to learn that I don’t need my mom, Tasha, to support me anymore. I sure did love grazing the pasture but I’ve accepted my transfer to the other side of the hallway without any refusal. The water tank is easy to find, we get plenty of hay, and they weren’t lying about the breeze of the fan, people!

I know from my bawls it sounds like I’m not adjusting to this weaning thing all that well but in reality I have been so used to my mom’s milk that it’s hard for me to understand I do not need it anymore to grow as a production animal. Don’t let me fool you, I really enjoy life over here. They give me special attention and treat me just like a king. 

They all are slowly getting used to me having some Maine and Simmental blood in me. I may not be a purebred Angus bull but I’m trying my hardest to fit in with the herd. We definitely all get along just fine over here in this little lot.

  
Some people don’t adapt to change and moves very well but I am liking it very well. I can’t wait to start progressing into a herd sure prospect and also get tied up, rinsed, and brushed like all the big heifers. They tell me I have a lot of learning ahead of me but I’m ready to take on the challenge!

Wish me luck,

Mr. T