Livestock Across Nebraska: Goats

Good morning everyone! This blog is part two of a five-part series in which each blog is about a different species of livestock. I have collected testimonies from five different people who have experience showing and raising that species of livestock. Each testimony talks about how the livestock are cared for, best memories of showing, a piece of advice for a younger showman, and more! This week's blog is all about goats!

Hello everyone!  My name is Hannah Robertson and I am from Southwest Nebraska. I will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall.  I am the oldest of three children.  This is my ninth year showing livestock; I’ve shown cattle, sheep, goats and horses.

The first year of showing consisted of lambs and cattle; after that, I added goats and horses.  I’ve shown at every type of show, from a small jackpot to national shows, and have been successful at the State level.  The biggest obstacle I’ve faced is dealing with the critics.  There will always be someone trying to hold you back from reaching your full potential and it’s important to work through the comments that are made.  The best part of showing is the connections you will make.  By going to a show, you have the opportunity to meet other showmen, those who one day may be leading the industry.

Every morning, my siblings and I wake up around 6:45 and head out to do chores.  We carefully make up feed, place in the feed buckets in their pens and take the sheep and goats for a walk.  We walk the animals down a hill, then take off halters and let the animals run up the hill to their feed.  My siblings and I chase our livestock back and let them into their pens.  After they are done eating, I move my goat to the barn and let him chill out there for the day.  In the evening, we let the livestock out of the barn, feed them and then we work showmanship after that.

On show day, I start my taking my animals out for a walk, to let them get out and move.  After that, I head to the wash rack to ensure that my goat is clean.  When I get back to my stall, I blow the goat dry and apply products to his hair.  Then I slip the chain on and I’m ready for the ring!

My advice to any showman would be to work hard and work with a purpose.  Find something inside that motivates you, otherwise it can be difficult to find the energy to work your livestock every night.   The amount of time and effort you put into your project is apparent in the ring, so represent yourself the way you want to be represented!