When it comes to showing livestock in competitions, there are two crucial parties that will determine how you are judged—you and your livestock. While this can be a bit stressful, adequate preparation will ensure you have a successful showing. Here are a few tips that will help you perform better when showing livestock.

3 Tips for Showing Livestock

1. Understand Your Animal’s Behavior

Showmanship competitions are won by a team, and your team will be more successful if you understand the animal’s psychological habits. Understanding how your animal reacts to different circumstances will make it easier to get them to move or stay still like they are supposed to while in the ring. Even something like knowing how the animal switches its feet can make a difference in how you present to the judge.

2. Show the Animal’s Best Side

You should prepare the livestock with proper feed and grooming so that it is healthy, but even then, all animals have their weak points. Identifying these areas will help present the animal in a way that highlights their strengths—rather than its weaknesses. Be especially mindful of head height. You don’t want to hold your animal’s head at an uncomfortable height that causes it to look strained and unnatural.

3. Practice

You’ll always feel more comfortable and confident showing livestock if you practice the showmanship at home. Run through the routine with your animal, so you are both prepared. Pay attention to how master showmen run through their routine, and if possible, ask them for input. You can even look up videos online to see how winning showmen present their cattle. Pay attention to posture and the way they interact with their animal.

To get the best results when showing livestock, it helps to have the right products. Show Stopper Equipment by Vittetoe, Inc. in Keota, IA, has high-quality feed supplements available for all your show animals’ needs.  They also have many products are to help you present your animals so that they perfectly complement your expert showmanship. To learn more about their specialty products, visit them online or call (641) 636-2259.