Livestock $hows = Major Millions & Politics..
Cyber Monday edition of The G.O.A.T.
I’ve often wondered just how BIG is the financial aspect of Livestock Shows. Im not sure it can be measured in its entirety however, Texas Youth Livestock & Agriculture recently finished a research survey titled AN ASSESSMENT OF THE TEXAS 4-H AND FFA YOUTH LIVESTOCK PROGRAM: SCOPE, PERCEPTIONS, AND RETURN-ON-INVESTMENT.
The Assessment showed the livestock project is definitely worth the investment in the areas of: family time spent together, educational outcomes, life skill development, professional connections, and career preparation. Here are some interesting numbers:
Average Purchase Prices of State Validated Livestock Projects in Texas as reported by exhibitor families:
market steers - $7,730.18, heifers – $7,445.63,
barrows – $2,156.16, gilts – $1,987.92,
market lambs – $2,460.67, wether dams – $2,571.93
market goats - $2,375.64, breeding does – $2,145.75, wether does – $2,080.34.
Estimated grand total amount spent on Texas state-validated livestock projects - $196,482,231.24. (Not inclusive of all livestock projects, only state validated).
Two Families, One Vision: Newsom-Ripley Show Goats
Over sixty years in the livestock business and serving youth in Texas and around the country is what Kevin and Jeff bring to the table with this partnership. Newsom–Ripley Show Goats has made a push over the last four years to assemble the very best doe base, including lines from Jade, Halfmann, Walker, Prather, La Copa, Sturtz, Shrank, BTW, Pfeiffer and many other elite breeders. There are fifty plus does in the donor pen for either IVF or flush breeding’s for the upcoming season and 250 embryos have been placed in recips thus far. Both families are known for their livestock evaluation skills and both Kevin & Jeff have judged major livestock shows across the country. At a recent sale the auctioneer referred to the two as the “old new guys in the Texas goat industry” and these families believe that is a plus for the operation as they are working hard and fast to become one of the top operations in the country.
Jeff and Tina Ripley reside in Franklin, Texas and oversee the flush, AI, semen collection and IVF portion of the business, as well as kidding out 250 does in Franklin. They are in the process of converting some of the facilities into a full-time breeding and semen collection center for the business and the many customers we assist. They are often assisted by their daughter Lauren and son Colton who play a role in the operation as well. Jeff has recently retired as the Associate Director for County Operations of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to devote more time to the goat business
Kevin and Carla Newsom are farther west, and Kevin has recently retired from his career as a school administrator. They reside in Rocksprings, Texas. Their role in the operation includes kidding 250 bred does for the operation, all sales of offspring from the operation, advertising, social media, and the online sales & the live sales organization each year. Kevin and Carla oversee all online, live, and private treaty sales and they are assisted daily by their daughter Cydney who plays a major role on the sales and advertising side of the Newsom–Ripley Show Goat operation. They are also assisted by their son Conner and Katy with some of the day-to-day operations, as well as Katy designing all the advertising promos and social media ads. Logan and his wife Jenny Bett, who own Newsom Livestock, have worked in conjunction with Newsom-Ripley Show Goats on a couple of live sales featuring both operations. Cooper has also spent time with Jeff and Kevin helping with different aspects of the operation
It has been the goal from the start to never get too big to answer customers’ questions and help from the day of purchase right up to show day. With over sixty years of success in the major shows around Texas, serving their customer base will always be a priority. If you call Jeff or Kevin, you will get the customer service and guidance you need with your family project. Success in the showring is synonymous for these two families and they are always willing to help anyone willing to ask even if they don’t have a Newsom–Ripley bred show goat. Show wethers are the primary business but they also sell breeding stock, semen and breeding packages along with show lamb placement which has also been part of the operation for thirty years. There have been some big successes in a short period of time and both families are focused on growing this operation to an elite status nationwide.
Livestock Happenings - California Proposition 12
Is PROP 12 the biggest political decision potentially effecting Agriculture and/or the Livestock Show Industry?
California Proposition 12 ESTABLISHES NEW STANDARDS FOR CONFINEMENT OF SPECIFIED FARM ANIMALS; BANS SALE OF NONCOMPLYING PRODUCTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Prop 12 creates new minimum requirements on farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal.
These requirements which were upheld by the Supreme Court apply to the sale of ALL specified farm animal product raised or imported into California.
How does this impact Show Animal producers? Any show pigs (or poultry) raised in the state of California or another state being brought into California MUST now comply and be certified with the state of California!
Welcome to The G.O.A.T.
A newsletter intended to be fun and enlightening while covering a variety of topics from Show Goats and the livestock world, to mom’s favorite seasonal recipe. Have a topic do you'd like to read about? Give Kevin a call or text 254-459-2788 or drop us an email info@showgoats.com