My Take Tuesday: The Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show
Black smoke bellowed vertically, cutting through the blue Castle Valley sky. The news was difficult to process. The images were seared into my mind. On Monday night, June 24th, the stockshow barn at the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock show was gutted by a raging inferno. Within minutes, the destruction was complete.
This large red barn in Ferron, Utah occupies many of the ravines and ridges in the canyons of my memory.
I exhibited lambs at my first show in the summer of 1988. Each summer of my childhood included a week inside this barn. I can still smell the wood shavings and hear the hustle and bustle of the show barn. I can taste the snowcones and cheeseburgers. I hear the voice of the auctioneer and the bid callers surrounding the arena yelling, “YEEEPPPP!” with each increasing bid.
Life can change in an instant, leaving us standing alone, wounded, with only our memories to comfort us.
During the past week, I have thought much about this tragedy. I have wondered why this stings so badly. What about this building is so difficult to let go?
Much of who I am today is because of this small community. This stockshow builds character, fosters discipline, educates youth about agriculture, and promotes sportsmanship. Caring for animals brings out the best in us. Whether it is a piglet, a lamb, a calf, a puppy, or a kitten, with events like these children learn what it feels like to have a living creature rely on them. This teaches responsibility in a way little else can. Caring for a pet creates a sense of empathy and a respect for life. It teaches commitment and consistency, builds self-confidence, and provides immense joy.
I remember as a 7-year-old, how attached I became to my own lamb during my first show. I cried on the day of the sale as I hugged my lamb goodbye.
One of the greatest values of this livestock show provides is the opportunity for youth to gain confidence by caring for something that is completely dependent on them. I remember a young child who was hesitant to enter a pen with the lamb he was preparing for the stock show that year. The previous year, he had been injured by a ram while feeding the sheep with his dad, causing him to develop a fear of sheep. Even standing near a pen of sheep made him shake with fear.
Despite his fear, he had to confront it because without his care, the lamb would not be able to eat, drink, or have a clean and tidy living space. Gradually, this young boy grew more comfortable around livestock. I see a reflection of this timid boy every morning when I look in the mirror.
This unforeseen event occurred just weeks before the stockshow was to take place. The committee that organizes this event was resolute in finding a way forward following this tragedy. Fortunately, this year’s show will still be held at an arena just 10 miles away in Castle Dale.
I am sharing a photo from inside this barn from 1988.
The smile on my face right now is just as big as I remember this exciting day.
And that is my take!
N. Isaac Bott, DVM
DocBott 