Oklahoma national champion livestock exhibitors were recognized at the Oklahoma State Capitol as state leaders celebrated the accomplishments of 4-H and FFA members who earned top honors at national livestock shows this summer. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur said in a recent conversation with associate farm reporter Carli Davenport that the annual recognition highlights not only the students’ success in the show ring, but also the strength of Oklahoma agriculture and the next generation of industry leaders.
Arthur explained that this year’s event honored students who were named either champion or reserve grand champion in their respective breeds at national cattle, swine, sheep, and goat shows. “We’re here at the State Capitol recognizing our 4-H and FFA exhibitors who have shown at national shows this summer,” Arthur said. “That’s cattle exhibitors, hog exhibitors, sheep exhibitors, and goat exhibitors who’ve shown at their national shows during the summer and were either selected as the champion or reserve grand champion in their respective breeds.”
She noted that approximately 44 Oklahoma students earned the distinction across numerous breeds. “We always brag about we know we’ve got the best kids in Oklahoma in 4-H and FFA and certainly in the livestock industry,” Arthur said. “This year I think we’ve got 44 students who, no matter the breed that they were in—Angus, Maine-Anjou, Chianina, Hereford—we kind of go through all the breeds, and I think it’s just a testament to the strength of certainly our youth programs here in Oklahoma, but also the quality of livestock and the quality of families that we have.”
Arthur said legislators presented citations to the exhibitors and Governor Kevin Stitt joined the celebration to recognize their achievements. “We’re just really excited to get to recognize them,” she said. “We’re just proud to recognize excellence in agriculture here in the state of Oklahoma.”
Building the Future of Oklahoma Agriculture
Arthur believes the continued success of Oklahoma youth at national livestock shows is an encouraging sign for the future of production agriculture. “For me it’s certainly very exciting because we know we’ve got young people who will work hard, who will show up every day, who will get the job done,” she said.
She emphasized that livestock exhibition teaches lessons that extend well beyond the show ring. “Through showing, they’ve learned a lot of responsibility, but they also learn how to win and how to lose sometimes as well,” Arthur said. “A lot of the pieces of ag can be very, very challenging if you’re going to be an ag producer. But we’ve got these students who are living that every single day, and they’re having success.”
Arthur said perseverance is one of the greatest qualities these young exhibitors develop. “Even when things get difficult, they continue to show up,” she said. “When I think about the future of agriculture, we’re going to have these young people who understand, even when there’s some tough days, you still have to show up and make things happen.”
She added, “I think it is a wonderful signal to the opportunity that we have here in the state of Oklahoma for production agriculture and certainly for these young people to be leaders here in the state.”
Recognizing Hard Work
Arthur hopes the recognition at the Capitol reminds exhibitors that their dedication does not go unnoticed. “I hope these exhibitors know that we’re all very, very proud of them,” she said. “Governor Stitt is very proud of these exhibitors, our legislators, but really the entire state of Oklahoma.”
She also acknowledged the daily commitment required to care for livestock, especially during Oklahoma summers. “We understand that taking care of animals any time of the year is challenging, but especially during the summer months in Oklahoma can be really, really challenging,” Arthur said. “So we want to make sure that these exhibitors know we’re very proud of them.”
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting youth agricultural programs. “We’ll continue to support our 4-H and FFA programs as well as all of our livestock shows here in the state of Oklahoma,” Arthur said.
Investing in Agricultural Youth
Reflecting on her time serving as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Arthur said supporting young people has been among her proudest accomplishments. “It certainly has been the opportunity of a lifetime to work for Governor Stitt,” she said. “I had the chance to start working for him in January of 2019.”
Rather than pointing to a single achievement, Arthur said her greatest hope has been to elevate youth involved in agriculture. “Hopefully the broad thing that I hope that I’ve been able to do is really highlight our young people in the state of Oklahoma,” she said.
Arthur credited her own experiences in youth organizations for shaping her career. “I credit my success to both the 4-H and FFA programs,” she said. “I was a very typical ag kid here in the state of Oklahoma.”
She added, “We’ve tried to do as much as we can to encourage support for those programs, but also for all the folks that work in those areas, be they ag teachers or 4-H educators, and all those folks that help raise up our young people. I don’t think there’s anything better that we can do than invest in our youth, but especially our youth in agriculture,” Arthur said.
Looking Ahead
Arthur said Oklahoma agriculture is well positioned for continued success because of the state’s entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to embrace innovation. “I think one huge opportunity is the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that we have here in Oklahoma,” she said. “Oklahomans make things happen.”
She noted that agriculture constantly presents new challenges, requiring producers to adapt and innovate. “Mother Nature is a tough business partner, so you have to figure out how to make things happen,” Arthur said. “Whether it’s bringing in technology, finding a new business model, collaborating with someone else… I’m going to find the solution and the opportunities.”
Arthur also highlighted the role of research and innovation through Oklahoma State University. “Technology is a great resource,” she said. “We’ve got a great land grant institution at Oklahoma State University that can bring all of these resources to our producers as well.”
Despite agriculture’s ongoing challenges, Arthur remains optimistic. “I think there’s kind of unlimited opportunity because I think there is always challenges,” she said. “But I think there’s a true enthusiasm for continuing to produce food and fiber for the world, and I think we can make that happen in Oklahoma.”