Whether you are brand new at exhibiting livestock or 3rd generation, my best advice is still the same, “Go!” If you truly want to be successful, you have got to get out, meet people and get to know them. The best way to do this is to go to shows and sales, talk with breeders and exhibitors, and actively participate.
Go to every show and sale that you can. The more places you go, the more people you meet, and the more friends you make. At the end of the day, the friendships that you build are the most important. The friendships are lifelong, they are people who will always have your back and help you out along the way.
But don’t just go to the shows and sales to talk. You should learn something at every event you attend, these are the people to teach you something. These people are the ones that can help take you to the next level.
Lastly, when you are at these events, you need to be ACTIVELY participating. Are there contests at your junior national or regional shows? Is there showmanship available? Whatever activities the organization is hosting, participate and do your best. These contests are designed to help you grow as a livestock producer and person in general. Take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you.
Go show, Go interact, Go participate and succeed!
-Greg Kirlin
Greg Kirlin resides on his family farming operation in west central Illinois and is a Feed Sales
Representative and Marketing Specialist for a local feed & grain company, Dearwester Grain
Services. He uses his passion for livestock production to help local producers reach their
goals in both commercial and show stock settings. His brother and he both have a passion
for raising and exhibiting purebred Simmental cattle.
Greg lives by a quote from Grant Cardone which states “Your greatness is limited only by the investments you
make in yourself.” Keeping this quote close, Greg lives each day reaching for success and working towards
goals set daily. He hopes to challenge readers to create their own success through passion, determination, and
hard work.