Running Head: LIVESTOCK SHOWS, ABUSE?

Stoner 1

Livestock Shows Effects on Animal Welfare and Animal Rights,

and Stances on Abuse in the Field

Samuel Robert Stoner

Instructor Franks

ANSC 2360.03

18th of February, 2018

Running Head: LIVESTOCK SHOWS, ABUSE? Stoner 2

Introduction

Everyone knows the time of year when the smell of fried Oreos, funnel

cake and smelly livestock barns come into town, its clear that the county fair is in

full swing. While most attend these fairs for the rides, food and overall

entertainment, some come for the local livestock shows. But over the past few

decades, these shows have been receiving criticism for their show ethics,

specifically in the cattle industry. From protests to harassment to, animal rights

activists know how to pick a fight with the exhibitors at the show. Luckily with

new advancements in the industry exhibitors were successful in changing any

questionable practices. Yet animal rights activists still claim our actions are

inhumane, which asks the question, are livestock shows inhumane? With the

countless humane practices used on cattle and rules in place to prevent abuse, I

believe it is not inhumane, even when considering questionable points which

animal activists throw to the public to question.

History

For generations people have had the chance to exhibit livestock of any kind,

but the most common is the exhibition of cattle. In 1896, the first stock show was

held in north Fort Worth, which is now referred to as the Fort Worth Stock Show

and Rodeo (Hinton, 2012). Now, there are stock shows around the continental

United States, such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Antonio Stock

Show and Rodeo, and all local county fairs in the US. Later, the introduction of

other species in exhibition became popular, such as swine, lambs, goats, and many

more. This can also be concurrent to the introduction of agricultural organizations

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such as the National FFA and 4H chapters across the country. But with the rise in

livestock shows comes the rise of animal activists protesting, specifically on

practices which exhibitors use to create a fit animal for the show ring.

Practices Used and how the Public Views these Practices

Many practices which exhibitors find common can be regarded as cruel or

unethical to people persuaded to form to animal rights activists. For example, in a

study conducted by professors from Texas A&M University and the University of

Idaho, “Control group participants were asked to sort a list of eight livestock

showing practices as either ethical or unethical prior” (Goodwin, Murphy &

Briers, 2002). The list they were given appeared as follows:

1. “Twine glued to cattle in order to exhibit the animal at its best advantage.”
(Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

2. “Clipping, fitting, and grooming an animal in order to exhibit the animal at

its best natural advantage.” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

3. “Changing the color pattern of an animal so that it can be shown in

another breed classification.” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

4. “False ownership, showing an animal that really doesn't belong to you.”

(Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

5. “Drenching an animal with water in order to meet a minimum weight

requirement.” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

6. “Cleaning or polishing the hooves of an animal (if not against the rules of
the show).” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

7. “Drenching an animal with water in order to express capacity and volume

in a breeding animal.” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)
Running Head: LIVESTOCK SHOWS, ABUSE? Stoner 4

8. “The use of a diuretic (such as Lasix) in order to meet a weight

requirement.” (Goodwin, Murphy & Briers, 2002)

With this information, the group decided that only points 2 and 6 could be

ethical, while points 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are considered unethical (Goodwin,

Murphy & Briers, 2002). As observed, the practices which exhibitors use have

a negative connotation to the public, which raises the ultimate question of the

line we draw when it comes to being unethical or ethical in preparing your

livestock for the big show.

While these are the main points of discussion in this specific study, there

are many others which exhibitors may use either daily or at the day of show.

We will be able to go into detail on multiple strategies used to improve the

animal’s physique, health, and safety which may be viewed negatively by the

public.

Cons of Livestock Show Practices

Many forms of livestock show practices are acceptable in the eyes of

exhibitors and can be perceived as negative to the public due to their purpose.

But some techniques can be viewed as inhumane and cruel to even some of

the exhibitors, which is something I have personally believed. An article by

the National Association of County Agricultural Agents proves that these

techniques are used commonly through a survey which they conducted to both

youth exhibitors, and adults with the youth exhibitors (parents, family, etc.).
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The survey was conducted with 8 examples of “unethical” treatment of

animals before and at show, and the participants marked ”yes” to believing the

practice unethical and “no” to say the practice is ethical to conduct (Boone,

Ankron, Boone & Woloshuk, 2018). The results listed as follows:

Youth Adults

N % N %

Cutting lambs' tails too close 27 64.3 21 65.6

Hitting uncooperative animals 34 81.0 24 75.0

Leaving lambs in trimming chutes for extended

33 78.6 22 68.8
periods of time

Pulling a lamb's head where its feet leave the

25 59.5 17 53.1
ground

Using sedative type drugs on animals 30 71.4 24 77.4

Running overweight animals 23 54.8 16 50.0

Using mechanical equipment to teach animals

23 57.5 15 46.9
to lead

Restrictive feeding of an animal 20 47.6 13 40.6

Overall, people believed that these practices were mostly unethical to use

in any manner, such as hitting uncooperating animals and using sedative types

of drugs on animals (Boone, Ankron, Boone & Woloshuk, 2018). But looking

deep into the results shows that some of these practices people deem ethical as

well, such as restrictive feeding of an animal, which over 50% of youth

believe to be ethical (Boone, Ankron, Boone & Woloshuk, 2018). People

could view this as the belief that stock shows are cruel and unethical.
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Pros of Livestock Show Practices

While some practices may seem unethical to the public eye, a majority are

believed to just be misconceived to everyone, and really cause no harm. In an

article posted by the blog page “Southern States”, the author goes into deep

detail over different techniques which are humane but misconceived to the

public, specifically in show cattle.

First, our author dissects halter breaking and teaching to lead the calf. The

author states that by tying the calf to a fence for “30 minutes to a few hours at

a time when introducing this concept” you have a higher chance of safety for

not only the exhibitor, but to the animal as well (Southern Showman, 2018).

Imagine a 1200-pound steer at a show that hasn’t been halter broken running

loose. Of course, he places a dangerous threat to the people around, but the

calf can cause severe wear on the face and neck to the animal, as he can step

on his own halter rope repeatedly. So now we see why it is a necessity to

halter break any form of livestock.

With teaching the animal to lead with a halter, the author states to “Use

the pressure and reward system. If your calf responds to the pressure on the

rope, to move forward, reward him by releasing the pressure.” (Southern

Showman, 2018). Of course people can be more radical in teaching a calf how

to lead, but it all depends on the actual participant and how he/she goes on

doing it. But practices like these show that our intention as exhibitors means

no harm whatsoever, no matter the cost.

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Conclusion

Inhumane practices do exist in the livestock show industry, and new

methods of cruelty are discovered all around our country. Even the reserve grand

champion steer in 1991, which sold for $12,000 was disqualified and money

returned due to an illegal substance found in the animal (Murphy & Norwood,

1992). But to justify my opinion, I read into an article by California State

University, which explains how animals should be treated as they are being fitted

and groomed for show (Gauld, 2018). It goes in detail on being precise, clear, and

careful for the animals own safety (Gauld, 2018). Exhibitors go a long way not

only to win a grand champion buckle, but to love and take care of their projects.

Personally, if I had a penny for the amount of hours I spent at the barn, you may

as well call me Bill Gates. As agriculture advances, so does the livestock practices

and tools which showmen use to ensure the best animal for exhibition. But I do

believe it should be our duty to inform the public about the truths of our practices,

without letting myths spread by animal rights groups fill their mind. And by doing

this, we can ensure the safety of thousands of students and the millions of animals

raised for show.

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References

B., N., H., A., & M., J. (2011, November 28). Perceptions of Ethical Practices in

Youth Livestock Shows. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from

Gauld, W. (n.d.). Fitting and Showing Beef Cattle. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

Goodwin, J. L., Murphy, T. H., & Briers, G. (2002, December). Measuring the

Ethical Cognition Effects of a Videotape Livestock Show Ethics

Education Program. Retrieved February 19, 2018

Hinton, J. (2012, January 09). A Brief History of the Stock Show. Retrieved

February 19, 2018

Murphy, T. E., Norwood, J. S., & Dubes, R. (1992). Unethical Fitting and

Showing Practices in Junior Livestock Shows. Retrieved February 19,

2018.

Raising Livestock for Showing. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2018, from