As a former 4-H’er, FFA member and livestock exhibitor, I was very disappointed to see the Iowa State Fair championship livestock show receiving front-page attention for suspicions of cheating. I thought about others outside of the state, who would see this flaw marring our great state’s reputation, and my pride in the state of Iowa sort of flew out the window. However, this event was not the result of the state of Iowa or even the entire show industry, but more than likely due to the actions of a few.

What has happened to the livestock show industry? I grew up believing that hard work and perseverance would reward you completely. And apparently now this is not enough. Instead the only importance connected to showing is winning. It seems that people in the livestock show industry no longer just take joy in working with animals and competing. An era of ruthless, backhanded and pointless dishonesty has placed itself over the reputation of the livestock show industry.

Not all people who show livestock are out to win unscrupulously. Many truly just enjoy working with livestock and a little competition.

Some of the big shows are beginning to place caps on the amount of money that a champion animal can bring at auction after the exhibition. This is due to the massive amounts of money that some shows offer to the winner. Sale caps are a good way to prevent people from attending the sale and running the money up so that the animal seems worth more than it really is. Generally when an animal is shown in a youth show and sold, a percentage of that sale is put toward scholarships, which is a wonderful way to raise money for others. Livestock shows are not always just about winning; some people still feel the need to help others.

As a kid in my own county I encountered many situations of dishonesty in the show ring. As a young 4-H’er I watched as another exhibitor shoved a hose down a steer’s throat to force it to drink. Instead of filling out the steer’s body, the water went to the lungs and the steer died.

While many of the dishonest members were my own age, usually it was their parents who had the insatiable urge to win at any cost. How sad to grow up learning that if you want something you can get it only by deceit. Why do these parents seem bent on living their dreams through the lives of their children?

The 4-H and FFA organizations are meant to be utilized by kids ages nine to 21. They are meant to teach members about livestock. Teaching does not include injections, hoses, tag tampering, lying about the age, or any other type of dishonest activity. How can those who blatantly cheat believe that they are actually winning? Deep down everyone knows who the real winner is without the cheater in the ring. Where is the pride in raising good livestock with honest principles and sheer effort?

A show-person has to walk to the fine line between good honest sportsmanship and cheating. Grooming, good feeding programs and proper care are important aspects of livestock showmanship. Showmanship does not include illegal exploitation of the animal. It seems that those who feel the need to act dishonestly are really just insecure about their livestock. Or maybe it isn’t really the livestock, really just the large sums of money that can be won. Either way it is sad and disgusting that people feel that they must use their children and lie to others and themselves in order to prove they’ve got the best stock.

When it comes down to it, is winning the only thing that matters above everything else? Do those who choose to cheat realize that there is more to life than winning without principles? Sadly, doubt is beginning to surround the show industry – doubt in the people involved and the abilities of those running the shows. Without honesty and integrity the show industry is doomed.

Danelle Zellmer

is a junior in public service and administration in agriculture from Atlantic.