Meet A Fluffy Cow Owner: Ashtyn Danker | Avoca, Iowa USA
By Amanda Radke
Contributing Editor, Agriculture Speaker
BEEF Magazine, Tri-State Livestock News, Farmers’ Advance
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Meet The People Behind The Fluffy Cows Part 1: The Show Person
In this series, we will explore the people who are involved in raising, caring for, and showing the fluffy cows we love. The first part of the segment introduces us to the show person, who is the individual who leads the fluffy cow (usually a heifer or a steer) into the show ring with a halter and a show stick (used to set the feet into position). The show person is in charge of caring for the animal at home and showing it off to the judge in the show ring.
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Today, we meet 14-year old show person, Ashtyn Danker from Avoca, IA. Here is a Q&A session with Danker, explaining why she is so passionate about her fluffy cows.
Q: Tell me about the fluffy cows you are showing this year?
A: I’ve been traveling every weekend to cattle shows for the last month and a half. I’m showing a commercial heifer named Sadie and a Maine Anjou steer named Reggie. Reggie has been in the top five at a couple of the shows, and Saydee just won her sixth show today.
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Editor’s note: “Commercial” refers to a calf that has a sire (dad) and dam (mom) that consists of different “breeds.” It would be similar to a “mutt” in a dog, but usually it combines the best of each breed (not to be mistaken for genetically-modified. It’s completely natural!) Ashtyn’s steer, Reggis, is a “Maine Anjou,” which is one of those breeds of cattle. Each breed (Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, etc.) has different traits, much like different breeds of dogs have different traits — labradors make good hunting dogs or huskies make good Iditarod trail sled dogs, for example. One breed of cattle might have more maternal traits — like good milking ability — and another might have more muscling — to make those tasty steaks we enjoy!
Q: Why do you like showing cattle?
A: It’s definitely a fun hobby of mine. I’m also involved in basketball and track, but when I’m not busy at school or in sports, I spend most of my time in the barn working on Saydee and Reggie. I work hard on the calves to grow and train their hair, and it’s fun going to shows and winning, too.
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Q: How did you get started showing calves?
A: I started with a bottle calf that I showed in 4-H at the county fair when I was in the fourth grade. As the years have gone on, we started going to open shows. Each year, we learn a little bit more about the good characteristic in calves, and we go out and look for a good one to show each year. My family and I travel to shows, and I’ve learned showmanship, herdsmanship and how to fit and present my calves to the best of my ability. It’s a lot of fun.
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Q: What have you learned from showing cattle?
A: I have met a lot of people by going to shows. Shows give me a chance to network with other people. At home, I’ve learned responsibility. Calves have to be your top priority. They need to be fed and washed twice each day. I work on these animals all year and work hard to train the hair and get them ready for the shows.
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Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I would like to get into a good college and maybe study to be a veterinarian or a livestock chiropractor. I know that I definitely want to stay involved in the cattle industry and keep active in cattle shows.
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Editor’s note: There are many careers in the beef industry that offer employment opportunities for young people — rancher, feedlot manager, herdsman, retailer, butcher, clipper and fitter, salesman (feed, fertilizer, seed, semen, show supplies, trailers, pickups, etc.), graphic designer/advertising (catalogs and advertisements for calf sales, for example), hoof trimmer (it’s like a manicure for cows) or yes, even a livestock chiropractor (those fluffy cows are sure spoiled!).
Do you have questions about the show person? Leave your questions in the comments section below.
