TOPPENISH, Wash. – The 75th annual Central Washington Junior Livestock Show is kicking off at the Toppenish Rodeo Grounds this weekend. The event gives hundreds of kids the chance to showcase their livestock in a unique experience.
Nearly 200 kids across two divisions are expected to bring more than 300 livestock to present to judges. The four-day event involves weighing and tagging sheep, cows, and pigs. Gary Gasseling, a 40-year volunteer and vice president of the board, shared insights into the event’s preparations.
“The exhibitor takes our animal out to our show ring and shows it to the judge,” Gasseling said. “And what that means for Judge on Classification Day is looking for their market value on fitting and showing day, which is Tuesday. He wants to see how well you handle that animal, how well you work together as a team.”
Gasseling has a long history with the show, not only as a volunteer but also as an exhibitor from 1974 to 1977. He reflected on his experience during those years.
“It was different because I was handling livestock versus my farming practices,” he stated. “I grew up on a farm, not a livestock operation. So my instructor at the time wanted me to raise two pigs to bring and show down here.”
Gasseling emphasized the importance of the event for the participants, noting that it teaches valuable lessons and skills.
“It’s an opportunity for the valley youth to experience something different because the teachers are teaching them math,” he said. “Now they can apply it to these animals. They know how much money they’re bringing in, what their costs are. There is an educational value here. There is reward here, and it is a very positive experience for the youth.”
The Junior Livestock Show provides a platform for kids to learn the value of a dollar and gain hands-on experience in managing livestock, offering an educational and rewarding experience.
