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It’s Not
All About Cows
Asked if
he has time for other activities, Elrod answered yes. "You can do
other things and show cows," Elrod said. "People tend to think
you can’t do other things, but you can."
Besides
being active in national steer and heifer shows, Elrod has been involved
in many high school clubs and activities including Future Farmers of
America, Key Club, Student Government Association, Journalism staff,
BETA club, Math team and Young Farmers Federation. He is also a member
of the FFA judging team and is in the Top 10 in his class academically.
Elrod
said it is even possible to show animals and play sports. He pointed to
his sister as an example. "It was my decision not to play sports in
high school," noted Elrod. "But it can be done—Kylie does
it. You’ve got to be willing to work."
Besides
school activities, Elrod occasionally likes to deer hunt. The only
problem is that deer season usually coincides with show season.
Elrod
said that instead of curbing his extracurricular activities,
participating in cow shows has afforded him to do more things. "The
money I’ve won from cow shows has allowed me to have extra
hobbies," said Elrod. "I have money to do the things I want to
do."
Future
Plans
After
graduation, Elrod plans to attend Wallace State Community College in
Hanceville, where he has earned a two-year scholarship. Afterward, he
plans to attend Auburn University and enroll in Pharmacy school.
Elrod’s
immediate plans include a run for a seat on the board of directors of
the National Junior Chi Association. If his bid for the spot is
successful, Elrod will spend time promoting the Chianina breed and he
will work shows in Louisville and Denver.
He wants
to make a difference in lives of younger competitors. "The older
competitors must work to motivate the younger ones," stated Elrod.
"We have to keep the interest going in the breed."
Elrod
explained that there is more to be learned from competing than how to
win. "You have to be willing to work, to take care of your
animals," he said. "If you’re going to do it—do it
right."
What Makes
a Winner
Elrod
said establishing a good feeding program is vital to success in the show
circuit.
Some
competitors are neither willing nor able to fully care for their
animals, and it shows, said Elrod. "Anyone can win if they put
forth the effort," he said.
Asked if
show competitors had to live on a farm, Elrod said that it wasn’t
necessary but it did help. "Not everyone can live on a place with a
barn and pastures," he said. "Many kids have grandparents,
uncles or other relatives who have places big enough to keep a couple of
cows."
Elrod
stressed that what mattered most was the time spent in caring for the
animals and preparing for the shows.
"Cullman
County was well represented at the state show," said Cullman County
Co-op manager Chad Federer. "There were five winners at the state
show who use Co-op feeds." Federer is proud to have Elrod and his
family as customers for feed, fertilizer, chemicals and farm supplies.
Elrod uses 13% cattle pellets with Bovatec, Performance Beef Ration and
Fitter’s Choice concentrate along with other ingredients to produce
these winners.
Prior to
this year, Elrod’s family had a small barn with no room to groom the
animals. Thanks, in part, to his success at showing heifers and steers,
the family now has a new barn with an enclosed wash room where the
animals can be easily groomed.
Elrod’s
parents are Tony and Kelly Elrod.
Susie Sims is a freelance
writer from Haleyville.
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