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Best in Show
Brandon earns livestock ribbons, learns life skills
Brandon says he works with his show cattle daily to help calm and train them for upcoming livestock shows.
May 2008
If livestock judging is your thing, here’s a little warning: Facing off against a team with Brandon Reeves is not going to be pleasant.
Not that Brandon’s a bad guy. In fact, he’s amazing. He’s also really friendly. At Buffalo Gap High School in Swoope, Va., where Brandon is a senior and the president of his FFA chapter, all the students think he’s great.
“He gets along with everybody,” says Shirley Kaufman, his advisor. “I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like him.”
So what’s the deal? Why is he to be feared? Well, let’s put it this way. Should you meet Brandon at a competition, your chances of winning – no matter how good you are – drop like a load of cow manure. He’s that good. And he’s not there to take second.
Strong Roots
Brandon, of course, would laugh at all this. He’s about as modest as they come. He does admit to a competitive streak, but he’s really just in it for fun.
“He’s a great leader and an awesome team player,” says Kaufman, who has known Brandon since he was 9 years old, when she coached him in 4-H.
When his FFA team from Buffalo Gap won the 2005 National FFA Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) in Louisville, Ky., Kaufman says that Brandon really stepped up to the plate. But then, just as quickly, he stepped down.
“He was high individual, but he made sure it wasn’t about him,” she says. “And that’s always the way it is with Brandon. The team is always first.”
Raised on a 1,500-head cattle farm in nearby Mount Solon, Va., Brandon and his sister, Laura Kate, took to the livestock trade early, starting their own show cattle business – which Brandon eventually used for his supervised agricultural experience program (SAE) – in 2002.
“We bought 15 heifers from my dad and grandpa,” he says, “then bred them and raised their calves.”
The learning curve for the siblings was steep.
“We started out not knowing a whole lot about the show cattle business,” he says. “But as we’ve gone along we’ve gotten more experience and produced better cattle, and we’ve kind of developed our own little market.”
Brandon and Laura Kate sell many of their heifers and some steers to locals in the 4-H program. Others are shipped out of state.
He and his sister work well together, Brandon says, and it’s a good thing. There’s too much to do for just one person.
“It’s a big responsibility,” he explains. “You have to feed your animals twice a day, and you have to make sure they don’t get sick. Sometimes you have to bottle-feed the calves. You halter break them in July and August and spend a lot of time with them there. You’re really with them every step of the way.”
“It’s great to share everything – the whole experience – with my sister,” he adds. “It’s also really handy because when I’m not around, it’s nice to know that she’ll get everything done.”
Brandon thinks his livestock judging experience has helped him make good decisions for his business – especially when it comes to breeding stock.
“By going around and judging, you can see what works and what doesn’t,” Brandon says. “I’ve really learned to appreciate quality.”
All Hard Work
Needless to say, the work has paid off. In the last several years, as the business has thrived, Brandon has won a lengthy list of awards and accolades. He’s taken state honors in Virginia’s FFA agricultural sales and agricultural business management CDEs.
In 2007, he was named the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Outstanding Young Agriculturalist and, as part of his 4-H team, won the National 4-H Livestock Judging Competition. Winning big at livestock judging events has twice qualified Brandon to compete internationally. He went to Scotland after the 2005 FFA nationals, and is going back in 2008 thanks to 4-H.
Brandon is also an excellent student, Kaufman says, noting his membership in the National Honor Society.
“He’s a good test-taker, enrolled in AP classes and highly recruited by colleges,” she says. “He does well in almost everything he does. And he’s a great role model.”
Kaufman says other students can learn much from Brandon and the way he’s handled himself over the years, from his days as a novice in 4-H to his amazing senior year.
“Brandon has shown there are lots of opportunities out there,” Kaufman says. “He’s demonstrated you can be successful at anything you put your mind to. It’s never been a cakewalk for him. Everything he’s done, he’s worked hard for.”
Brandon wouldn’t argue with that, but he’s quick to point out that he’s also been pretty lucky.
“I’ve been surrounded with really good people,” he explains.
“My coaches, my parents and grandparents have all helped me to get to where I’m at now. They’ve spent a lot of time with both my sister and me explaining what good cattle look like. They’ve really given me a good start and pushed me in the right direction. I’ve worked hard, but I couldn’t have done it without them.”
So what’s next? At this point, Brandon says, he’s not sure. He does know it will involve school – he’s traveled to several colleges and universities with his father – and that it will also involve cattle.
“I can’t say exactly where my career is going,” Brandon says. “I do know that whether it’s full time or part time, I’ll always keep cows and raise show cattle. It’s just something I love to do.”
Story by Chris HayhurstPhotography by Ian Curcio
Web Extra
Livestock SAE ResourcesWant to start your own livestock supervised agricultural experience program? Getting started is often the most difficult part. Consider these resources when making your decision.
Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock
Careers in the livestock industry
National Pork Producers Council
American Sheep Industry Association
National Cattlemen’s Association
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