By Marlee Jackson

Intense concentration shadowed Abby Longcrier’s face when she stepped into the Alabama National Fair show ring Oct. 4.

She guided a Lim-Flex heifer around the arena while keeping her eyes on the judge — a worthy achievement for a 15-year-old from Autauga County whose first show was just months earlier.

“A lot of people grow up showing cattle,” said Abby, a sophomore at Billingsley School. “I didn’t know anything about it until this year.”

Abby was among hundreds of youth showmen who competed in contests sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance during the fair in Montgomery Oct. 3-12. In addition to beef cattle, students showed dairy cattle, goats, sheep and swine.

Many are veteran showmen who began working with livestock at an early age. Then, there are promising newbies like Abby.

Abby’s introduction to the show world came thanks to her agriscience teacher, Logan Strock. Strock called Abby earlier this year with startling news: He’d procured a heifer expressly for Abby to show.

“My job as an ag teacher is to push students to reach their potential,” Strock said. “If you asked them, they’d say, ‘no.’”

Abby agreed and set to work.

She routinely visited the Strocks’ farm after school learning to wash, brush and care for the heifer. She put those skills to the test during her first show at the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Round-Up in July. 

“I went into the Round-Up, which is several days long, not nervous at all,” Abby remembered. “The day of competition, I was so nervous going into the ring.”

She boldly overcame those nerves, watched other showmen work the arena and made a few friends. Abby even interviewed some youth and cattle industry leaders for her podcast, Everything Everywhere Ag.

“These are friends I will keep for the rest of my life,” she said.

She’s brought her family into the livestock world, too. Abby’s mom, Brittney, said they’re contemplating purchasing a steer for Abby’s next project.

“I’m supportive for her to do anything to broaden her horizons or teach her about agriculture,” Brittney said. “She’s learning how to get her hands dirty. It’s brand new to us, but she’s roping us in.”

Abby will show again in March during the Jr. Livestock Expo in Montgomery. She’ll also return to the Alabama National Fair in 2026, this time with a bred heifer in tow. 

That’s part of Strock’s goal to teach Abby, and other students, the reality of farming. 

“We’re going to learn about bull selection and reproductive artificial insemination,” he said. “This is not just about showing but getting a heifer ready to transition to the next part of her life.”

Abby is further refining her show skills as a member of Billingsley’s livestock judging team, a commitment that’s making her a better showman through impromptu speaking and critical thinking. 

She’s also learning to balance emotional attachment to her heifer with the animals’ end goal in mind.

That’s important, Strock said.

“There’s an introduction to the industry behind this,” Strock said. “You don’t go to the grocery store to get a steak. It takes a farmer to produce that meat that’s on their plate.”