LACOMBE, Alta. – Lance and Cody Olson are a team.
They qualified to judge as a team during a recent heifer show in Lacombe, Alta., which was part of the Canadian National Junior All-Breeds show held Aug. 16-18.
The brothers belong to the same 4-H club. They publicly praise each other and they even finish each other’s sentences.
As they calmly sit on their heifers and chat, other kids hurry through the barn searching for brushes or leading their animals out for the next class.
Read Also
Growth plates are instrumental in shaping a horse’s life
Young horse training plans and workloads must match their skeletal development. Failing to plan around growth plates can create lifelong physical problems.
“I like the team judging, it’s fun,” said Lance.
“He’s good at it,” said Cody.
“I think we’re both fairly good at it,” said Lance.
Growing up in Calgary, the brothers weren’t introduced to livestock until they moved to a farm on the outskirts of the city five years ago. Cody, 14, joined the 4-H beef club and Lance, 13, joined the following year.
“I joined because he was in it. I like doing stuff together,” said Lance. He admits he’s not a natural with animals. He prefers livestock that are quiet.
“When I don’t have a really quiet animal, I get frustrated.”
Cody knows his future is in agriculture. During school days he’s up before 6 a.m. to help his mother feed more than 30 horses at their boarding facility.
“I’m a morning person. I like to get up and go,” said Cody.
“I hate mornings. They drive me insane,” said Lance.
Cody knows what he’s learning through 4-H and the cattle shows will help guide his decisions through life. The lessons learned through judging cattle will help him select a new truck or look at other livestock.
“I’m ashamed to say it, but I’m a pretty good pig judge and I don’t like pigs,” said Cody.
“I like the sense of pride you get when you sell a calf from a cow you raised.”
While Cody sees his future in agriculture, Lance knows his future lies in other directions.
“I’m not planning to stay around agriculture for much longer. I’m going to get a better career than in agriculture. I like it, but it’s not my thing constantly.”
Until then, the pair plans to follow the summer show circuit, judge some more and spend time together.
