by HAYLIE STEPHENS
After celebrating the 5th annual Central Florida Youth In Agriculture Show and Sale, there are many events to reminisce on. This weeklong event held cattle shows, swine shows, showmanship, ag mechanics contests, livestock judging contests, and a record-breaking sale.
On Saturday, March 29, Cason Herman, a fifth-grader, and Ansley Bryant, a ninth-grader from Polk County broke the highest sale price record in both the market hog and market steer sales. Cason broke the record by selling his Grand Champion Market Hog for $10,000 dollars. Ansley broke the record by selling her Market Steer for $26,000 dollars. I had the opportunity to interview and ask Cason and Ansley some questions about their projects and what it took to get them where they are today.
I started Cason’s interview by asking him to give me insight about his show career and his project. Cason said, “I am 12 years old, and this is my fifth year showing pigs. My pig’s name is Kesha and her favorite thing to do is roll around in the dirt. She’s definitely been one of my favorite pigs I’ve ever shown.”
Next, I asked him what it took to get this big win. He said, “It took a lot of hard work, and I spent many hours in the barn with her cleaning her pen, washing and walking her.”
My final question to Cason was who would you like to thank for helping you get here? He said, “I would like to thank my sister for helping me so much and my mom and dad for always supporting me and letting me do this at the level I do it.”
Cason Herman’s Record Breaking and Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2025 Central Florida Youth In Agriculture Show and Sale.
I started Ansley’s interview by asking her to give me insight about her show career and her project. Ansley said, “I am 14 years old and have been showing cattle for seven years now. My steer was bred and owned, so I’ve raised him since day one.”
Next, I asked her what it took to get this big win. She explained, “It took a lot of long hours in the barn–breaking him, feeding him, exercising, rinsing, and doing daily hair care on him to ensure he was given the best care.”
Finally, I asked Ansley who she would like to thank. She replied, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support system behind me, my mom and dad giving me the opportunity to show and being there for me every step of the way. Also, Mr. Dewey for his support and purchasing my steer.”
Ansley Bryant’s Record-Breaking Market Steer and the buyer of her steer.
These two Central Florida Youth In Agriculture exhibitors are excellent examples of hard work and determination. Congratulations to all the exhibitors on their hard work and success this year. We look forward to next year!