Brianna and Buds November update:
This month Bud has really started to settle in and trust me more. He still has his moments where he gets spooked, but he recovers much faster than he did before. I’ve been focusing on slowing him down during our walks and helping him stay focused instead of trying to take off and explore everything at once. His appetite has been great and he has been eating 10.5 pounds a feeding. With the colder weather, he’s been a bit more playful and full of energy, which has made our training sessions both fun and a little chaotic. He’s become obsessed with his hanging ball and spends a lot of time nudging it around. He also loves when I take my knuckle and rub it on his head. Bud’s personality keeps shining through, he’s curious, goofy, and loves attention. I’ve noticed he’s taken more of a liking to one of my friends but regardless he’s been growing into an amazing steer. I’m happy with the progress he’s making and am looking forward to seeing how much he grows in the next month.
Sam and Zack’s November Update:
This month, I worked with Zach on walking into being set up, he has improved a lot! He likes to go run around and jump, he has such a loving personality. He has been eating 9lbs per feeding, he loves his hay and treats. Zach has gotten so fluffy! He is starting to loose some of his hair so it’s time to start growing more hair. I have also been trying to desensitize him, by walking a tarp, jumping, waving my arms, and playing music around him. He’s gotten used to my crazy behavior. Zach has been so great to work with, I’m excited for the many more months to come!
Samantha Merriman
Ashlynn and Missy’s November update:
This past month was a hard month working with the wet weather but the cool temperature definitely helped Missy’s hair grow. She’s eating really good and gaining weight. I’ve been working with her a lot on keeping her head up. She has lots of energy and loves to play.
Wyatt and Alvin’s November update:
This month I went to the Harvest Moon show in Bakersfield. I didn’t get placed in Showmanship, but I got good practice in the ring at our first show. I got 2nd in my market class. We learned that Alvin really doesn’t like getting his head clipped. I still had a lot of fun at the show and we’re getting better together every day. I’m planning to go to another show in December and get more practice in the ring. I will also keep working at home to get better at showmanship and keeping Alvin looking great.
Note: I added Alvin’s picture from when he first got him so you could see how much he has changed
Brianna and Buds October update:
This month I have been working on walking and desensitizing Bud. He gets spooked very easily but it’s something that I am slowly working on with him. He loves eating and belly scratches. I have been trying to get him used to walking around the farm however, it has been rough because he loves to make a run for it but he is getting better at walking everyday. He is currently eating 18 pounds of grain and I am loving the way he’s growing. My favorite part about him is his back definition and his hair. Bud gets bored very easily and resorts to messing with his hay, playing with his water, and moving his buckets around so I am going to get him a hanging ball and see if he likes that. He has a great personality and is very playful. I’m excited to continue working with him and watch him grow up
Ashlynn and Missy’s October update
This month I’ve been focusing on getting Missy to walk good and get her head up. She has quite the personality and is sassy. I’ve been bathing her and working on her hair too. She is gaining a really good amount of weight daily. I also finally got to take her home! I’m really excited to work with her more and start showing.
– Ashlynn Clark
Wyatt October Update
This month I’ve been washing and working my steer. I’ve been halter breaking my steer and he still jumps, but he’s been getting better and I work with him almost everyday. I’m getting him ready for a show in Bakersfield. I’ve washed him almost every week and he’s getting comfortable being in the stanchion. He’s been getting better everyday and I’ve been having a lot of fun with him.
Sam and Zack’s October update:
This month Zach and I continued to practice showmanship skills and working hair! Zach has gotten very fluffy. I love spending my time with him, he is so sweet! Zach likes to play a lot, I let him run around for a bit in our yard before I work him. I’m not sure when our first show will be but hopefully soon!
Samantha Merriman
Sam and Zack’s September Update:
This month I’ve been working on hair, and desensitizing Zach! Zach is just like a dog, he loves running around and playing, he also knows his name. After a few washes, Zach’s hair turns out to be pretty fluffy. I’ve been shaving his head to help keep him cooler. He’s not scared of a lot of things, I can jump around him, waving my show stick and he doesn’t react. But he doesn’t like blower. Zach has been eating and drinking great! He has grown a lot this past month. He is such a great steer with a great personality, and I’m so excited for the future with him! This is going to be a fun year!
Samantha Merriman
Kiara’s Closing Remarks
With the conclusion of my 4-H career as a junior market exhibitor at the county level, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and experiences that I have had as a result of being involved with the Curren’s Cows Foundation. I cannot express how thankful I am to the Curren’s Cow Foundation for giving me the numerous opportunities over the years and especially for my last year the opportunity to exhibit an amazing steer. This year, Patrick Star and I received 4-H Champion Market Steer and second in Senior showmanship at the San Diego County Fair. This led us to the Champion Drive, where he was announced as the Supreme Grand Champion Market Steer of the entire show.
Other highlights of this year included attending an amazing clinic that was put on by Elite Livestock Camp in Imperial County. In previous years, I had the opportunity to attend other workshops and camps throughout California. This clinic was slightly different in that they also hosted a Fitting Contest where my team received Champion Fitting Team and I also won Champion Senior Showman in their showmanship contest.
A few weeks following the clinic I attended the Imperial Valley Jackpot. It was a definite highlight of my years of involvement as for the very first time I received Reserve Champion Prospect Steer. I was very thankful that Pat and Lisa Baker had been able to make it down to watch me and the other Curren’s Cow participants exhibit.
Out next opportunity to shine was at the Ramona Spring Fling where I received 3rd overall Market Steer, 2nd Black Steer, and 3rd in Senior Showmanship.
I really want to extend my gratitude to the Foundation and especially Pat and Lisa Baker for giving me this opportunity to experience learning new things and teaching me everything I know over the past few years. I look forward to being able to give back to others through my continued involvement with assisting other participants with their breeding projects, getting their animals bred, and possibly being able to provide animals and support to other youth just getting started. Getting to participate in this program has been one of my greatest highlights of my 4-H career.
Picture below are many of the opportunities I’ve had over the years through Curren’s Cows Foundation.
-Kiara Konyn
Sam and Snoopy’s end of the year round-up
I have learned so much this year and I am so thankful for the Curren’s Cows Foundation for giving me the opportunity to grow in all aspects of showing cattle. My knowledge of cattle has grown significantly since last year! I can now clip, fit, and work with cattle on my own. Snoopy was a lot to handle but I’m glad I was able to raise him because now I can do so much more with cattle and I know how to work with the more “sensitive” calves. Although it was hard in the beginning with Snoopy I ended up having so much fun with him at every show we went to! I’ve gained a lot of patience and determination this year with this project and I can’t wait to apply for the scholarship again!
Sam and Snoopy day 1 and then the fair,
Wyatt and Bullet
Between May and June I worked to get Bullet ready for the San Diego County Fair. I worked with him almost every day and washed him once a week. In my market class I got second place and got second with him for showmanship as well. I then sold Bullet at auction. It was pretty hard for me to let go of Bullet because he was such a good boy and I miss being able to hang out and lay on him for a little nap at shows. It was a lot of fun and even more work having Bullet for the past 9 months but I really liked it and want to keep doing cattle. I know I can get better and I just really love them.
Fair Update 2025:
Colby and Cinnamon
For the past couple of months I have worked and washed Cinnamon a lot and worked very hard to get her ready for the San Diego County Fair. I had a lot of fun at the County Fair and won showmanship with her and got second place in my class for breeding. We have one more show together, so we will be at the Ramona Junior Fair at the end of July. I hope she does well and my big goal is to win showmanship with her. It has all in all been a very fun year with her and I learned a lot and I know I gained her trust because I was the only boy that she would listen to at all. She of course makes me want to keep doing cattle and I’m already planning to attend more clinics and stuff to learn more about showing and raising cattle.
San Diego County Fair
As the fair draws near the end, the kids from Curren’s Cows had an excellent fair, Colby ended up be reserve grand champion with his goat m, he did a great job getting Cinnamon to reach her potential, Wyatt and Bullet became a great team, Bullet was not going to win grand champion but he is going to produce an excellent product m, Bullet was a perfect First steer for a young person and they made quite a team. Sam and Snoopy had a good year, Sam did everything thing she could to to get Snoopy where he needed to be at fair time. To no fault of her own Snoopy had structure issues that we just could not get around. He looked great won his class and reached all of his potential, Sam should be proud of everything she did this year. Kiara and Patrick Star had a very good year as well, they ended up as the Grand Champion. Kiara did everything she could to get Patrick to reach his potential, she put in the time and work and everything came together. We don’t do this for champions, we do it to give kids a n opportunity to take an animal and work hard to get it to reach it’s potential, learn to be hard working give it your all to get everything out of it. That is what everyone of the kids did, one of them getting Champion is just icing on the cake. I could not prouder of the kids and what they did with their projects. Thank, Kiara, Samantha, Colby and Wyatt, it been fun to watch and be a part of. Good luck in Showmanship today.
Quick end of March update:
All the kids showed this weekend at the Ramona Spring Fling livestock show, all the kids did well and are all doing a great job. I’ll share a few photos from the show and save the details for their monthly updates!
Kiara and Patrick Star January February update:
Following the Elite Livestock Show Camp in Imperial County, I went back down at the end of January for the IV Classic Jackpot. On day 1 Patrick Star placed first in his class and Reserve Champion Prospect. It was an amazing experience getting to compete and it was the first time that I receive an award in Champion Drive at a jackpot. I also made it to final drive for senior showmanship. On day 2 Patrick Star again placed first in his class. Overall, the IV Classic was a great success, and I had an amazing time catching up with people and showing. Also, I was really proud of the fact that I built courage to fit Patrick for the jackpot on both days.
For the month of February, I mostly stayed home working, washing, and practicing showmanship with Patrick. Patrick weighs 1120 lbs. and I have started transitioning him to Purina Honor Show Chow Finishing Touch. Patrick has been a great boy to work with, besides the fact that he is sometimes slow. Next weekend we will be headed up to Valley Center to get his feet trim and at the end of March, I will be competing with Patrick Star at the SoCal Spring Fling Livestock Show.
Samantha and Snoopy’s January Update:
During the beginning of this month, I found big rain rot spots on Snoopy’s top line, sides and rear. It took me a couple weeks to get all of the rain rot out so now I’m recovering all of the hair he has lost. And the process has been hard but it is working and he is gaining hair quickly. I went to the Classical Jackpot in El Centro with Snoopy. This was his first show, he was very nervous but we worked through it and got him looking good! Snoopy ate and drank good the time we were at the show. Snoopy won his market class but didn’t place in drive which is okay because he still needs time to grow. We didn’t place in showmanship but I’m fine with that since he didn’t behave during the show. I know what I need to work on, like making Snoopy less scared and keeping him from not constantly getting spooked. At home, after the show, I started touching Snoopy everywhere with a broom so that he stops kicking me, gets used to people touching him, and so I can fit him without being scared of getting kicked. In this past week, Ive noticed a lot of improvement! I can now safely touch him without him spooking and kicking. I’m excited for our next show which will be Western Bonanza in a couple of weeks! I’m looking forward to see how he does.
Wyatt and Bullet’s January Update:
In January I went to Elite Livestock clinic where I did showmanship practice, showmanship contest, and a fitting contest. My team and I won the fitting contest and I got the most improved award for cattle. I also went to the Imperial Valley Classic show and got a callback in both of my showmanship classes. At the show I got 5th overall in showmanship and 5th in my prospect class on the 1st day. On the second day I got 4th for showmanship overall and 5th again in prospect. I keep trying to work with Bullet by walking him.
Colby and Cinnamon’s January Update:
In January I went to the Elite Livestock Show Clinic with Cinnamon. We learned more about fitting and showing and I placed Reserve Showman and won the fitting contest with my brother Wyatt and Kiara. I kept working her hair and practicing and took her to the IV Classic Jackpot show and won Reserve Intermediate Showman on Day 1. We placed 2nd and 3rd in our classes. Lately I have been helping my dad build a new permanent cattle cover. I still work with Cinnamon and she has started even walking into position.
Colby and Cinnamon November-December Update:
In November I continued working with Cinnamon to get her better at walking on a lead. I learned that I have to take her away from where she can see her pen in the yard to make her walk and train a lot better.I went to the Harvest Moon livestock show in Bakersfield and did okay both in showmanship and breed. I also started helping one of my fellow Lakeside Middle School FFA members learn how to show cattle because they wanted to try and go to a FFA only show with me. I have also been using multiple methods to try and work her skin and hair and it has been getting a lot longer and a lot thicker than it was.
In December I was working with her to get her ready for the Holiday Classic show in Bakersfield and she did better than last time I went to a show. I also worked with Cinnamon as I kept helping my FFA friend learn cattle showmanship for a FFA show on December 20th. The FFA only show was just showmanship, and I did ok in it, but Cinnamon had a slip the morning of the show and it did impact things. I then kept washing as much as I could, so she had good skin and was nice and fluffy for Arizona Nationals. I went to Arizona Nationals which was my first national show ever and Cinnamon did okay for her class as she had to be assigned to a progress market class. Overall, it was still a really fun and good experience for me, more so because I got to celebrate my 13th birthday while we were there.
Wyatt and Bullet November-December Update
In November I worked with Bullet to be ready for his first show. I worked with washing him to get better hair and control. He has gotten better over the past two months, and it has gotten a little easier to control him and set him up for the most part. I feel like I am getting more comfortable with him overall. We did ok at our first show, the Harvest Moon in Bakersfield. I was last and then 4th overall for showmanship but learned more about working with him so it was a good experience.
In December I got ready for Holiday Classic show in Bakersfield. I was helped by extra lessons with my brother Colby because I had his Lakeside Middle School FFA friend come help work with Bullet too because she wanted to learn and have a chance to show cattle with Bullet. I kept working Bullet really hard and I did well in showmanship at the Holiday Classic. I was also working Bullet for Arizona National, my first ever National show. We were there for 5 days and I didn’t get placed in showmanship and we don’t know what happened but was over the weight limit and got scratched in the market class, so I didn’t get to show. I am looking forward to next year as I know there are clinics and shows coming soon. I just really love Bullet.
Kiara, Cash and Patrick Star November-December update:
The month of November was spent preparing Cash and Patrick Star for the Arizona Nationals. Thank you to Marcus for coming down to clip Patrick Star and Cash prior to heading for Phoenix. It was a long drive to Arizona Nationals and then a long night of waiting to get checked into the fairgrounds. Hundreds of trailers waiting in lines for almost 12 hours. We weighed in and Cash had lost a bit of weight from the long trip but came back up to weigh in at 1298 pounds on the day we showed. Patrick Star weighed in at 941 pounds.
I chose to exhibit Cash in showmanship as I felt it would be good to get him out in the ring to try to mellow him out before the market show as he was a bit nervous the day we arrived. However, in doing so, I did not make it to the final heat, but it was an amazing learning experience.
Something that I had never had to do before was have the steer classified for breed/division. A committee of six cattlemen walk around your steer and determine if you entered your animal in the correct class. This was by far the biggest show that I had ever exhibited at and people from all over the United States were exhibiting. Cash placed second in his class in the British Market Steer division and advanced onto the champion class for the British Division. Patrick star was ninth in the Prospect Steer division.
This past weekend I attended the Elite Livestock Camp in Imperial County with Patrick Star. I learned many unique and personalized tips and tricks for both showmanship, nutrition, hair care, fitting, and more. On the first day of the camp, we took many notes, had showmanship practices, and a fitting demonstration. Next, we got in teams of 2-3 and competed in a fitting contest. On day 2, we learned more about what we will need for show day, had more showmanship practices and after lunch we competed in a showmanship showdown. To conclude the camp was our awards ceremony. I received Champion Senior Showman and Wyatt, Colby, and I received Champion Fitting Team. Overall, the camp was an amazing experience and I learned so much.
Thank you again to Currens Cows and Pat Baker for giving me the opportunity to exhibit at Arizona Nationals. I had an amazing time working with Cash. Also, I cannot wait to see where the road will take Patrick Star and I next.
Kiara Cash and Patrick Star October Update:
Fall has turned into a busy season with my projects. For the months of September and October, Cash and I have been working extremely hard. He has a lot of hair that needs to be managed all the time, mostly due to his color and the fact that he always chooses to lie down in the muddiest spots. He is still eating Purina Honors Show Finishing Touch, TMR, and free choice oat hay. Cash weighs approximately 1260 lbs. He loves going on walks; however, is not the biggest fan of other people. We are almost one month out from our big show at the end of December and are extremely excited. We will be attending the Arizona Nationals.
On October 21st, Squidward and Cash got a new roommate, Patrick Star, to go along with my SpongeBob theme this year. Patrick Star is not the best at walking yet; however, he is extremely easy to catch and work with. He weighs 850 lbs. and is eating Purina Honors Show Fitter’s Edge and free choice oat hay. Right now, he is in a pen with Squidward, which works perfectly as they are very comparable in size and structure. I am also planning to take him to Arizona Nationals and then hopefully to a livestock camp in Imperial the following week. I cannot wait to see what this show season has in for all of us and again very thankful for the amazing opportunity.
Sam And Snoopy October Update:
This month I’ve been working with Snoopy a lot, and in the beginning of the month he would always run away from me when I was walking him so now I’ve been standing in front of him so he doesn’t run, but I’m working up to being able to lead him instead of him leading me. I went to a cattle clinic and learned so much! First I learned how to clip and fit by myself. And knowing the right percent of fat or protein that he needs in his feed. They also taught me showmanship skills. Snoopy has been fully clipped and he is super fluffy! He’s been eating and drinking good, both at home and at the clinic. He is still nervous about everything but he’s slowly getting better. I’m so excited for this year with Snoopy!
Wyatt and Bullet October Update:
This month I got my steer and named him Bullet. I have been trying to work with him everyday, he is getting better at walking but he sometimes stops when I am walking him and he sometimes runs towards his pen when I’m walking him towards his pen. I’m trying to teach him to not get scared when he is around bigger cattle. He is fine with the show stick but he moves his feet a lot when you touch them with the show stick. He’s been eating really well and he’s getting used to his pen and home. He is starting to like me and he is getting used to me pulling him around. He has been getting better at not running towards his pen these past few weeks.
Colby and Cinnamon October Update;
I have been working with Cinnamon every day. She has been getting better with walking to food and water, but it has been a lot of work. She has been washed twice so far since I got her. Her hair is very fluffy. She is ok with the show stick. She was stubborn and not eating on the halter at first but then she started to learn and now she eats on the halter. She gets 4 pounds of grain per feeding and unlimited hay. She has her head tied up for 2 hours a day. She is going to her first show in November and I’m hoping she will do well in it.
Kiara Gets her steer October 22:
Kiara was finally able to pick up her steer( he had been in quarantine before he could go to the dairy) she is already working with him and has named him Patrick, all her animals are named after Sponge Bob characters this year.
Samantha picked up here steer on Saturday October 12, 2024.
Samantha had her steer working the very next day as well, she has named him Snoopy.
Colby and Wyatt received there animals; Cinnamon and Bullet
The boys got there animals on Friday October 4th and were working with them the very next day.
Colby and Buttercup September update:
It was a fun weekend at the Norco Jr Fair. Colby won Showmanship for Goats and Cattle and Grand Champion Breeding Beef. We also enjoyed the Ranch Rodeo and Junior Bull Riding where we got to see Colby’s friend Tristan rode.
Cash’s Journey continues:
Hi for those who don’t know me my name is Kiara Konyn. In the past I have gotten to raise steers and a heifer though the Curren’s Cow Foundation. I got the privilege to take on Cash. I will be continuing to raise him for the Arizona National Show at the end of December. Even though I have not had him for long, we have gotten pretty close. We have been going on many walks around the dairy and he gets his hair worked with every day. He weighed 1020 lbs. this past weekend and is eating Purina Honors Show Chow Finishing Touch, Grass Hay, and a TMR blend. I loved working with this past month and can’t wait to see what the next month has in store for us. Today, the steer I bred for the San Diego County Fair, Squidward, moved in and became roommates with Cash. Thank again to Curren’s Cow Foundation, especially Pat Baker, for letting me work with and exhibit Cash.
Curren's Cows Foundation 