Wyatt DeBerry, 17 years old, from Otton, TX is a hard worker, with a passion for showing cattle. Along with his work in the show ring, he is active in FFA, football, track, golf, his youth group, 4-H, the Texas Junior Angus Association and the Texas and AJSA Simmental Association. A schedule like that would be a challenge for anyone, but Wyatt doesn’t let it get in the way of his ambition.
“I’ve been showing for six years.” Wyatt says, “My parents got me into it because my sister was showing angus.” Angus is a particular favorite of Wyatt “It’s probably one of the hardest breeds to show and I love the look. It’s the business breed.” Wyatt got his angus and steer from Quincy West and a Simmental from Shipwreck Cattle.
So, what is the secret to Wyatt’s success? Hard work and perseverance. He rinses every day, washing once per week, and exercises his animals every day and works hard to get their hair growing and looking just right. For him, however, the biggest challenge is the raising. “Getting them broke is the biggest challenge.” he says, “It can be quite the rodeo!” One year his heifer earned the name Freak Show, and at the Amarillo Tri-State Fair got away from Wyatt and took off. But he kept at it with her. “We finally got her trained down, but it was tough.”
In addition to all that work, Wyatt relies on Hi-Pro Show Feeds to get his animals looking their best. “It’s had so many champions over the years.” He says “It’s one of the best feeds you can get. We’ve never had a bad bag in all these years.”
In spite of his age and experience, Wyatt says he still gets nervous on show day. “I still get nervous.” He says, “I was very nervous at Houston and Fort Worth, but over the years I’ve learned to stay calm and concentrate on what I’m doing.”
This ability to stay cool under pressure has paid off in many ways. This year was a huge year for him, winning Reserved Grand Champion Angus in San Angelo, British Supreme Heifer at the Houston Stock Show, and Reserved Grand Champion Angus at the Fort Worth Stock Show. “It’s always so exciting to win.” He says “I don’t think that will ever change. Every win feels like the first win.”
For Wyatt, though, showing is about much more than just winning. “I’ve made so many friends from different breeds and associations. All the people I’ve met have opened up my life more and more over the years. It’s been a real blessing.”
Hi-Pro Feeds is proud of Wyatt’s hard work and all of his incredible accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
For more information on our Show Feeds, click here.
