A True Family Tradition

For Josie Phillips of Maysville, Kentucky, the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is not just a place to exhibit her cattle; it's a second home. At just 17 years old, Josie has been attending NAILE since she was born and has been exhibiting cattle since she was 5 years old. Over a decade later, her passion for the show and for her cattle only continues to grow.

Phillips and her family exhibit Simmental and Angus cattle, continuing her deep-rooted family heritage in the livestock industry. As a fourth generation cattle producer, she follows in a long line of exhibitors who have made their mark at NAILE. Phillips' family connection to the show stretches all the way back to 1974, when her uncle exhibited a Simmental Steer at the first-ever NAILE at just 8 years old.

NAILE holds a special place for the Phillips family, not just because it's close to home for them but for what it represents. Phillips describes the show as a welcoming environment and a place that feels like one big agriculture classroom. She enjoys the opportunities for herself and other exhibitors to learn, grow, and honor traditions. In many ways, NAILE symbolizes the heart of Kentucky agriculture, and she's honored to be part of the community.

This year, the Phillips family brought an impressive 15 head of cattle, 14 of them being exhibited by Phillips and one being exhibited by her brother Wyatt. This year also brought one of Phillips' most memorable moments yet -- she and Wyatt secured both Champion and Reserve Champion Simmental Bred and Owned heifers. She talks about this experience being her favorite memory at the show, as having the chance to win two purple banners with cattle raised at home is incredibly special. The Phillips family capped off their 2025 NAILE experience with Wyatt taking home Reserve Overall Heifer in the final Open Beef Show of NAILE. 

For the Phillips family, NAILE represents so much more than the banners achieved over time. This is a show where passion and heritage intersect, and each new generation of the family adds a new chapter onto their story. As Phillips continues to compete and grow in the cattle industry, one thing is incredibly clear: the Phillips’ legacy on the green shavings is far from over.