The Pursuit of a Purple Banner

The North American International Livestock Exposition brings together the best of the best; this year’s competition was no exception. A highlight of the 2024 NAILE American Boer Goat Association Show was the incredible achievement by Grace Day and Aaron Yoakum of Yoakum Livestock. Their hard work and dedication paid off as their born and raised buck was named the 2024 Overall Champion ABGA Fullblood Buck. Their story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of excellence in the livestock industry.

For Yoakum Livestock, success goes beyond ribbons or trophies; it’s a feeling of inner accomplishment and fulfillment of a dream.

“Success is a feeling within yourself, a feeling of achievement, whether that’s an achievement of a goal or dream,” said Day.

Winning a champion banner at a prestigious show like NAILE is more than just recognition; it’s a testament to the hours of hard work, the late nights, and the challenges they have overcome.

“A champion banner means all the hard work, late nights, and low lows weren’t all for nothing,” said Day. “The success in that one day drives our motivation to continue to push forward.”

Yoakum’s advises fellow breeders and exhibitors: “Breed and/or show what you like and stand by it. At the end of the day, you’re the one looking at it and investing your time and money into it every day.”

This mindset has guided their approach, focusing on producing livestock they proudly showcase in the ring. For them, showing livestock isn’t just a hobby but a labor of love, rooted in a deep appreciation for the agriculture community. Being selected as the Champion ABGA Fullblood Buck at NAILE, in front of peers, friends, and mentors, is an experience they won’t soon forget.

“It is the highest level of competition in the nation, and it truly is an honor,” Day said.

Competing at NAILE highlights their hard work and years dedicated to perfecting their breeding program, which is fueled by their love for the livestock industry. They have found their niche in the show ring, and their passion and commitment to producing exceptional animals are evident in every aspect of their operation. 

“We strive to make livestock that’s hard to make in terms of feature and structural integrity,” they emphasized.

Congratulations to Yoakum Livestock on this incredible achievement!