Through Her Eyes: Experiencing NAILE from a New Perspective

At the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), every exhibitor brings their own story into the ring—one built on dedication, growth, and the unspoken bond between showman and animal. This year, that story came to life in a new way in the Swine Showmanship ring.

Swine exhibitor Kate Heikes became the first person to wear Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in the NAILE show ring. The glasses recorded her class in real time, allowing audiences to see the show exactly as an exhibitor does—through her eyes, in the moment. 

“In today’s world, there’s so much modern technology,” she said. “I’d seen similar advancements before, and I just thought it was such a cool idea. I immediately saw the vision and knew it would be a lot of fun to try.” 

Once the class began, the glasses recorded every detail—the careful turns, the quiet focus, the subtle cues between Kate and the pig. 

“People came up to me afterward and said, ‘Nice glasses,’” she laughed. “Everyone thought it was such a cool idea because it gave people a glimpse into what the showman sees and feels in the ring.” 

Through the lenses, the audience can witness what usually goes unseen: the rhythm, awareness, and precision that define elite showmanship.

“You can’t truly replicate what the showman experiences in the ring,” Heikes said. “You can watch from the stands, but actually seeing what the showman sees — everything they’re thinking about and reacting to — captures what this experience is all about.” 

She believes technology like this can bridge generations, inspiring younger exhibitors and educating others about the skill and care involved. 

“I think the glasses can really help younger kids,” she said. “They can learn from seeing what it’s like in the ring. It’s paving the way for more innovation in our industry.” 

To Heikes, innovation and technology give people a new way to appreciate tradition. And while the glasses recorded her point of view, the experience prompted Heikes to look inward. 

“It gave me a new perspective,” she said. “When you’re in the ring, you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you don’t think about anything else. But taking a step back made me wonder what everyone else is seeing and what they’re feeling too.”

That awareness of herself, her peers, and the shared effort it takes to reach the green shavings is what makes her experience powerful. Technology gave her footage; perspective gave it meaning. 

When the show ended, she found herself thinking less about the results and more about what the moment meant. 

“I was really excited,” she said. “My dad mentioned that he knew someone who worked for Meta, and I just thought it was such a cool opportunity. AI is becoming such a big part of our world, and being able to use it in the livestock industry in a positive way — that’s exciting.” 

When asked to describe the experience in one word, she thought for a moment before answering.

“Perspective,” she said. “That’s the word — just perspective.” 

That single word captured the heart of her experience—and, in many ways, the future of agriculture itself. Technology might offer new ways to see, but it’s perspective that allows us to understand.

NAILE remains Heikes’ favorite show of the year.

“I told my dad after last year that we had to come back,” she said. “It’s just such a great experience, and I plan to be here every year.” 

This year, she left with more than ribbons. She left with a new way of seeing the industry she loves—proof that progress and passion can coexist on the same shavings.