Senior Celebrates Meeting Livestock Showing Goals
By Student Tucker Branson
Justin Enfield is a senior at Melcher-Dallas High School, and has been involved in showing livestock since the fourth grade with Saint Pride 4-H Club and Melcher-Dallas FFA. He shows goats all around the Midwest and western parts of the country.
Justin had a great 2025 season, having 10 plus banners from different Jackpot shows. Jackpots are livestock shows where large or small sums of money could be won, like the Fast and the Furious Sheep Show at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville. They are similar to showing at the county fair, but are more challenging to compete in than counties. "I like all the traveling I get to do and being able to fit different animals a lot," Justin said.
Outside of the show ring, Justin enjoys fitting, which is the grooming and preparation of the animal to show. "It is my number one hobby and way I make money. My favorite animal is by far is goats. That’s what I’ve raised and I love it, but I also love cattle; mainly fitting them because it is a bigger canvas."
He won the Marion County Fair Grand-Champion market goat which qualified him for the South-Central Iowa Showdown. He was awarded Grand-Champion there as well, which was his goal and favorite memory to date.
Justin explained what it takes to show at National shows and big Jackpot shows. "Consistency is the biggest thing in showing, feeding and just in general when it comes to livestock, but it also takes a strong mental will, confidence and a lot of showmanship practice."
Justin’s dream would be showing steer or heifer, "just because I think it would be the most different than sheep and goats".