We caught up with breeding ewe judge Kash Allen before he steps “Inside the Ring” at Missouri State Fair. We invite you to read our candid interview with Kash below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Inside the Ring.”
WHO GOT YOU INVOLVED IN THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY AND HOW?
There are a lot of friends, family, and mentors that played a big role as far as investing in me and getting me involved within the industry. My parents both come from small family farms, nothing more than small commercial cow calf operations and hay production. I think my Mom was the one who lit the fuse when I was young. She realized my size and stature probably was going to offer nothing prosperous in competitive sports and suggested I get a livestock project for the county fair. I decided to take off with sheep and I had a local neighbor Seth Hooper who helped me with those projects throughout high school. From that moment on I was ate up with wanting to know and learn everything there was about the sheep industry and livestock industry as a whole. My college judging coaches (Jade Jenkins and Dr. Blake Bloomberg) did take a chance on me and allow me to come in and learn and meet people that have been very influential in my life after college within the industry.
WHAT IS A DREAM YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH?
I always wanted to raise a sheep that wins either a national show or an OYE/Texas Major.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WHERE YOU CURRENTLY LIVE?
I am from a small town of Bunch Oklahoma and I currently still live there. My wife grew up in the area with me and we both always wanted to keep the family farms going and try to expand them as we grow older.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SHEEP YOU’VE EVER SEEN?
My judging career hasn’t been long but my favorite animal to this date that I judged would be the goat I used to win the great western shootout in Woodward Oklahoma. I thought that he was the epitome of what good stock was regardless of species.
WHAT IS A PET PEEVE OF YOURS IN THE RING?
Poor sportsmanship and bad attitudes
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ROAD TRIP SNACK?
I love stoping at gas stations and getting whatever they have in their “hot box” like chicken strips, pizza, etc.
SHOWING BY WEIGHTS OR BY BREEDS?
Breeds
STATE FAIRS OR NATIONAL SHOWS?
State Fairs
EVALUATING STOCK ON THE MOVE OR ON THE PROFILE?
On the Move
