POSTED! The new rules of showing livestock in the era of social media

Photos are being taken and posted on social media from every angle of the show ring. Always be set, always be aware! (Photo by Laurie Link at Country Linked)

​As I watch social media, it's becoming increasingly obvious a line is being drawn between those breeders that embrace the power of social media and those that are oblivious to it.

Here is the truth - if you are showing and selling stock, those animals are appearing on social media whether you intend for them to or not.

It's time to become aware and learn how to use that fact to boosts sales instead of hurting them. Here are some quick tips on maximizing your online presence.


1. Know where the live camera is

If you are at an event that is being streamed, you have to know where the camera is! I cannot count how many shows I watched online this year where the camera was centered on an exhibitor that was clueless about the FREE spotlight they were being granted. The judge wasn't looking in that spot so I spent hours looking at animals that weren't set up or exhibitors were clearly blocking my view.

Ask ahead of time and better yet, watch earlier shows on your own device. Once in the ring, be just as aware of that spot as you are of the judge. You are more likely to have people seeing your animal from their smartphone at home than sitting ring side. So pay attention!

2. ALWAYS be set

My fitter (AKA my husband) was trained relentlessly by his mentor that an animal is ALWAYS set unless in his pen or on the move. He demands the same for our animals now!

Even if the show is not being live streamed someone is taking pictures and posting them!

I was on Facebook today multiple times to get still shots and updates from a show I couldn't be at. In a number of those photos the judge was giving reasons so a few people were using that time as a break - and so were their animals! That means I was getting a pretty poor idea of what the animal actually looks like in the ring!

Just who is seeing those pictures? Other judges, other breeders, your potential buyers. Just do yourself and your stock a favor and make sure they are set all the time!


3. The judge is no longer the only judge

People use to rely heavily on printed results and maybe a few still photos to make determinations on who had successful breeding programs around the country.

Today, people are demanding proof! And they are going to social media to get it. A judge selecting your animal as the best is no longer good enough. Each person (potential customer) will see photos and video of the events and form their own opinions about who deserved the banners. Show for the judge but show for the cameras as well!

4. Your audience is endless

Years ago, you had to travel to multiple shows to make a name for your program. In today's world, you can broadcast your successful animals right into your buyers' palms.

This week we showed at Missouri State Fair. It used to be that we would only get our animals seen by a handful of potential buyers there. This week, only three hours after posting a picture of our champion ram, his photos had been seen by over 2500 people! In THREE hours! Since then the reach has nearly tripled.


5. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a bad picture is worth two thousand

Don't post bad pictures. Just don't.

Be aware of the photos you take and post. I cringe every time I see a post that says something like "This is isn't the best picture" or "This is the best we can get" and following is a terrible picture of what may (or may not) be a good animal. Take the time and get it right!


The livestock world is going through a huge change right now as our world shifts more to digital. Some breeders are catching on more quickly than others but we can all benefit from being more aware of what our animals look like ALL THE TIME!

Finally, if you're a person taking and posting those pictures thank you! All of the people in your sector of the industry appreciate your updates! However, you'll do the most good if you make those in your viewfinder very aware of where you are and what you are doing. Do the exhibitors, the judges, and your audience a huge favor and do your best to get good quality pictures of the animals!

Take the time and get it right!! It's not uncommon for us to take 30-40 shots of an animal to get one photo for our social media accounts.