Cheat Codes- Show Stock Edition

Send us Fan MailThinking about going to your first jackpot show… but not sure where to start?This episode is for you.We sat down with Daren Chambers and Cody Long from the Heartland Youth Show Lamb Circuit (HYSLC) to break down everything a show family needs to know before pulling into their first jackpot.From finding and entering shows on the Showman app… to what actually happens when you arrive… to how the rings work and how to not miss your class — we walk through the entire day step-by-step.If you’ve never been to a jackpot before, this is the conversation we wish we had.In this episode, we cover:What the HYSLC circuit is and how it worksHow to find and enter jackpot showsWhat to expect when you arrive on show dayHow classes, rings, and double headers actually runWhat to bring (for both your lambs and your kids)Common beginner mistakes — and how to avoid themWhy showmanship still matters (more than you think)Whether you’re just getting started or looking to get more comfortable on the circuit, this episode will help you show up prepared and confident.Because the hardest part of jackpots… is just getting started.

Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever felt like you’re just guessing when it comes to feeding your animals… this episode is for you.In this conversation, I sit down with Rob Cooper, a PhD-level ruminant nutritionist with over 20 years of experience developing feeding programs for large-scale cattle operations, to break down what actually matters when it comes to feed, supplements, and performance.We dive into the fundamentals of nutrition—energy, protein, and what’s really happening inside the rumen—and then connect it directly to what you’re seeing in the barn. From analyzing your animals, to adjusting feed, to understanding why some lambs handle soft while others stay hard, this episode is built to give you a clearer framework instead of more confusion.We also get into: How feeding changes when you introduce exercise (treadmill, walking, etc.)  The truth about supplements—and what’s actually worth your money  Why consistency in feeding matters more than most people realize  The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)  Practical strategies for lambs, steers, and breeding heifers One of the biggest takeaways: you can’t just throw more feed at an animal and expect results. Understanding what to change and why is what separates average programs from great ones. If you’re serious about improving your feeding program—or just want to stop second-guessing yourself every time you walk into the barn—this is a must-listen.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Cheat Codes, I sit down with Kaid Panek—someone who’s just a couple years ahead of me in the show stock world and still very much in the trenches figuring it out.This isn’t a polished “expert” interview. It’s a real conversation between two show dads comparing notes, sharing mistakes, and trying to shortcut the learning curve for anyone getting started.We talk through what we both got wrong early on, the things we completely overcomplicated, and what actually matters once you get a little experience under your belt. From getting roped into goats (that definitely aren’t “low maintenance”), to building routines, to realizing that sometimes the best education is just showing up and getting beat—there’s a lot in here for beginners and parents navigating this world for the first time.Kaid also shares his perspective on documenting the journey on TikTok, why people connect with real content over highlight reels, and how social media has actually helped him learn faster.We wrap up talking about goals for this season, what he’s trying to do differently, and the bigger picture behind all of it.Because at the end of the day…We’re not just raising animals—we’re raising kids.🎯 In this episode, we cover: The biggest misconceptions when starting in show stock  What beginners tend to overcomplicate  How routines and systems evolve over time  Lessons learned from jackpots and getting beat  Goats, lambs, steers… and yes, treadmills  Using TikTok to document and accelerate the learning curve  What actually matters vs what doesn’t  Goals and mindset going into this season If you’re new to show stock or figuring it out as you go, this podcast is for you.Share this episode with someone else getting started—let’s learn this together.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, we sit down with Allison May of Pinnacle Livestock Solutions to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces in the show stock world—perception.From the way animals are presented in sale photos to how families show up at jackpots, perception quietly influences outcomes at every level. But what does that actually mean for families who are just getting started?We break down:How perception develops in show stock (and why it matters)Where it shows up—from fitting and showmanship to online salesWhether new families should even worry about “marketing” in their first few yearsThe role social media really plays (and what you can safely ignore)And how emerging sale data is starting to bring more clarity to an otherwise “gut-feel” marketAllison also shares insight from tracking weekly online lamb sale averages—offering a rare, data-driven look into pricing trends, buyer behavior, and what drives value in today’s market.If you’ve ever wondered:“Am I behind?”“Do I need to be on social media?”“How do I know what a lamb is actually worth?”This episode will help you think about the show stock world in a much clearer—and healthier—way.As always, this isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about understanding the game so you can play it better.

Send us Fan MailWhat do fitters actually see when your animal walks into the barn?In this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, Tom sits down with experienced fitter Troy Goretska to talk about what separates average projects from great ones — and why most success in the show barn comes down to daily habits, consistency, and good management, not just feed or supplements.Troy shares how he got started in fitting, what he notices immediately when he looks at a new animal, and the biggest mistakes newer show families tend to make. They also break down some of the confusing terminology used by judges and fitters — words like cover, bloom, freshness, and handle — so beginners can better understand what those comments actually mean in the ring. The conversation also dives into:Why daily management and routine matter more than most people thinkHow to evaluate livestock and identify what your project actually needsWhen supplements help — and when they don’tWhy finding the right mentors and “your people” can accelerate your learning curveThe philosophy Troy calls “Rule #1: Be a good home” for your livestockFor new families especially, Troy offers practical advice on building a foundation, learning from experienced exhibitors, and focusing on the process rather than just the color of the ribbon.If you’re new to show livestock — or looking to level up your program — this episode will help you better understand how experienced fitters think about managing animals and preparing them for the ring.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with another show family who’s just getting started so more people can learn a thing or two along the way.And don’t forget to subscribe to Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with breeders, fitters, judges, and other experts across the industry.

Send us Fan MailCheat Codes Debrief – Moving Day, Barn Setup & What’s NextThe last few weeks have been a little chaotic behind the scenes.After a lot of waiting and moving parts, we finally closed on our new place and are now in the middle of getting everything moved, cleaning up the show barn, and getting the animals settled in so we can get back into a normal routine.Because of that, the podcast has been a little quiet recently. This time of year is packed with major shows, sales, and trade events, and many of the guests we’re lining up are running pretty hard right now.The good news is we have three great guests in the pipeline — we’re just working through schedules to make it happen.In the meantime, I’ll start sharing some of the show barn transformation as we get this place set up. If you want to follow along, look for those updates on TikTok and Facebook.This podcast is all about helping beginner show stock families shorten the learning curve, and we want to build future interviews around the questions you actually want answered.If you’ve got beginner questions about:FeedingFittingBreedingBarn setupDaily routinesOr anything else in the show stock worldSend them to the Cheat Codes Facebook page and we’ll start asking them to upcoming guests.And if you’ve been enjoying the podcast, leaving a quick review or rating helps new listeners discover the show and helps us bring better guests onto the podcast.Thanks for following along.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a kid doesn’t start showing livestock at five years old?In this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, Tom sits down with father–daughter duo John Lemley and Kaytlynn Lemley to talk about late starts, family pressure, entrepreneurship, and what the barn really builds in kids.Kaytlynn didn’t grow up in the show ring. She tried dance, volleyball, band, and color guard before stepping into livestock in high school. What began with one Southdown sheep turned into a State Fair class win, years of hard lessons, and eventually the launch of her own business — Farm Fierce, a lamb leg wrap company now shipping across the country.Now pursuing her Master’s in Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University, Kaytlynn reflects on:Starting “late” in the industryLearning resilience through losingNavigating pressure from a competitive dadDiscovering that parents aren’t meant to be friends first — they’re meant to prepare youTurning a side idea during COVID into a real businessJohn shares the parent side of the journey — the balance between pushing and pulling back, the reality of breeding sheep (and losing them), and the hard-earned wisdom that success in this industry requires finding the right people and sticking with them.This conversation isn’t about banners. It’s about identity shifts, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and raising kids who can handle pressure long after the show season ends.If you’re a parent with a kid just starting — or a family trying to figure out how hard to push — this one’s for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this Weekly Debrief episode of Cheat Codes — Show Stock Edition, Tom shares another real-time update from the barn — the wins, setbacks, and lessons that come with learning livestock management alongside family.This episode revisits a previous situation involving a ewe with a prolapse, walking through the treatment decisions, a follow-up vet visit, and the outcome after getting the issue corrected. It’s a practical look at navigating unfamiliar territory, learning as you go, and adjusting when things don’t go perfectly the first time.Tom also discusses the unexpected loss of Sterling, the Highland steer that was being fed out for the freezer. What began as a routine feeding plan turned into a veterinary investigation, an early trip to the locker, and ultimately the discovery of a ruptured kidney that made the meat unusable. The conversation reflects on risk, emotional reality, financial decisions, and the unpredictable nature of working with animals.As always, this debrief isn’t about presenting expertise — it’s about documenting the journey, sharing honest experiences, and letting others follow along as lessons unfold in real time.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, Tom sits down with Becky Drlik and Sadie McClung to break down the world of online livestock sales and auctions.Together, they walk through how online sales actually work, what buyers should expect, and where families often get tripped up. From bidding and payment processes to understanding sale terms like flush rights, shared ownership, and leases, this conversation is designed to remove confusion and help parents make more informed decisions.This episode is purely educational — not sponsored and not tied to any single platform. Whether you’re brand new to buying show stock or just trying to avoid costly mistakes, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what really matters when buying animals online.

Send us Fan MailCheat Codes: Weekly Debrief is a short, weekly mini-podcast documenting real-time lessons from the barn — the wins, the setbacks, and the decisions in between.This isn’t a clinic or expert advice. It’s documentation. We share what we tried, why we tried it, what worked, and what didn’t as we learn in real time.Each week we break down:What went wellWhat didn’tWhat we learnedHow we’re adjusting going forwardFrom animal health and feeding to facilities, weather, mindset, and problem-solving — this is real life, not polished theory.No gurus. No shortcuts. Just a guy with a microphone, failing forward in public.

Send us Fan MailCheat Codes: Weekly Debrief is a short, weekly mini-podcast documenting real-time lessons from the barn — the wins, the setbacks, and the decisions in between.This isn’t a clinic or expert advice. It’s documentation. We share what we tried, why we tried it, what worked, and what didn’t as we learn in real time.Each week we break down:What went wellWhat didn’tWhat we learnedHow we’re adjusting going forwardFrom animal health and feeding to facilities, weather, mindset, and problem-solving — this is real life, not polished theory.No gurus. No shortcuts. Just a guy with a microphone, failing forward in public.

Send us Fan MailBuying your first show calf or show lamb can be the most intimidating part of the entire show stock journey — especially for parents who didn’t grow up in the industry or who feel overwhelmed by how much has changed.In this episode of Cheat Codes — Show Stock Edition, I sit down with Philip Doty, a breeder to talk honestly about the buying process from the breeder’s side. We break down how private treaty and auction sales actually work, what breeders notice about first-time buyers, and which questions parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask.We discuss:Why breeders choose private treaty vs auction salesWhat good buyers do differently than first-time buyersHow parents should think about budgets and expectationsThe difference between price and fit — especially in year oneWhat matters most for families just getting startedThis isn’t a promotional conversation. It’s a parent-focused discussion designed to reduce intimidation, clarify the process, and help families move forward with confidence when buying their first show animal.

Send us Fan MailEpisode 1: Feeling Behind in the Show World? You’re Not Alone.If you’re a parent stepping into show cattle or show lambs and thinking, “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing but me,” this episode is for you.In this first episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, I share why the show stock world feels so confusing for parents — even those with past livestock experience — and how much the game has changed over time.You’ll hear:How my own background (and my wife’s) shaped our expectationsWhy buying the animal is often more stressful than feeding or showingWhat it’s really like navigating breeders, online sales, and uncertaintyWhy overwhelm isn’t a failure — it’s a signal that the system isn’t explainedThis podcast exists to help parents gain clarity, not perfection — and to make sure confusion doesn’t cost kids opportunities.