BELLE — The proud tradition of animal husbandry was carried on at the 77th Annual Belle Fair over the weekend, where young handlers and seasoned exhibitors alike showcased their livestock despite bouts of stormy weather. Among the many dedicated participants was 16-year-old Braelyn Wagner of Rolla, whose passion for cattle runs deep through her family’s roots.

Wagner, a veteran of the show circuit despite her age, has been competing in livestock exhibitions since she was five years old. “I have about nine belt buckles and around seven banners,” she said, reflecting on more than a decade of work with animals.

Her current partner in the ring, a cow named Carma, has been under her care for the last year and a half, a relationship built on daily effort and patience. Wagner credits her aunts with introducing her to the world of livestock showing.

“My aunts showed when they were younger and wanted me to get involved,” she said. “If I could give a younger person advice about showing, it would be to keep going and take all the advice you can.”

Supporting her every step of the way is her grandfather, Stacy Yoakum, owner of Yoakum Farms and a lifelong advocate of animal agriculture.

“We’ve been showing animals for years, twenty or thirty years at least,” Yoakum said. “We used to show a lot of hogs more than we did cattle.”

Watching his granddaughter take the reins has been a source of pride.

“I feel like it’s made her better in life, growing up and understanding how things work,” he said. “My advice to her, and anybody getting into this, is hang in there and work hard. When you have bad days, keep moving and get through them. The better days will be well worth it. The main thing is to be happy and enjoy yourself.”

Another generational legacy at this year’s fair was 19-year-old Ella Tipton of Belle, who stepped into the show ring for the first time. Though she grew up helping with chores on her family’s farm and assisting friends at livestock events, 2025 marked her first year as a competitor.

“My dad has a family farm and I’ve always helped my friends out, so this year I decided to get my own,” said Tipton.

Her show animal, named Malibu Barbie, has been with her since November 2024.

“She gets rinsed multiple times a day. She’s not just out in the pasture like any other commercial cow,” Tipton said.

Tipton said the learning curve is steep, but rewarding.

“It’s not easy and you have to learn over and over again,” she said, advising prospective exhibitors to be prepared to fail before they succeed. Despite the challenges, she enjoyed her first year in the show ring and is already planning to return.

“I plan to have another heifer entered in next year’s fair,” she said.

For young women like Wagner and Tipton, the Belle Fair is more than just a weekend event; it’s a platform to learn, grow, and carry forward the agricultural traditions that have shaped their families and communities for generations.

As families like the Yoakums and Tiptons demonstrate year after year, the livestock exhibitions at the Belle Fair are more than a competition, they are a living legacy, handed down through generations with grit, guidance, and genuine respect for the animals.