The NJSA would like to recognize Cassidy Hayes, 21, of Port Lavaca, Texas as a youth spotlight. The son of Jimmy and Paula Hayes, Cassidy has one sister, Everleigh, and one brother, Landry. Cassidy is a student at Texas A&M University where he participates in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, College of Ag and Life Sciences Student Council, and the 2010 Livestock Judging Team. Outside of school, Cassidy enjoys livestock judging on a national collegiate level and co-managing and owning a 45 sow showpig operation.
Cassidy started showing pigs when he was ten years old and in the 4th grade. When asked why he shows pigs, Cassidy replied, “I think it makes you unique and allows you to step outside the boundaries of the normal kid. Also, the amount of opportunities that exist through the showring and the swine industry are phenomenal and the people you are exposed to make you want to keep doing it. My best friends in the world are involved in this industry.” The challenge of always trying to make or exhibit one better than you had last year is what really makes showing enjoyable to Cassidy. Every aspect of breeding, raising, and showing hogs fascinates him. The National Junior Summer Spectacular and the San Antonio Barrow Show are his favorite shows.
Some of Cassidy’s accomplishments include finishing as the High Individual at the San Antonio Livestock Show Senior Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, 3rd High Individual at the National Barrow Show Judging Contest, 2nd High Individual at the Houston Livestock Show Livestock Judging Contest, High Team at both Houston and Forth Worth Livestock Judging Contests, was one of fifteen junior college livestock judging All-Americans when at Blinn College in 2008-2009, and placed 2nd in Senior Sweepstakes and 3rd in the Skillathon at the 2010 National Junior Summer Spectacular.
Cassidy’s most memorable moments in the NJSA, “are sitting down at all of the tables as I was going through the skillathon and simply visiting with all of the brilliant people across the table; networking and getting to know all of the people who in our world are considered “famous.” I learned more there than anywhere else,” Cassidy said. When asked what he would like to tell younger members about the NJSA, Cassidy responded, “Get involved! I don’t believe there is another youth livestock program in the world that provides as many opportunities as the NJSA. You get to meet so many people that can open major doors for you down the road within your education or career.”
Cassidy plans on graduating in the fall of 2011 with an Animal Science degree, and then continuing his education by pursuing a Master’s degree, and eventually a Ph.D. in Swine Nutrition. If possible, he would also like to coach a collegiate livestock judging team along the way. Nutrition is his interest and focal point, but he’s also seriously considered the prospect of an NSR field representative or something of that nature.
The NJSA would like to congratulate Cassidy on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors!
Submitted by Cally Hass, 2010 NJSA Intern