McKinzie Smith grew up on her family’s ranch in Utah, dreaming of running her own cattle someday. She was raised to love the land, the livestock, and God’s own creations alongside her family. This innate passion for agriculture can been seen in the tedious work she has done to promote agriculture in her community and across the country. Her dad always taught her to stay open minded, and that led her to purchase her first show lamb, "Watch Me", during her senior year of high school. Coming from a beef background, there was a lot of learning to do when it came to her knowledge of the sheep industry. Taking Watch Me to shows that first summer introduced McKenzie into the world of show lambs and she fell head over heels for it. Those in and out of the show ring saw the passion she omitted for the livestock, and were eager to help coach the inexperienced cattle rancher, turned sheep producer. Her dedication to her lamb and learning from those who lent a helping hand, led to her first championship market lamb title. McKinzie and Watch Me took home Reserve Champion Market Lamb at a jackpot show in Evanston, Wyoming. After “accidently” buying "Christmas" at an auction, (Yes the name is after her birthday), McKenzie’s flock began. She proved to be very successful in the show ring and Christmas was part of her very first set of breeding stock. The pair would go on to earn Grand Champion Breeders Flock at the 2017 Box Elder County Fair in Tremonton, UT. Not bad for a rookie lamb shower and producer... This recognition helped her spark the idea to start her business, Deep Creek Livestock, two years ago. When asked about what initially began her business, McKinzie said “I accidently bought a Ewe (Christmas), and well that eventually turned into four” and now she has around 15 on their ranch in Utah. Although she has always had a dream of running her own business, sheep aren’t what she would have ever guessed. It has been challenging to raise a species of livestock she’s not familiar with, but when she looks outside at her lambs, it’s a dream come true. My crazy idea has become a reality and it’s something I started and can say is mine! The details are important to McKinzie to ensure she is breeding the best stock. All records are kept diligently in her little red book. She keeps track of every lamb’s sire and dam, healthy history, and their success in and out of the show ring. Doing all these things allows her to continually improve the genetics and quality of her lambs every breeding season.. Her 2019 lamb crop is her best yet, with DC Dreamer, as well as a few other standout lambs that she will take with to jackpot shows this summer to compete with the best club lamb breeders in the western US. Her goal is to be up to 30 head of lambs and build a new barn in the next year! Overall, McKinzie strives to run a successful operation while also educating 4-HH and FFA youth to raise quality livestock. She is often found bringing her lambs to various events or coaching students to improve their livestock judging skills. When I asked McKinzie if she had any advice to her younger self she said, “Stay open minded, set reasonable goals, but be open to any opportunity that presents itself. Knowledge is power and learn every bit of information you can!” And I think we can be sure she is passing this wisdom on to those she mentors and meets, from 4-H youth, to legislators at the capitol through Utah Wool Growers or American National Cattlewomen. When’s she’s not tending her livestock or advocating for agriculture, you can find her doing leatherwork or riding her red roan. McKinzie is a great example of what passion for agriculture can grow into. She didn’t let inexperience hold her back from what she is capable of. By actively learning and surrounding herself with great mentors, she was able to achieve things she never imagined would be possible. She may not receive all the money in the world to buy “lots of sheep, horses, cattle and sweet slick fork saddles”, but she is making her mark in the livestock industry at just 22 years old. I wanted to share her story because I think it's important to show women and young people that you can make a living in agriculture. We are often steered away from it either by our own self doubt, fear of the unknown, or negative connotations with farmers and ranchers. There is not a more noble calling than clothing and feeding the world. By using our unique perspectives and passion for agriculture, we can add more to table and wake up each day loving what we do.
So mommas, let your babies grow up to be cowboys or cowgirls, or in this case, sheep producers.
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AuthorThis is a blog to share many stories, laughs, adventures and lessons learned by yours truly, Haley Potter. Archives
July 2023
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