County Fair Feature: Stevens stays busy showing, focuses on fun

Paislee Stevens of Buffalo has been showing livestock at the Johnson County Fair since she was eight years old. 

The 16-year-old is currently gearing up for her eighth county fair, making all the necessary preparations to ensure her market steer is ready for show day while balancing a busy schedule.

For Paislee, the best part about showing livestock is building community, learning about the cattle industry and having fun.

“Showing has been so fun,” she says. “I’m blessed to be able to show cattle.”

Getting started

Paislee comes from a ranching background. Her grandfather Bill Long started the family ranch east of Buffalo, where Paislee runs commercial Black Angus cattle along with her parents Andy and Heidi Stevens. 

Her interest in showing cattle blossomed through the Johnson County Cattlemen’s Supreme Cow Contest – a multi-phase program which allows 4-H and FFA youth to learn about the cattle cycle by exhibiting bred heifers, then showing them as cow/calf pairs the following year.

“Learning about the breeding process through the Supreme Cow contest and seeing everything come full circle has taught me so much,” Paislee says. “It’s a really good program.”

After winning an early phase of the contest, Paislee had the opportunity to select a registered Black Angus heifer donated by local seedstock producers Meg and Tyler Scales of ELK Angus in Buffalo. 

She has been showing local livestock ever since, alternating between club and commercial show calves along with a series of heifer and cow/calf projects.

Learning and growing 

Paislee says learning about the intricacies of breeding registered cattle has been a highlight of showing cattle. 

From expected progeny differences and genetics to artificial insemination, Paislee describes the learning experience as “fascinating.” 

“We run a commercial herd, so it’s very different,” she explains. 

Heidi says Paislee has had several “full circle moments” throughout her showing career, and her top priorities have always been raising a good product while having fun.

“Her goal has always been to have fun and to do the best she can,” Heidi says. “She knows the ribbon is not the ultimate goal – putting out a good product is.” 

Core community 

In addition to support from her family, Paislee expresses gratitude for the community she’s found through showing cattle at the county fair. 

“My favorite part about showing in Johnson County is the community,” Paislee says. “Everyone helps everyone.”

She has made several good friends throughout the years, including the Scales family, the Rives family and Hayden Geis.

Hayden has helped Paislee show her animals during years when she’s exhibited multiple cattle in the same class, and this year, she purchased her market steer from Taylor Rives. 

Staying busy

In addition to showing cattle, Paislee balances a busy schedule between serving as president of the Kountry Kids 4-H Club, helping out on the family ranch, riding pens at the local sale barn, competing in local rodeos and golfing for Buffalo High School.

After selling her steers each year, Paislee invests in more cattle or quality experiences like travel. Paislee says she loves to travel, and money from her show steers have helped pay for a car and trips to Greece and Ireland – well-deserved breaks between school and summer show preparation.

She jokes she gets enough of a break in the wintertime to be ready to do it all again the next year.

Paislee used to show horses and static exhibits like photography and leatherwork, but these days, she prioritizes livestock. 

In the past, she has taken as many as eight animals to the fair, but this year, Paislee plans to focus her attention on just one market steer and two cow/calf pairs.

Scaling down slightly allows her to keep her main focus on what matters most – having fun and doing her best.

“Showing is all about having fun, learning and enjoying the community,” Paislee emphasizes. “It’s not about the ribbon.”

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.