SHEAR Genius - Alan Smith

09/03/2025

09/02/2025

Everyone enjoys a good Cinderella story. It gives us hope and reminds us to keep pushing, even when the goal feels out of reach. The 2025 Illinois Reserve Grand Barrow is exactly that kind of story, an underdog success. Before our online sale, the Kinsella boys walked through the barn in Good Hope, found a barrow they liked, and clicked one time. From that moment on, they went to work. Day in and day out, the boys never gave up hope. The barrow had the right pieces from the start and they maximized the barrows’ genetic potential. And Cash Kinsella and the barrow were named the 2025 Reserve Grand Barrow at the Illinois State Fair, for $300.

Stories like this remind us that it is not about the amount of money that is spent. When you put in the work and believe in the process, unimaginable things CAN happen. These are the moments that inspire us all.

At Hoge Livestock, we are proud to offer pigs at all price points, because we believe the most important thing is helping families find a pig that they believe in and ultimately enjoy their time in the barn together as a family!

Congratulations to the 𝑲𝙞𝒏𝙨𝒆𝙡𝒍𝙖 family on their 𝘾𝒊𝙣𝒅𝙚𝒓𝙚𝒍𝙡𝒂 story, a dream that started with just one click.

08/28/2025

✨ If you could step back into the ring with just one… who would it be?

Would you choose the one who taught you patience?
The one who melted into your arms for a quiet snuggle?
The one with a personality so big it could fill the barn?
Or maybe the one who gave it their all, every single time, no matter the odds.

They all left hoofprints on your heart in their own way.
Some taught you lessons you didn’t know you needed.
Some reminded you that winning is more than banners.
Some simply made every long night and early morning worth it.

Drop their name in the comments, and tell us why they’d be your one more go.

We can’t wait to hear the stories that still make you smile. ❤️

08/27/2025

Oscar Vartanian has been a long-time client and he just capped off his Senior show season with the Grand Champion Market Goat to follow with the Grand Champion Lamb last year! Congratulations to our clients from this summer as well as their entire show career!

08/17/2025

Lister Star History Lesson!
In the beginning, Lister made the Star clipper and used only a tan colored body for it. If you have one, and if the label is still on the switch slide, there should be a number stamped on it such as this one, 02056. The number represents that this was the 2,056 Lister Star ever made! When they changed to the green colored body, they quit stamping the number on the clipper. Most of these tan ones are “oldies but goodies”! A client sent it in to be serviced and it runs like a new set! Happy clipping, everyone!

08/13/2025

Look at this! Re-posted with permission. Look at the different lengths between the teeth of this Lister Fine comb! Personally, I’ve not noticed this before, but I am watching out for it now! This blade would lead to an uneven cut of the length of wool. If you buy a set of blades, take them out as soon as you receive them and look out for irregularities like this and send them back!!!!

08/11/2025

A client loaned this equipment to a friend and they ran into some fungus/ringworm, so to be proactive, they treated the blades with Ringout. However, they didn’t think about the 32oz of WATER added to the bottle of product and coated the blades with it. Remember to rinse any water soluble product with a petroleum based product to prevent rust. I use diesel fuel, but WD-40 is great, too! The acronym stands for Water Displacement- 40th trial! I was only able to save two of these combs, so the end result was a $150-200 loss of equipment!

08/07/2025

08/03/2025

Does your Governor invite FFA and 4H exhibitors of National Champion livestock to the State Capitol, introduce them to other legislators, chat with them about their experieces, and take pictures with them? Ours does! Kevin Stitt, Governor of the great state of Oklahoma!