MERCEDES — The judging of market lambs Tuesday afternoon at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show filled the bleachers with relatives, friends and livestock aficionados who cheered students bringing their lamb projects before the judges.
First and second place winners of the haired sheep light, medium and heavy weight classes present their lambs for judge Kelly Bruns to choose the grand and reserve champions Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)PSJA FFA students Sarahi and Oliver Flores prepare their lambs for showing Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Benny Garza, of Mission FFA, combs his lamb’s legs while it stands in a cart ahead of showing Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)FFA parent and supporter Dalia Treviño sports a pair of lamb earrings Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Competitors and their families check the schedule for the lamb and goat division Tuesday, March 14, 2023, ahead of the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Harlingen South FFA student Kylie Mitchell wipes down her lamb with a cloth as she prepares for showing Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Kathy Gutierrez helps her daughter Lia Kathleen, of Rio Grande City FFA, with her hair before showing starts Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Weslaco FFA student Diego Calderon accepts the Grand Champion banner for haired sheep on the arena floor Tuesday, March 14, 2023, during the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Aubree Rodriguez, of Rio Grande City FFA, holds her lamb in position Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Competitors and supporters wait outside the arena with their lambs for their class Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Brothers Brenden and Cameron Kromer, of Weslaco East FFA, hose down their lambs as they prepare to show Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for the judging of market lambs at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)
