Your business/person to watch is Mallory Bowers owner of MLB livestock!  She has grown up in this industry and has been a big influencer to young showman!  Now she has decided to start MLB livestock.  

“ I’m Mallory Bowers, I’m from Lafayette Indiana and I own and operate MLB Livestock. I’m going into my senior year at Purdue studying Ag Sales & Marketing as well as continuing my judging career on the livestock judging team.”

I asked Mallory why she started MLB livestock.

“As a kid, I always dreamed of owning my own business, so when my family sold out of the sheep business I was honestly heartbroken. Raising and showing sheep is all I have known my entire life, so I knew that there was no way my journey in the industry was over, so MLB Livestock was born.”When raising sheep we all know it starts with the ewe.  I asked Mallory when raising sheep what type of ewe do you look for.

“The first thing I look for is structure. My junior college coach Craig Beckmier always said you cannot build a house without a strong foundation. After that, once the maternal qualities and muscle fall into place, you can focus on the “trendy” details.”

What’s your biggest must in a show lamb?

“My biggest must is being able to travel well in the ring.”

As Mallory continues I asked her what she sees in MLB livestock’s future.

 “I see growth in the future. Right now I’m a college kid living off of a college kid budget, so once I close that chapter, I’ll be ready and willing to keep expanding.” 

Even though MLB has just started, the struggles come with the game.

“ I’m fresh into my own business, so thus far I haven’t ran into any big struggles yet, just little things like having enough space for everything or keeping track of all the supplies/materials I use (I’m really good at misplacing things, then ending up having multiples because I buy another)!”

Who has taught you the most about breeding sheep?

“My dad. Hands down. He lit the flame of passion in me as soon as he possibly could. There hasn’t been a week of my life that I haven’t spent time in the barn, seeing livestock somewhere, or evaluating livestock. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.”

“It sounds cliche, but there will be trials, struggles and everything in between but the reward on the other end is so worth it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so give yourself grace if things don’t happen right away. Nobody else decides when you quit except for you. And always, ALWAYS, stay true to yourself.”