KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Meet 16-year-old Jayde Schilling of Kirksville. Agriculture has always been a part of his life since he was a kid helping out on his grandfather’s farm. A few years ago he and his dad decided to take on a different type of livestock…zebu cattle from India.
“I was very shocked at idea. I had no idea what a zebu was. I did my research. I got these guys. It’s just been amazing.”
Other than the zebus, horses are Jayde’s main focus. He along with his horse partner and pal Rip have competed at the NEMO Fair and The Adair County 4-H show and has won awards such as showmanship and 1st place.
“He has been an awesome horse. He’s taught me everything I know about showing horses. Being part of a team, The Kirksville FFA, has taught me so much more on top of that which in turn I used to show my horse with.”
Taking care of these two animals requires Jayde to have tons of responsibility and working long hours. But enjoys every minute of it and has witnessed a few funny moments.
“One of the zebus got out and my Ag advisor helped me to catch him. My advisor was on a horse when he saw the zebu trying to escape. My advisor got off the horse and bulldogged and tied up this zebu cattle on the ground.”
Jayde says the Kirksville FFA has made a huge impact on his life and wants to keep agriculture in his life.
“In the future, I’m going to take what I’ve learned from doing agriculture and apply it to my future. I want to make sure that our future has good potential and good plans.”
When not working on the farm, Jayde enjoys free time doing Taekwondo. He hopes to go to Mizzou in the future and study agriculture and law enforcement.
Congratulations Jayde on being this week’s Ag Kid.
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