Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller says that cancelling one of the largest rodeos and livestock shows in the longhorn state is a big disappointment.
The Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show Committee decided they could not safely hold it in 2021 because of COVID-19 health concerns.
The livestock show features thousands of FFA and 4-H kids and winners get thousands of dollars in scholarships.
Miller says that he understands safety must come first.
“I think we can still have these stock shows and rodeos. A good example of that is the State Fair of Texas where they went ahead and let the youth show their animals and had some activities. We had some virtual pavilions and things like that, but to wholesale cancel them, that’s not good,” Miller said. “So much wrong with that. These kids have their animals that they’ve spent all year and a lot of money on and other projects, ag mechanics. Rodeo cowboys can’t make a living if there’s no rodeo, so it does concern me.”
San Antonio and Houston are planning on having their stock shows and rodeo in 2021.