“I’m a fifth-generation cattleman and raising and showing cattle is our way of life.”
What is better than starting out the week with a kid that gets it?! Mason Leifeste is from Cameron, Texas and the son of Alan and Samantha Cross Leifeste.
We recently got to visit with Mason, check it out below!
SCO: Who has been the most influential person/people in your show career?
MASON: That would be my dad, Alan, and my Papa Stan Cross. My dad has been involved in the show cattle business since he was young and started Leifeste Cattle Service while in college. He’s the hardest worker I know and does anything he can to help my brother, sister, and I be successful. My Papa Stan has been in the cattle business forever…pretty sure something like 65 years. He’s an old-timer and was one of the pioneers showing Charolais cattle all across the country. And boy does he have the stories to back it up!
SCO: What is one moment you will never forget?
MASON: Wow, that’s a hard one because I have had several unforgettable moments. I guess one would be winning Champion Charolais Heifer in San Antonio and then Supreme Champion Heifer in 2016 with “Jenna”. She was a bred and owned that had a very successful show career. To accomplish that and win a $15,000 scholarship at the age of 10 was pretty darn memorable. I’ll never forget my family’s reaction to that moment. It was truly a big family win! And most recently, being named Champion Intermediate Showman at the National Junior Charolais Show in Perry, Georgia this summer. That was a goal I set for myself a long time ago at my very first junior national and getting the champion handshake this summer was a pretty cool moment.
SCO: How has showing prepared you for life as an adult?
MASON: Showing livestock helps you prepare for adulthood in so many ways. Of course, you learn responsibility, dedication, and hard work that is involved but as a sophomore in high school, it has taught me so much more about prioritizing, follow thru, and communication. In the state of Texas, if you actively show livestock…that means you miss a lot of school. The only way to keep everybody happy is to keep your teachers clued in on your schedule through good communication, do what you say you are going to do and complete the tasks that are asked of you. I can’t do it all so it’s important to prioritize things or activities that mean the most. I’m always trying to find a good balance and it’s not always easy.
SCO: If you could tell a junior just starting out one thing what would you tell them?
MASON: Just keep working – Get up and rinse your steer even when you’d rather stay in bed on that cold January morning. Be a good sport – Go shake the hand of your fellow competitor and congratulate them on their wins. Most importantly, say thank you and mean it. Thank everyone that has helped you along the way whether it’s an ag teacher, 4-H agent, parent, neighbor, whoever because there is no way to do this and be successful without help from those who genuinely take an interest in you.
SCO: What is one thing your family hasn’t accomplished but you still dream of doing?
MASON: My goal is for one of us to have Champion American at the Fort Worth Stock Show. That is not an easy deal at all, but it’s always been on our radar, and we consider that a family goal for sure.
SCO: Talk about your family’s operation and how much raising livestock means to you?
MASON: My family lives on a ranch in Central Texas. We raise commercial Brangus cattle, and we also have a herd of Registered Charolais and Registered Miniature Herefords. We also have a club calf cow herd and show both steers and heifers on a state and national level. A majority of the steers we show are American influenced. We sell cattle private treaty and have SC online sales several times throughout the year. Showing livestock is something that I’ve done since I was just three years old. A little Miniature Hereford Steer named “Regis” started me off in the show ring and well, the rest is history. I’m a fifth-generation cattleman and raising and showing cattle is our way of life.
SCO: You have siblings that show, what’s one thing you’re proud of them for?
MASON: I’m proud of them for working as a team. When you are one of three kids showing and you have as many steers on feed as we do it’s not easy. Then add different activities and different schedules for different times of the year, it’s hard to divide barn responsibilities evenly all the time. Of course, we sometimes bicker about who works harder than who, who deserves the better steer, who spends more time on the wash rack, you know the typical fights. But at the end of the day, at our barn, it’s all hands-on deck because after all, we’re all on the same team.
SCO: What is something you like to do outside of showing?
MASON: I love to hunt & fish! Our ranch is the go-to place for all my friends to hangout because when the work is done, we spend the night driving around shooting wild hogs and that is pretty fun!
SCO: You get one superpower, what is it and why?
MASON: To see in the future. If I could do that, I’d know how things would turn out down the road and in turn, that would save a lot of time and money. Yeah, that would be pretty neat!
SCO: If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why?
MASON: I’d really love to meet and sit down to visit with my Uncle Shawn Cross. He was my mom’s older brother and passed away in 1996. That was long before my time, but I’ve heard that I’d really enjoy him. Our love for showing cattle, fitting, and fishing were just a few things we had in common. When we go to shows today, I still hear people talk about him and share some pretty cool stories.
SCO: Which Texas Major is your favorite?
MASON: Well, I’ve got lots of good memories at every major in Texas but, I would have to say my favorite would be Houston. I love the weather, the facility, the town, and the whole vibe of the Houston Livestock Show. That and the fact that I have had five consecutive champion or reserve breed American steers there so far in my show career is pretty cool too and something that not many get to experience. So, I’d say it’s definitely my favorite.
SCO: You have a million dollars to donate to charity, who are you giving it to?
MASON: That’s an easy one, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. When my little brother was six, he had an accident/illness where he was hospitalized for almost two months. The Ronald McDonald House was my family’s second home during the stay. I can’t explain the pressure and burden it took off my parents during Shawn’s long road to recovery. It’s a great organization that will always hold a special place in my family’s heart.
The world needs more great young people like you, Mason. The SCO Family is cheering you on in all that you do!
