Balancing Stock Show Life, IVF to Adoption, & Ag Influence | Heather Welper
Building a Legacy in Agriculture on Your Own Terms
If you’ve spent any time in the stock show world, you’ve probably come across Heather Welper. Whether it’s her spot-on stock show fashion advice, her raw and real-life updates, or her impact on the industry through breeding and selling show cattle, she’s made a name for herself in a way that’s both inspiring and completely authentic. In this episode of The Next Generation Podcast, I sat down with Heather to talk about her journey in the stock show world, her social media presence, and her deeply personal experience with infertility and adoption. She’s built a life and career that intertwines so many aspects of agriculture, and she’s done it in a way that’s unapologetically her.
Heather’s start in agriculture looked like a lot of ours—showing livestock as a kid. She started out with pigs (which she quickly realized were not for her), then moved into goats, where she met her now-husband, Calvin. But it wasn’t until she was gifted a Red Angus heifer that everything changed. That single moment set her on the path she’s on today, running a successful cattle operation in North Texas with her husband, raising and selling high-quality show heifers. Along the way, she also built a massive social media presence, creating a space for young exhibitors who are trying to navigate the world of stock shows.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation was when we talked about the moment we both realized that once you age out of showing, no one really cares about your stock show accolades anymore. It’s a hard pill to swallow when you’ve spent years competing, traveling, and making a name for yourself in the junior livestock world, only to graduate and realize that the banners and buckles you worked so hard for don’t hold the same weight. That transition is tough. It leaves a lot of people in agriculture wondering, What’s next? Where do I fit now? Heather and I both had to navigate that, and we found different ways to make an impact beyond the show ring. For her, it was social media and being a resource for young showmen. For me, it was starting The Next Generation Podcast and continuing to advocate for the industry in a way that felt right.
“You don’t have to come from a big-name family—you can make your own mark in this industry.””
Heather never set out to be an “influencer.” In fact, she hates that term. But she’s always loved sharing her life, building connections, and offering the advice she wished she had when she was younger. What started as an outlet turned into a full-fledged platform, reaching thousands of people who connect with her authenticity. From stock show fashion to fitting tips to openly sharing the struggles of infertility and adoption, Heather has built a community of people who genuinely care about what she puts out there. That’s what makes her different—she’s not just posting for likes or free stuff. She’s using social media to educate, inspire, and connect.
One of the most powerful parts of this episode was hearing Heather talk about her infertility journey. Five years. Multiple miscarriages. Failed IVF treatments. The kind of heartbreak that feels never-ending. But through it all, she kept sharing her story, even when it hurt. Infertility isn’t something that’s talked about enough in agriculture, even though so many women in this industry experience it. She opened up about the isolation, the emotional toll, and the exhausting cycle of hope and disappointment. And then, when she had finally decided to step away from it all, adoption came into the picture.
She prayed that if adoption was meant to be part of her story, the right situation would have to fall into her lap. And it did. Now, she and Calvin are the proud parents of their son, Crew. It was one of those moments where you can look back and see that every painful step of the journey had led them to exactly where they were meant to be.
Heather is proof that success in agriculture—and in life—is rarely a straight path. It’s full of failures, pivots, and unexpected blessings. She shared how important it is to put yourself out there, take opportunities even when they don’t seem like the perfect fit, and trust that everything is leading you to where you’re supposed to be. It’s not about having the biggest name or coming from a long line of stock show legends. It’s about showing up, making connections, and finding your own way to leave a lasting impact.
If you haven’t already, go listen to my conversation with Heather. And if you’re not already following her, now is the time. She’s a wealth of knowledge, a bright light in this industry, and a true example of what it means to find your purpose.
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/heatherwelper
TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherwelper
