Emotional last day at the Mercedes Livestock Show and Rodeo

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sunday was the final, and perhaps most emotional day of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo for students competing in the livestock competition. Cattle release day is the culmination of all their hard work, and the time to say goodbye.

"I was crying on my way over here. I was crying last night. I’m actually about to start crying just thinking about it. I’m so sad. I didn’t want it to be this day,” said Camila Alvarado, who represented the San Benito FFA.

Alvarado spent the last year raising her lamb — 2025 was her second year competing. She said her lamb is very stubborn but, "I love him so much."

The San Benito FFA has had a big impact on her life, and future plans. Alvarado said she now plans to major in an agriculture related field when she gets to college. As much as she's gotten out of the experience, she said it didn't make the day any easier.

“It’s really heartbreaking, too. It’s like you’re betraying them, I guess. Like after all you’ve been through. Feeding them, watering them, working with them every day. Before school, after school. It’s just really sad,” Alvarado said.

Kaylee Canales represented Rio Hondo FFA during the livestock show. She credited her father, an agriculture teacher in San Benito, with helping her along her livestock journey. Canales raised both a Market Goat and Market Lamb, and has been raising animals since she was in third grade.

“I’ve fully had them for a year now, and departing from them is going to be a hard process. I feel pretty sad. It’s hard. I’ve bonded with them over this past year,” Canales said before leading her animals away to waiting trailers.

Canales said raising her animals taught her responsibility and patience. Those are some of the important life lessons students learn, said Julio Rodriguez. His son competed in this year's livestock show representing Rodriguez Elementary in Harlingen.

“It’s a very enjoyable experience for these kids. Even though you see a lot of crying kids this morning, I’m sure a lot of them will be back next year. While it will be emotional again for them next year, they fully understand that this is the end result,” Rodriguez said.