Our people: Junior livestock champ enjoys ranch life

When Isaac Corral sold his goat, Pancho, for $13,000 at the Curry County Fair Junior Livestock Sale last month, that was the top bid of the event.

With supporting add ons after the sale, Corral said he earned over $15,000.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the sale ring when Isaac went through. They knew how hard he worked and what he went through," Malia Blackburn said.

Blackburn is Corral's agriculture education teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor at Clovis High School.

With a crowd reaction like that, The News had to find out just who is Isaac Corral?

Q: Describe yourself in one word.

A: Dedicated.

I feel like when I really want to do something, I will do it, I want to complete the goal.

Q: What is your idea of a perfect day?

A: Going to work on a ranch where I can see a lot of animals all day.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I was born in the Chicago area, Kane County, Ill. We moved to Clovis when I was 1, so I grew up here.

Q: You have relatives in Durango, Mexico. Have you been there and what do you like about it?

A: My grandparents live there. I visited my grandparents in the summer of 2023.

I like it because I have animals there including a horse that I can ride anywhere.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have a mom, dad and three sisters. I'm the only boy.

My oldest sister, Rosaura, inspired me to get into Future Farmers of America. She said it was really fun and I could learn a lot of things.

I have two dogs, Pinto, a pit bull, and Dumbo, a mixed breed.

Q: Tell us about how you raised your goat, Pancho, and how you feel about getting the highest bid, $13,000, at the junior livestock sale.

A: When I was 6 years old, I was gifted two market goats for my birthday that I raised and sold to help my family.

When I got into FFA I wanted to show my goats.

So I worked all summer with my ag teachers to learn how to properly raise a show goat.

Getting the highest bid was shocking.

I'm very thankful for the people who bid on my goat.

The money I have raised will help me next year with new projects like a goat and a lamb, hopefully.

It also helps me with my future plans of going on to school after high school.

I don't know where I want to go yet, I just want to get an animal science degree.

And one more thing, I really want to thank my ag teachers, Malia Blackburn and Garrett Lee, for teaching me everything I needed to know about showing.

I also want to thank my friend who was in the goat barn with me, Raul Galaviz. He helped me a lot. He helped me and I helped him.

Q: What's your favorite TV show? What do you like about it?

A: My favorite TV show is "Yellowstone."

I like a lot of the ranching parts of it where they teach a lot of stuff about animals.

Q: What is your favorite song? Why?

A: "I Never Lie" by Zach Top. I like the rhythm, beat and lyrics.

Q: What's the best sandwich?

A: Torta Jamon: Toasted buns, cooked ham, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and avocado.

I like it made by my mom.

Q: Where do you like to vacation?

A: I've never been on an actual vacation.

I've been to Mexico to my grandparents.

I would like to go to someplace like Ruidoso, Wyoming, or Montana.

Q: Is there a dish someone in your family fixes that you absolutely love?

A: I like my mom's burritos, deshebrada burritos: Shredded meat, green chile, and mayonnaise.

Q: What do you envision your life being in 10 years?

A: I want to have graduated with an animal science degree and have started a family.

Q: What is your favorite saying, quote or Bible verse?

A: "Dios por delante: God first."