Sharing a Passion for the Sheep Industry
MIAMI, OKLA. – For brothers Corbin and Cohen Brown, showing sheep has become more than a livestock project. It has become a shared passion that has taught them responsibility, hard work and the importance of supporting one another both inside and outside the show ring.
The Brown brothers, of Miami, Okla., in Ottawa County, grew up in a family with a background in agriculture. Their family has been involved in the agricultural industry for many years, primarily raising cattle. Eventually, however, sheep became the livestock project that brought the two brothers into the show ring.
Corbin Brown began showing sheep in 2021 at the age of 10. At the time, the family lived in Vinita and had limited space available at their home for a larger livestock project. Sheep became the right fit.
Brad and Cristin Bible of Vinita played an important role in helping Corbin get started. From selling him his first set of sheep to teaching him the ins and outs of the show ring, the couple helped him prepare for his journey in the sheep industry.
Cohen Brown followed in his older brother’s footsteps a few years later. He began showing sheep in 2025 at the age of 9.
Corbin has been there to help his younger brother along the way, assisting him with everything from feeding and exercising sheep to developing his showmanship skills.
Today, both brothers share the responsibilities that come with caring for their sheep projects. Their current sheep have come from Jake Dooley with Red Dirt Genetics and Bart Caldwell at NOC. While Corbin has raised his own show sheep for several years, the family’s busy schedule had led them to purchase more of their show prospects.
The brothers also have plans to continue growing their own flock, with Dorset and Dorset Advantage ewes expected to lamb in the spring.
Daily chores require teamwork and give each brother responsibilities of their own. Corbin has become the family’s “feed mixing master,” while Cohen is responsible for dumping and refilling water buckets and making sure they remain clean. Together, they ensure their sheep have plenty of hay and alfalfa.
Preparing the sheep for competition is also a team effort. Exercise can take several hours, and both brothers work together throughout the process. Cohen takes charge of making sure the sheep’s leg hair is washed, while Corbin dries and wraps their legs.
The work does not stop with feeding and exercising. The brothers learned that success in the show ring begins with consistent daily care.
“There is so much preparation that goes into getting all the sheep show ready it’s hard to put into words,” the family said. “It all comes down to your everyday care. You have to be consistent.”
Clean, fresh water, clean pens and quality feed are essential parts of their daily routine. The brothers also work on showmanship several times each week, learning the patience and practice required to work with sheep and enter the ring with confidence.
While showing livestock has given each brother individual accomplishments, sharing the experience as brothers has made the journey even more meaningful.
For Cohen, showing sheep alongside his older brother was what encouraged him to get involved in the first place.
“It feels good and he’s the reason I got into showing,” Cohen said.
Corbin described showing together as fun but admitted that a little sibling competition is also part of the experience.
The brothers have competed against one another in the show ring, making those moments especially memorable. Cohen enjoys seeing which lamb the judge prefers and knowing the competition reflects the work each brother has put into his project.
Corbin recalled the excitement of competing when it was just the two brothers in the ring.
“We knew we were both coming home with banners,” Corbin said.
Despite the friendly competition, the brothers continue helping one another improve. Cohen looks to Corbin for help with clipping, showmanship and the knowledge he has gained through several more years in the sheep industry. Corbin, meanwhile, continues helping Cohen learn the basics.
Each brother also recognized strengths in the other. Corbin noted that Cohen was often more focused in the show ring, while Cohen appreciated the experience his older brother brought to their projects.
Their time showing livestock together has taught them lessons that extended beyond ribbons and banners. Cohen said Corbin has taught him that hard work pays off, while Corbin learned to keep his head up when things did not go as planned.
Those lessons have become important as both brothers have experienced success and disappointment in the show ring.
Corbin’s accomplishments include Champion Round Robin Showmanship and the Hoss Rhoten Effort Award at Be A Champ Camp. The effort award was particularly meaningful to him because Be A Champ Camp is one of the largest show sheep camps in the country, and the award recognized the effort he put into learning and improving.
Cohen’s accomplishments include Champion Round Robin Showmanship and Reserve Supreme Champion breeding ewe. His Champion Round Robin Showmanship title is especially meaningful because of the hard work it took to learn how to show each species.
One of the family’s most memorable accomplishments came through a shared tradition of success at the Ottawa County Fair. Both brothers have earned Champion Round Robin Showmanship honors, although they won the title in different years.
The family’s most recent county fair was another memorable chapter in their journey. Corbin finished third overall in the market show, while Cohen finished sixth overall in the market show and exhibited the Reserve Supreme Champion breeding ewe.
More importantly, their family remembers how the brothers supported one another throughout the experience.
“They both showed their hearts out and were supporting each other along the way,” their family said.
Outside of the show ring, the brothers continue expanding their involvement in agriculture. Corbin is a member of the Afton FFA chapter and participates in activities including team creed, Greenhand Quiz, opening and closing ceremonies and agronomy. Cohen is a member of Afton 4-H and enjoys attending the club’s monthly meetings.
Both brothers have also started their own sheep herds, giving them opportunities to learn more about raising and improving livestock.
Corbin said one of his favorite parts of being involved in the livestock industry is learning about every part of a lamb and helping improve the sheep industry. Cohen enjoys showing his lambs and learning how to raise them.
Their parents have watched both boys grow through the responsibilities that come with raising livestock. From early mornings to long hours of daily care, their projects require commitment.
The brothers often get up at 5:30 a.m. to work their lambs before the heat of the day. Their schedules are planned around the needs of their livestock, reinforcing the idea that success requires consistent effort.
Their family has seen both boys learn responsibilities that many young people never experience.
“They both know, if they want to do their best, they have to give their best,” their family said.
As the brothers continue their journeys in agriculture, their accomplishments represent more than championships. The hours spent feeding, exercising, washing and preparing their sheep have taught them the value of hard work. Competition has taught them how to handle both winning and losing. Most importantly, sharing the experience has strengthened the bond between two brothers who continue to cheer for one another.
For their family, watching them work together remains one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
“Their hard work as a team is what makes me the most proud,” their family said. “Watching them both in the holding pens helping each other out is the best. Knowing that regardless of the outcome of the show, they are both coming home as winners.”
