The Salt Lick City Cow Lick competition started as a joke and has now really taken off. Cows and other cattle are given salt blocks to lick. The resulting shapes are then displayed as sculptures and judged. Any traces of human DNA will lead to disqualification (no, really).
Since these mineral blocks are beneficial to the cows, the competition is a fun, but purposeful, event.
Implications - The competition states that if other wildlife lick the "range" blocks that will still be accepted. The licked salt blocks go on display at the Crossroads Art Center Baker City in Oregon, USA. The salt blocks actually look quite interesting and would definitely make for a unique home decoration.
Bovine Art Contests
The Salt Lick City Cow Lick Competition
Trend Themes
1. Bovine Art Contests - The rise of bovine art contests presents a niche opportunity for agriculturists and artists alike to showcase their talents and provide a platform for farmers to raise visibility and incomes for their livestock.
2. Salt Block Sculptures - The emergence of salt block sculptures can be capitalized on by artists to explore new mediums and tap into the growing interest in farm-to-table movements and animal welfare concerns.
3. Natural Art Forms - The trend toward natural art forms like those seen in the Salt Lick City Cow Lick Competition could inspire businesses to incorporate green initiatives and eco-friendly productions into their products and services.
Industry Implications
1. Agriculture - Bovine art contests offer a space for farmers to promote their livestock and potentially increase profits through showcasing and sale of unique, award-winning animals, as well as upcycling minerals into marketable sculptures.
2. Art - The trend toward animal-based sculptures made from natural resources like salt blocks presents artists with new opportunities to connect with audiences through experimentation and sustainable practices.
3. Eco-tourism - Natural art forms like those seen in the Salt Lick City Cow Lick Competition provide opportunities for eco-tourism industries to draw visitors interested in the intersection of art, nature and agriculture.