The National Cattlemen's Beef Association tells the beef production story best by saying:
"Did you know that the United States is home to approximately 800,000 cattle producers? These men and women work hard every day — with a focus on issues like animal health and welfare, the environment and food safety — in order to produce safe, wholesome and tasty beef products for consumers across this country and around the world.
Many of these folks operate farms and ranches that have been in their family for generations and they hope their children will continue the tradition. This, and many other little-known facts about cattle and beef production, shape who we are — people who are connected by the beef production chain and a passion for producing the great beef products consumers demand."
Every cattlemen is connected to each other by this passion for agriculture, but each has a unique, individual story that sets us all apart. Here is my story in the beginning years.......
My family is in the business of selling bulls for seedstock. I grew up listening to my dad give sales pitches and helping our customers select the perfect bull for their operations. In turn, I helped my dad sort bulls for the buyer to view. Through all this, my bulls became my best friends. I named each one, and I would go visit them after school just to let them sniff my hand and lick my coat. I knew that my family needed to sell bulls for income, yet everytime someone would come to pick up a bull, I would secretly hope it wouldn't be one of my closest pals.
As I grew older, my parents got me involved in showing cattle. We took our bulls to shows and sales. My first bull was Jack. We were best buddies. He was to sell at the Black Hills Stock Show. Everynight, my dad and I would work on our show bulls to prepare them for their big day. At the sale, Jack was sold to a farm in Wyoming. I was so excited. The man seemed very nice, and I knew he would go to a nice home. Then it hit me: I would never see Jack again!
These lessons of getting close to my cattle and having to let go are so very important. They helped to shape me into who I am today. These sacrifices taught me to love fully and live for today. In the cattle business, producers put work, sweat, and tears into their business. Farm kids learn at a very young age how much work it actually takes to succeed. Living on a farm is a a very special way to grow up. Stay tuned for more on my beef production story!
| Permalink| 
