Have you ever thought about the definitive moment in life that solidified your passion for something? I was asked that question recently about the time in my life when I really found my passion for agriculture. What is passion anyway? According to Webster’s dictionary, passion can be defined as an intense, driving, empowering emotion towards something. For me, my passion rests in agriculture. As I think back to the many highlights of my childhood. There is one story that stirs strong emotions of intense passion and a drive to continue this love of agriculture. Let’s head back to 1994, and I’ll share my tale.
I was seven years old, and I loved living on a cattle ranch. There were so many adventures and explorations to conquer on a farm. I would climb hay bales, play with the barn cats, sing songs, tell stories, kiss the bulls, and chatter with my dad. Being outside meant fresh air and sunshine, livestock and my daddy, freedom and independence. I loved every minute of it.
In 1994, my grandpa had a bottle calf. He told me that if I fed that bottle calf every single day and raised it until he was big and strong, he would give me his very best open heifer. I had always wanted my very own heifer, so I took the deal. Everyday after that, I went outside with my bottle of milk and fed my baby calf. Once he was grown and weaned like all of the other calves, Grandpa gave me my first Limousin heifer, 510C. I named her Breanna. She was the greatest in my eyes!
Breanna later had her first calf, a bull. His name was Jack, and I was absolutely smitten with him. Luckily, Jack was good enough to sell at the Black Hills Stock Show. Everyday after school, I would help my dad work on Jack and another bull, Jake. As an independent little tyke, I insisted that I do everything with Jack. I fed him, brushed him, and led him around every night in the barn.
In February, my parents and I made the journey to the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota with our bulls, Jack and Jake. I felt like such a big kid. I was seven years old and going to sell my first bull at a real cattle show. I was so proud of Jack, and I couldn’t wait to lead him around in the ring to show him off.
Except, what I didn’t realize, was that I was only seven years old. In reality, this was my parents’ business, and I was just the little kid. My determination and independence didn’t understand this concept when my parents told me that they would show Jack in the show and sale. I could only watch. I was devastated, but looking back now, I can understand my parents’ wisdom.
As Jack led through the ring during the sale, I could hear the cries from the auction as the bids came in. The ring men raised their hands while the auctioneer sang his song as the bids climbed higher and higher. Finally, Jack sold. My parents were excited, and I was so proud of my little bull. Then it hit me: Jack was sold. He wouldn’t be coming home with me in the trailer. He wouldn’t be in the barn to play with when I got home. We wouldn’t run to the fence to sniff my hand or lick my coat. Jack would leave with a stranger from Wyoming, and I would never see him again.
As we said goodbye to Jack before leaving our adventure at the Black Hills Stock Show, I cried and gave my friend a big hug around his neck. My mom took a picture, and that picture shows a very, very sad little girl. The lesson I learned that day was that agriculture isn’t for the weak. It takes sacrifice and heart; it takes determination and dedication. Most of all, passion makes a true agriculturalist successful.
I realized my passion for the beef industry that day. Since that sad day in 1994, I have sold my fair share of bulls. I have learned that agriculture is a business; however, it is also a love affair. No one gets involved in agriculture purely for the profit. In my experience, most in agriculture continue this lifestyle because of their passion. Passion should be the driving force in anything we choose to do. What better passion can someone have then to work hard to feed and clothe the world? God bless the American farmer and rancher!
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