My 365 Day Job

Ever since I've lived on a farm, everyday is a day of work for me. Early mornings and late nights have been no new news to me. Getting up at the break of dawn almost every day of my life to feed calves is a joy to me. I wouldn't trade seeing the beautiful faces of my cows every morning for anything. 

Even though working with calves is a lot of hard work, it is definitely what makes me the most happy. Rinsing all my show calves, feeding them, working their hair, blow drying them, and then clipping them everyday, twice a day is a tedious task, but it is my life. It is what I do. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

From the day the babies on my farm are born, to the day that they go to the sale barn or the slaughter house, I give them some sort of attention. Whether it be a simple look to make sure that everything is okay, to a wash, a dry, a clip, and a feeding twice a day, every cow, calf, bull, steer, and heifer gets some attention. This is a timely and laborious task, but it is something that needs to be done in order for the farm to be healthy and running smoothly. 

Controversy

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/04/what-the-explaining-exactly-how-the-beef-recall-became-a-hot-political-issue/

Controversy in the cattle industry? Yes it is possible. And this particular one affects everyone who has any interaction with beef cattle; more specifically, what they produce. 

E. Coli had been an issue around the world for around 30 years, and continues to be an issue today. E. coli is a bacteria that lives in the stomachs of humans and cattle. It is potentially harmless, unless certain types of E. coli enter ones systems. These types can make one very sick and could eventually kill ones kidneys. One can simply be infected by E. coli by eating beef that has the bacteria in it or drinking water that has been infected with bovine feces. 

In this article, a plant in Canada had an e. coli infection in it's beef in September. The plant had to recall all of the meat that they knew was infected with the bacteria and all that went through the plant after since it was in the machines being used. They then had to disinfect all their equipment and sterilize everything. 

The real controversy is that the plant did not report the infection right away. U.S. and Canadian packing plants are also complaining about over inspection and inspection too often since it slows down production. But, these inspections need to happen since the E. coli bacteria can cause sickness and death. As one can see, it is the difference between making money and losing money because of being sued. 

Cattle Sales

This past weekend, I spent quite a bit of time at some cattle sales. Cattle sales, or livestock auctions, are really just something else. These sales are the beginning of a showing season and the main social attractions to those in the cattle industry. There are bargains, sales, politics, and simple friendships that are made at these events. 

Cattle sales bring forth a plethora of politics for the industry. From bidding wars to behind the backdrop sales, there is always controversy about who bought what and who should have bought what at particular prices and so on. Most people walk away from an auction happy, but there are many that have smoke steaming out their ears. 

My favorite part about cattle sales is getting to see all my friends and many of my mentors. We all simply get to look at who is buying what and talk about cattle for a day. We analyze every lot being sold and pick what ones we might buy that day or what we would put on our dream list. It is simply a wonderful social event where some people strike it rich or come out empty handed. 

Beef Cattle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onITAppbWyE

I watched this documentary to try and find some opinions about what to feed cattle. Right away, the farmer talks about what he puts into his feed. He uses a nutritionist to evaluate what his cattle need. The nutritionist, like any good nutritionist, has told him that he needs to gives his cattle a lot of protein in order to build muscles and bones used for carrying a fetus during pregnancy or for providing meat to the country. The farmer was also told to use plenty of grains, grasses, and forages needed to give the cattle nutrition for growing and maintaing and healthy body in his feed. 

Personally, I would agree with what the nutritionist is saying. Would I use a nutritionist? No. Why? They are costly and they are often unnecessary for the amount of cattle that I plan to be dealing with. They are used mostly for very large dairy farms and feeder calf lots. In regards to what he is feeding them, proteins are key. Cattle need to have the muscle to help them do their  jobs as either a feeder going to become meat, or a cow being used to produce calves.

The other part about the video is about cattle management and how one must be careful about checking each calf to make sure that they are healthy and gaining weight. One must also make sure that all calves are properly being fed and watered.

On my farm, I am very particular about each calf on my property. They are treated like royalty. It is rare to have an unhealthy calf on my lot. I know that they best way to do well in the cattle business is to have a healthy herd and good management. 

5 am Chores

Call me crazy, but getting up at 5am to feed my cattle is one of my favorite things to do. Yes its earlier than many of you have ever gotten up and sometimes can be the time that a few of you go to bed, but I wouldn't trade those early mornings for anything. Getting up at the crack of dawn and getting to see the sunrise as your cattle come running with joy at you because they know you are about to feed them, is probably one of the most humbling experiences in the world. These creatures are so dependent on me for food and for care that they come running, yes cows can run, at the wee hours of the morning just for some grain. It's amazing. Often times, my cattle with nudge me with their noses in the hopes that I have some food on me. What a blessing. 

Talks With Dad

It is often that you will catch me on the phone or in a conversation with my dad. Our conversations are not like many others. Most talk about school, the future, or sports even. Not for me. When my dad and I talk, we talk about cattle.

My dad is the smartest man I know. He has taught me everything I need to know about cattle. When it comes to thinking about what I'm going to do with my life, my dad has all the answers. He's been doing this cattle with me ever since we started thirteen years ago, but he has all the "ins" with everyone in the cattle industry. He knows all the little perks about raising calves and what calves to choose from. He knows what is best to feed them and at what times it is best to feed them certain hings. My dad is a genius to me.

Ever since I can remember, I've been out there helping my dad on the farm. Whether it be holding a light, bringing him water, or handing him a wrench, I've been there right by him learning anything and everything I can about what it takes to run a farm or fix this thing or do that thing. Without my dad, I wouldn't know what to do when the waterer or the tractor breaks. Without him, I wouldn't have had such a passion for showing and raising cattle.

Ethics

https://www.msu.edu/~bbclub/index.htm

As being a member of the MSU Block and Bridle Club, I have stumbled upon what their ethics might be. On the home page for the group, I found this:

"The B&B Club at MSU strives to provide members an opportunity to promote agriculture and forge new relationships through multiple livestock, social and community service events."

I think that this is a very ethical statement in that it states the words "opportunity and relationship". The club clearly sees that being involved and having the chance to be involved in as many things as possible in order to broaden ones horizon is crucial to learning and a helpful tool in life. They also seek to make relationships between others that have the same interests which is something that I take very seriously. 

In comparison to my own beliefs, I agree completely with taking up opportunities and being given the chance to enhance ones knowledge and experience with something that they are passionate about. I also believe that some of the best relationships and friendships that I have made have been within the showing aspect of my life. Some friendships are the best with those that have the same interests as you. 

Throughout college, I am trying to find things that will help me when I start my career as a cattle jock. Becoming part of this club will be very helpful since I will have more experience with people, planning, and my knowledge will increase about livestock. I also am taking many Animal Science classes which not only enhance my knowledge of the animals, but what I know about what is happening in agricultural current events. I also am taking many Agribusiness classes which will help me manage my farm. Besides school, I am continuing to show throughout the country and am using my position as a National Junior Hereford Association Director to extend my knowledge about agriculture and the industry.