Youth Perspective: Beef Industry Issues
I spent the earlier part of the week at the 2009 American Jr. Simmental National Classic in Columbus, Indiana, where I gave the motivational welcome speech to start the festivities of a fun cattle event. For this keynote, I spoke to the young group about never abandoning their roots in agriculture, a mistake I made in early high school. Did you know that? Back then, I was absolutely ashamed to live on a cattle ranch, and I was convinced that I would not make a career in the agriculture industry. It’s funny how things change, isn’t it? In addition to speaking, I also judged the Public Speaking Contest, where more than 250 young people presented their ideas about the issues facing the beef industry today. Every week, BEEF Daily dives into some interesting dialogue about the challenges we face today, but it was an entirely different experience to hear about these challenges from a young person’s perspective.
Topics included: creating an enterprise budget for a cow/calf operation, eliminating animal stress during the winter months, understanding the female reproductive tract, dealing with calf scours, identifying poisonous plants in grazing systems, utilizing vaccines in animal health, selecting and culling females, preparing calves for the feedlot, using feed additives for optimal animal nutrition, conducting breeding soundness exams for herd bulls, combating the animal rights movement, eliminating difficulties during calving season and selecting the correct corral and squeeze chute designs for working cattle.
As these young kids tackled some heavy issues in the industry, I realized that these were some of the best and brightest that would carry on the traditions of beef cattle production. I felt so honored to be able to judge this competition and be a part of an exciting event for Simmental breeders. With kids like these in our industry, the future of agriculture certainly looks bright!
BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Unfortunately, vegetarians are three times more prevalent in today’s society than farmers and ranchers. (Source: Trent Loos in his speech at Illinois Beef Association’s Summer Conference)
What’s your favorite breed? What is the best cattle breed for today’s economic conditions? Answer those questions in the latest BEEF Daily Summer Sweepstakes!
July 1st, 2009 at 11:23 am
Thanks again to Jill Harker for inviting me out to speak at the Simmental Junior Nationals! It was a great event, and this gal worked incredibly hard to make it all happen. They say showing cattle is America’s greatest sport because the whole family can participate, and I couldn’t agree more! Thanks!
Amanda
July 1st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Amanda,
I have been reading your blog comments and goings on for a few months. I want to tell you Good Job, and keep it up. As I near retirement age in a career I sort of backed into after I finished college and the US Army, I can say that commodity trading, for domestic feed ingredients, has kept me close to agriculture, but not in the career I would have chosen had I had the opportunity, farming and ranching. As I look back to the 60’s and 70’s starting in this career, I could not have forseen my satisfaction with this career that I now enjoy. The economy comes and goes, but animals still have to eat!. The one regret that I have is that we did not have the internet back in those days. You’re showing us all how useful it can be in a chosen career field. Thanks!
July 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm and joined the Air Force to get off the farm. I retired 20 years later and bought 80 acres so I could get back into agriculture. I’m not milking cows, but I’m back in ag. What’s that they say about being able to take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy? Too true — ask my wife!
Arnie
MSgt BRENT L. ARNESON, USAF, Retired
OKC, OK
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