The Link
I just want to say goodbye.
A good friend of mine leases pasture from an older couple who purchased the ground as an investment. The owners grew up in the city and wanted to slow down a bit. The owners’ family dinners and other events were hosted at their home with Angus cows and calves as the backdrop. Over the years the entire family has become more and more attached to the cattle and to the farmer.
Farmer Joe set up the portable corral a few months ago. It was weaning time, and he let the owner know he needed to move the group to his working facilities. Joe and his family took the trailer over after he got the animals in the corral that morning. When Joe showed up, sitting around the corral were the pasture owners, their kids and grandkids. They had come to say goodbye to their beloved extended cow family.
Joe was a bit shocked to see the entire family sitting around the corral. When he pulled up in the truck, he asked if something was wrong. The family replied they just wanted to say goodbye. Thinking this was going to be difficult and maybe a bit of a heartache, Joe went on to explain the calves needed to be separated from their mothers. The cows would go to a new pasture so this pasture could rest and have time to recuperate. The calves would have their preventative vaccinations, start a new ration, and go to a different location. The family said they were sad they wouldn’t be able to watch the cows out the back window now, but used the opportunity to learn that food just didn’t appear on the supermarket shelves.
We worry about being uncomfortable or about failing when we try something new. We push our kids to try new things and have new experiences. Why don’t we do that, too?
Joe was worried this was going to be an uncomfortable situation. Instead, it was a positive learning experience for everyone.
How many times have you thought, “I really need to do a better job marketing my feeder calves?” We worry about being uncomfortable or about failing when we try something new. We push our kids to try new things and have new experiences. Why don’t we do that, too?
Now is your time to try something new. While most people see an extra return for enrolling, we can’t predict the return on your enrollment investment. After all, if we could we’d have done a better job predicting the stock market, corn prices and interest rates.
Say “Hello” to enrolling in AngusLinkSM today. We have a cattle-friendly crew, so give us a call at 816-383-5100. We will talk to you about the extra return you might see on your check on sale day.
Editor’s note: Ginette Gottswiller is the director of verification services for the American Angus Association.
Angus Proud
In this Angus Proud series, Editorial Intern Jessica Wesson provides insights into how producers across the country use Angus genetics in their respective environments.
Angus Proud: Scott Sproul
Oklahoma operation learned wisdom of moving calving season to better suit their marketing needs.
Angus Proud: Bubba Crosby
Fall-calving Georgia herd uses quality and co-ops to market calves.
Angus Proud: Jim Moore
Arkansas operation retains ownership through feeding and values carcass data.
Angus Proud: Stephen Shiner
Idaho operation rotates pastures in summer and raises crops for winter.
Angus Proud: Brian Nusbaum
Angus cattle fit cattleman’s marketing goals and helped him set out on his own.
Angus Proud: Les Shaw
South Dakota operation manages winter with preparation and bull selection.
Angus Proud: Jeremy Stevens
Nebraska operation is self-sufficient for feedstuffs despite sandy soil.
Angus Proud: Dave Rutan
Angus breeder gets the most out of his bull investment by partnering with opposite calving-season operation.
Angus Proud: Nickey Smith
AngusLink helps Louisiana cattleman gain more for his calves.
