VIEW FROM THE BOARD
YOU CAN’T BE IN THE CATTLE BUSINESS WITHOUT THE COW by Klint Sickler, AGA President
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reetings from bi-polar western North Dakota. As I write this month’s article, it’s April 11 and we’re preparing for the biggest blizzard to hit the state since 1997. It’s almost funny how we can go from two years of unprecedented drought to 30 inches of heavy, wet snow in a matter of days. Thanks to advances in technology, we were able to be notified of this major storm before the system even moved off the Pacific Ocean, something our grandparents never had the luxury of experiencing. As we do our blizzard preparations, a majority of our focus is on our cowherd. More specifically, how do we make sure those newborn calves stay safe and the mama cows stay fed. We are fortunate to have windbreaks, barns, and shelters that we can get them into if needed. Even with all of these ‘luxuries’, the focus remains on the cows. They truly are the heart of our operations, and while we don’t hand out any “Employee of the Month” trophies
to those girls, it’s awful hard to be in the cattle business without any cattle! While this snow is going to make life difficult for a few days, this could really be a game changer for those of us in the Dakotas. This much needed moisture will give our pastures and hay ground a jump start going into spring and hopefully replenish our dugouts and rivers so those cows have a nice green home for the summer where they can thrive and focus on raising their calves. More importantly, it will bring a sense of optimism and hope back to our producers. There will certainly be some calves that are lost to this storm, and while that sense of loss can weigh on a person, it comes with the relief of knowing we may not have to sell off the entire cowherd. I realize that most of you will never deal with a situation like this, and I can’t imagine anyone is envious of those of us crazy enough to live in this part of the country. So what does this all mean for you? To me, it doesn’t matter where you
live, what you do, or how many head you run – it all starts with the cow! Whether you are preparing for a blizzard, working out pasture rotations and grazing plans, measuring your nutrient requirements for the upcoming year, or even working on your annual profit and loss – every one of these decisions starts with the cow. As we look weeks into the future, we’ll start looking at going to grass and determining which pairs will be sorted into which breeding pasture, we’ll make management decisions based on what is best for the land and the cattle, and we’ll get those females bred so they can come back and do it all over again next year. The only way our operation, and our way of life, is sustainable is if the cow does her part. No matter what the forecast, the markets, or mother nature may throw at us – sustainability and success truly starts with the cow. Here’s hoping that everyone gets some much needed moisture and has a wonderful spring season! F
“THE ONLY WAY OUR OPERATION, AND OUR WAY OF LIFE, IS SUSTAINABLE IS IF THE COW DOES HER PART. “ - Klint Sickler, AGA President
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2022 | 7
