The evolution of a lifelong member

Igrew up on our feedlot in Burley, but my opportunity to come back to our family operation came in the form of managing the ranch. My first year ranching felt like a “standoff” of sorts with higher powers. “They” were telling me that I should have stayed in my previous career, so things started out really well. The water was record setting- which even in a good year means we are 28 days away from a drought where I live. The feed was good and we were putting up record yields of hay. As the year progressed, the good feed source

BY SPENCER BLACK ICA Vice President

ary, we had “Snow-pocalypse”. Every day consisted of plowing snow, strawing cattle, and warming up cold calves. Then came the floods and finding places on the ranch dry enough to feed on. Around this time came, I recall receiving the notice that our Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) membership had expired. As I went back and forth mentally, as to whether or not to renew, I called a neighbor that has been a member for as long as I can remember. His response to me was, “We are stronger together than apart”. With this sentiment in mind, I decided to renew our membership.

turned dry in time due to lack of rain. Two weeks after we moved our herd to the upper allotment, we had a lightning strike ignite the Grape Creek fire, which had previously not caught fire for over a hundred years, making it very fitting that it happened my first year on the job. The private ground still had ample feed to get us through fall, so the cows coming home early did not affect us much. To follow that up, as my first calf hit the ground in Janu-

Year 2 on the job, the water supply was great, as was the feed, and hay production. The higher powers were giving me a break. Due to the fire, the cows came home early again because the ground had to be rested. The private ground once again produced enough feed to get us through the fall and into winter. Then came the notice from the forest about quaking aspen trees on our other grazing allotment. The higher powers had struck again. The original plan was to control burn sub-alpine firs to stimulate the growth of the quaking aspens, so we would need to hold cattle off of these areas. At the same time we had a mild winter, as well as a dry spring, and I knew we would not have enough grazing to make it to winter. In our grazing association meeting as we discussed what we should do, I suggested we call ICA. With the support of the other permittees I reached out to Magic Valley Cattlemen’s Association and they put me in contact with Cameron at ICA. He was quick to respond and within 2 days, he came to meet with me at our local fair, where we went over the maps together. He also met with other grazing allotments that were affected by this project. Karen was also in attendance as we met with the Forest Service and discussed solutions that would help them accomplish their goals without impacting us. It was clear to me that she knew the lingo and had their respect. In the end, the Forest Service came up with a plan to help quaking aspen populations that resulted in minimal impact to the permittees.

This is a long story to explain why my membership is so important to me and our operation, but it is also why when I was asked to serve on the board, I accepted the request. When I talk to other producers and bring up ICA, the response I get most often is “I just don’t have time”. Most days I don’t feel like I have time either, but I’m not asking producers for their time. What I’m asking for is support. Membership is support in numbers for the leadership, board members, committees, and staff. As laborers are hard to come by, every operation is strapped for time, but as issues arise there is no need to feel alone. Membership gives the benefit of over 800 members’ support to get through these issues.

I am grateful for the support I have from family, friends, neighbors, and ICA members to continue serving the industry that I not only grew up around, but also the industry that I love. If questions arise for you or from other producers about benefits of membership or other issues you’re facing, my number is listed in the front!

BY MORGAN LUTGEN Director of Membership & Industry Engagement