5 minute read
Message from the Purebred Council
Beginning with the end in mind
Advice and reflections from a ‘wannabe cowboy’
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BY VAL CARTER Purebred Council Chair
One of my favorite parts of the Purebred business is having the opportunity to visit with cattle producers around the state. These operations vary in size from a dozen pasture cows to corporate ranches with several thousand mother cows. Most calve in the spring, some calve in the fall, and some calve all year round . Some producers run a straight bred herd while others cross breed and some patronize every breed. Every ranch is different in terms of their size, location and resources. They vary in available capital, labor, feed and grass. They are all vital to our industry and represent one sector of agriculture, the backbone of our rural communities. I love the good hard working people of agriculture who care for the land, look after their neighbors and feed a world that often criticizes their efforts and has a lack of appreciation for all they do. I have spent my entire life farming and ranching. With the exception of a couple of harvest jobs shortly after high school graduation, I’ve never worked for anyone but my banker. My wife and I and our family have relied on livestock as our main source of income since our marriage 38 years ago, shortly after my one semester of college. So as a disclaimer on any forthcoming advice, just know that this is coming from an under educated “wannabe cowboy” who gained most of his wisdom and experience from making lots of mistakes. Now the advice. As I reflect back on my time spent farming and ranching, if I could do it over again, I would have spent more time early on developing a vision of what I wanted to become and accomplish in the cattle industry and life, and make a concerted effort to prioritize those things and “begin with the end in mind.”
Unfortunately most of us have a banker so being profitable is of necessity usually near the top of our priority list; however, there are other decisions equally as important. The manner and integrity with which you conduct business is vital to your long term success. If you are always honest and fair with the people you do business with, you will gain a reputation of trust in those relationships and people will want to do business with you. If you purchase for less than fair value or misrepresent what you sell to get more than its value, you will have a short term gain but will lose much more over the course of time. I am probably preaching to the choir here, because in 30 years of selling Angus bulls we have never not been paid for a bull. I truly believe that many business opportunities are gained or lost simply because of the reputation you have created for yourself. As you come to see the vendors who provide you a service, and the customers who buy your products, as partners with whom you could not do without, you will come to appreciate them more and understand they are essential to your success. This is especially true of employees. If they are rewarded fairly for their contributions and treated with appreciation and
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For our family, the way of life and culture of ranching has been a high priority. Wealth and fortune will never replace the value of an environment where kids learn responsibility, work ethic, honor and integrity. When kids understand their contribution is vital to the family and ranch sustainability, they feel valued and needed more than a “make work” situation created for them. Sometimes the ranch work isn’t always done in the fastest most efficient manner, but it gets done and they develop a confidence and endearing memories of work and play. I can’t tell you how many times, as we’ve been getting grandkids mounted to gather cows, I’ve thought to myself, this isn’t easy country and it’s going to be a long day, these kids should not be going. Then the grand kid who began the day being led on a horse by a parent, gained their confidence and like sprouting wings was gleefully trotting all over the mountain on their own by the end of the day. I then remember how quickly our kids went from slowing us down to being essential to accomplishing the day’s work. Combined with faith, family and tradition, they come to know who they are and develop an identity that helps keep them grounded and close their entire life.
The culture surrounding ranching is unique. In many communities, branding time is an opportunity to trade work and gather as family, friends and neighbors to accomplish a vital task. It also provides an opportunity to visit, hone roping skills and merge work and recreation for a few hours. You don’t have to be a part of the cowboy culture to have a successful cattle operation. I’ve seen some very successful ranchers that didn’t rope and ride, but for our family it has been good for bonding and we have enjoyed the horsemanship, improving cattle handling skills, and the thrill of watching a young pup turn into a skilled working dog. Sometimes it just makes the hard days go by faster when you enjoy what you are doing.
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