TGS | The Grind to Greatness

“It’s the thought of, ‘Wow, I did that!,’ that is so special – I don’t know if there’s any greater feeling.”

This is the sentiment that drives Okarche sophomore, Kade Henrichs, each and every day.

Having grown up in agriculture and livestock industries, Henrichs is all too familiar with beef cattle and has cultivated a passion for creating and exhibiting quality show stock on his family’s commercial and registered cattle operation, JH Cattle Company.

What started with peewee showmanship and following in his older brothers’ footsteps is now a burning desire to further heighten his passion for the cattle industry, specifically bred and owned cattle, Henrichs said.

“I really enjoy the busyness of farm life and doing it all alongside my family, learning from them,” Henrichs said. “There’s just nothing like working together and being rewarded by getting to watch firsthand the journey of a baby calf growing into a quality show heifer or cow down the road.”

While his joy for showing and breeding cattle is strong, it did not just come out of the blue. Henrichs said he spent years watching his brothers in coveted showrings and spent ample hours in the feed truck with his parents while patiently waiting for his turn to “try this whole thing out.”

Now, more than a decade later on his own journey, Henrichs said he has certainly “caught the bug,” he said, and spends nearly every moment he’s not in the classroom or in the ag building tending to his cowherd, which primarily focuses on raising commercial and registered Angus, Simmental and Red Angus cattle.

His day starts with an early wake-up call and trip to the barn before setting off to school. After that last bell rings, it’s gameon checking heifers, rinsing projects, working hair, and completing other chores around the farm, Henrichs said.

Whereas most students might split time between extracurricular activities and showing livestock, Henrichs is solely focused on his cattle projects and involvement with his FFA chapter.

“The way of the world is changing, and this isn’t as popular as it used to be,” Henrichs said, gesturing toward his heifers. “It continues to become more competitive, so I know I must work harder to get my cattle looking good and in order to keep up with the improvements being made at an increasingly fast rate across the industry,” he added.

Aside from the dedication of his time, Henrichs said he’s also making an effort to expand his knowledge.

Whether it be shadowing those who have come before him, keeping up with where cattle genetics are headed, or creating opportunities to learn ways to improve his herd, Henrichs said he finds it key to not just stop after the showring – the ultimate goal is to make good quality cows for down the line.

Thinking to the future in regards to his herd, Henrichs said he hopes to continue flushing cows for embryos as a viable method to grow the show cattle he can choose from, to increase the registered herd.

In the ring, his most momentous, as well as largest ambition is to win the Oklahoma Youth Expo Bred & Owned Heifer show before his graduation, Henrichs said.

“It would just be so special to win with one you helped raise on such a large scale,” Henrichs said through a smile. “It is the greatest feeling, especially when you see it all pay off, whether that be winning or being proud of how you’ve done,” he added.

As he continues to make improvements in the barn and hit the road with his family traveling to different shows, Henrichs said he will continue working fervently toward his dreams and doing it alongside his community of friends and family who teach and inspire him every day.

After all, Henrichs says that, in his eyes, “The barn is the best place to be!"

Watch Kade's video here.