Can-Do Cowkids

Can-Do

COWKIDS

Amanda Radke

Illustrated by Michelle Weber Published by the Georgia Beef Board

• Can-Do •

COWKIDS Amanda Radke

Illustrated by Michelle Weber Published by the Georgia Beef Board

Published works copyright © Georgia Beef Board Text copyright © Amanda Radke Illustrations copyright © Michelle Weber ISBN: 9781798208823 Published by the Georgia Beef Board, Macon, Ga. All rights reserved.

Book design by Tracy McMurphy | Edited by Patsie T. Cannon Produced by Kaytlyn Malia on behalf of the Georgia Beef Board

This book was produced and published by the Georgia Beef Board, Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Beef and the Beef Checkoff with support from the Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture.

To my Can-Do Cowkids — Scarlett, Thorne and Croix.

Work hard, dream big and never give up!

- Amanda Radke To my sweet babes — love always.

- Michelle Weber To Georgia’s cattle producers — your hard work and dedication to our industry is what makes beef such a high quality and desirable product. Thank you for making this book possible and for helping us impact the next generation!

- Kaytlyn Malia, Georgia Beef Board Director of Industry Information and Public Relations

Howdy!

My name is Cassidy, and this is my brother Cody.

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

Our family lives on a cattle farm, and today our mom and dad woke us up bright and early to go check our cattle in the pastures. Even our baby brother gets to tag along! It’s going to be so much fun!

Would you like to come with us and learn how to be a Can-Do Cowkid, too?

You bet!

So you might be wondering, what’s a Can-Do Cowkid anyway?

A Can-Do Cowkid never gives up, no matter what. We may be small, but Can-Do Cowkids have big dreams.

With hard work and a positive attitude, we believe we can do anything!

We are proud as punch to be Can-Do Cowkids, and now it’s time to start your training to become one, too!

If you are ready for an adventure, give us a big and loud, “Yeehaw!”

Yeehaw!

A big storm passed through the farm last night, so there are plenty of chores to do around here.

Can-Do Cowkids are always ready to tackle tough jobs! We will show you the Can-Do Cowkid way!

If you’re ready, just slip on some boots and slap on a hat.

Let’s get to work!

To kick off your Can-Do Cowkid training, Mom and Dad have a list of jobs for us to do on the farm. Farmers and ranchers are responsible for taking care of the land and the farm animals.

Today we are going to help our mom and dad do just that! Our parents always remind us that when we grow up, we could become farmers and ranchers just like them.

And we always say, “Of course, we can!�

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

The first thing we need to do is help our parents check to make sure our cattle are safe and sound after last night’s big thunderstorm.

Dad says, “It rained cats and dogs,” which I think is a funny way of saying the farm got lots of rain!

Beef cattle producers must work in all types of weather — rain storms, blizzards and even hurricanes! It’s our responsibility to keep our livestock happy and healthy, even when it’s not very nice outside!

Now that the storm has passed, we need to look over the cattle, fences, crops and trees and take care of any problems that might have blown in with the storm.

But first, before we do all that, let’s splash in the mud puddles!

Just a quick jump or two, okay, Mom and Dad?

Stomp! Splash! Stomp!

Boy, jumping in the mud was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? The ride out to the pasture was beautiful, too! We are pretty lucky to get to spend the day outside on the farm, don’t you think? Now let’s see how the cattle are doing after the storm.

Cassidy, the calves are sure looking big, aren’t they? Soon, a trucker will haul the calves to town in a big rig to sell at the livestock market. An auctioneer will take bids from cattle buyers, and the highest bidder will purchase the calves. These calves will get a new home with a stocker or a feeder who will feed them grass, hay and corn as they grow.

Cody, when we grow up, maybe we could become truckers, auctioneers, cattle buyers, stockers or feeders.

You bet we can, Cassidy!

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

Hey, Cody, check out the fields over there! Look how fluffy the cotton is and how big the ears of corn are! Soon the crops will be ready to harvest.

In the fall, producers gather forages to feed their cattle throughout the year. An agronomist selects seeds that will grow well in our soil, and a nutritionist plans a healthy diet for our cattle using these crops. Both agronomists and nutritionists rely on their math skills to calculate the correct number of seeds for the field and the pounds of feed for the cattle.

Cassidy, how cool would it be to become an agronomist or nutritionist?

Do you think we could do it?

You bet we can, Cody!

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

Hey, Cassidy! Do you hear that? The cows are sure making a ruckus!

Mooooooo!

I wonder what’s the matter! Let’s help Mom and Dad count the mama cows and their babies.

Oh no! It looks like we are missing a few calves! What should we do?

What would a Can-Do Cowkid do?

Look over there! I found the calves, Cody! They are in the cornfield! I bet they couldn’t resist the delicious, golden kernels of corn! I wonder how they got in the field though?

Well, Cassidy, our fences are strong, and there’s plenty of grass out here to eat.

To keep the animals safe and the crops from getting trampled, our cattle need to stay in the pasture where they belong.

Don’t worry, Mom and Dad! We will figure out how the calves got into the cornfield! Will you help us, too?

This will be your first task in your Can-Do Cowkid training course!

How do you think the cattle got out?

Let’s look for some clues!

How about the gate? Did we forget to close it, Cody?

No, the chain is latched, and the gate is locked up tight, Cassidy.

Well, that means they didn’t get out through here. How else do you think they got into the cornfield?

Think. Think. Think.

Let’s check the fence next. Did the wire break somewhere? I’m not sure, Cody. We better walk along the fence and check things out.

Cassidy, what if the cows were trying to jump over the moon, and they managed to jump over the fence instead?

No, that’s silly, isn’t it? What else could it be?

Do you have any ideas?

Cody, look over there! A tree branch fell and pushed the fence down. I bet the wind knocked it over in the storm. The cattle must have walked right through the opening to get to the corn.

How do we get them back in? Our parents say this is a big job, and it will take teamwork to round the calves up again. Will you help us, too? It may not be easy, but a bunch of Can-Do Cowkids like us can do it!

Giddy up! Let’s go!

Well, it took a few tries to gather the missing calves, but they are finally back in the pasture with their mothers and are happily munching on the green grass once again. I knew we could do it!

Good work, Can-Do Cowkids!

Now that the cowherd is back together again, we notice a few of the calves have runny noses. As summer fades to fall and the air gets cool and crisp, sometimes cattle can get the sniffles just like kids do!

When a calf is sick, we call our cow doctor — a veterinarian — who helps us make the calves feel better. Plus, with regular herd checkups with our veterinarian, we keep our cattle happy and healthy all year long!

Cody, I bet we could become veterinarians one day, too.

We absolutely can, Cassidy!

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

Now that we have identified the problems, let’s work on the solutions. Mom is going to call our veterinarian to schedule a checkup for the calves. Dad is going to haul away the big tree branch and patch up the fence to keep the cattle safe in the pasture.

Of course, we will supervise to make sure the job gets done just right.

With a little teamwork, this won’t be hard at all!

One, two, three, four and five wires strung. We are done.

Hurray!

Now that the fence is fixed, Dad points to the grass. It’s still dewy from the rain. He tells us to look a little bit closer.

What do you see, Cassidy?

I see different types of grasses and pretty wildflowers, too. Dad says to part the grass and look below. What’s down there?

There’s so much life in the grass, Cody. Our pastures are home to earthworms, bees, ants, butterflies and tiny bugs. Mice, rabbits, deer and foxes live here, too. Mom says that’s a great sign of a healthy landscape.

Cattle grazing promotes new grass to grow, which helps both wildlife and livestock thrive!

Wow! Cows are amazing!

With the help of conservationists, farmers manage their pastures and fields to promote healthy soil to grow food for us to eat! Thanks to research from agricultural scientists, we know exactly how to care for our land to benefit the world now and 100 years from now!

By using our land, water and natural resources wisely, farmers can protect the planet and nourish hungry people, too!

Cassidy, maybe when we grow up, we could become agricultural scientists or conservationists!

Of course we can, Cody!

We are Can-Do Cowkids!

Boy, this family ride through the pasture turned out to be a really fun adventure, don’t you think? We are sure glad you came along to help us out!

I don’t know about you, but Cassidy and I are getting pretty hungry after our big day on the farm!

Let’s head back to the farmhouse and make some delicious and healthy beef pizzas for supper! Would you like to join us? The food is great and the company is even better!

Let’s eat!

Now that supper is done and the dishes are washed, it’s time to get ready for bed and hit the hay!

Looking back on our fun day on the farm, it was sure a busy day, wasn’t it? We moved the missing calves back into the pasture. We hauled away the fallen tree branch and patched up the fence, too. We even scheduled an appointment with our veterinarian who will help keep our herd healthy.

Mom and Dad are so proud of all the hard work we did today. Your Can-Do Cowkid training is now complete!

Congratulations!

Now that you are Can-Do Cowkids just like us, we can achieve all of our goals if we set our minds to it!

There are so many fun and exciting beef careers to explore.

Someday, we could all become farmers, ranchers, truckers, auctioneers, cattle buyers, stockers, feeders, agronomists, veterinarians, agricultural scientists, conservationists and so much more!

And all we need to succeed is a Can-Do Cowkid attitude! Work hard, dream big and never give up! The possibilities are endless, so choose the path that makes you happy and go for it!

Anything is possible, and you know why?

Because we are Can-Do Cowkids.

That’s why!

Glossary

Can-Do Cowkid — A cowboy or cowgirl who works hard, dreams big and never gives up!

Cattle — A group of cows, also called a “cow herd.”

Calves — Baby cows who typically nurse their mothers for the first six months of their lives.

Pasture — Rolling hills of grass, land which is often unsuitable for modernizing or farming, where cattle graze on a variety of plants during the growing season.

Crops — Plants grown from seed and used to make food and fiber. Examples include corn, cotton, wheat, soybeans, sunflowers and oats.

Trucker — A person who drives a semi-truck (or “big rig”) and provides safe transportation for hauling cattle.

Livestock Market — Also referred to as an “auction barn” or “sale barn,” this is a place of business where people sell cattle to public bidders.

Auctioneer — A person who conducts a sale with fast-paced chants, accepts bids from buyers and declares a final purchase with the tap of a gavel.

Cattle Buyer — A person who works on behalf of cattle producers to negotiate trades and make purchases at the livestock auction market.

Stocker — A person, also commonly referred to as a “backgrounder,” who purchases weaned calves to graze on pasture before moving them to the finishing phase at the feedlot.

Feeder — A person who manages a feedlot where cattle are fed a balanced ration of corn, hay and other feedstuffs to help them grow.

Harvest — In the fall, a machine called a “combine” cuts, threshes and collects crops.

Forages — Food (or “feedstuffs”) for animals to eat.

Agronomist — A person who specializes in field crop production and soil management.

Nutritionist — A person who specializes in animal nutrition and helps create feed rations to meet the dietary needs of cattle.

Soil — The upper layer of earth (dirt) in which plants grow that consists of a mixture of organic remains, clay and rock particles.

Veterinarian — A person who specializes in animal health and wellness. A veterinarian is qualified to prevent disease and treat illnesses in pets and livestock.

Conservationist — A person who specializes in the preservation of the environment and wildlife and the delicate balance of the ecosystem in utilizing natural resources to produce food, energy and fiber for people.

Agricultural Scientist — A person who specializes in various aspects of food production including conservation, environmental science, food science, nutrition, health, livestock handling and animal welfare.

Natural Resources — Materials such as minerals, forests, water and fertile land found in nature.

Ecosystem — A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Career — An occupation that progresses with training and work experiences.

Can-Do Cowkid Beef Pizzas Recipe adapted from Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

These mini beef pizzas are fun, quick to prepare and easy to personalize.

With the supervision of an adult, these Can-Do Cowkid Beef Pizzas are a big hit with kids!

30 MINUTES | 4 SERVINGS | 424 CALORIES | 33G PROTEIN Ingredients:

Instructions:

Italian-style beef sausage

1. Combine ground beef and seasoning in

•

1 pound ground beef

a large bowl. Heat a large nonstick skillet

•

1 teaspoon fennel seed

over medium heat until hot. Add sausage

•

1/2 teaspoon salt

mixture; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking

•

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

into crumbles and stirring occasionally.

•

1/4 teaspoon paprika

•

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2. Place sandwich thins, cut sides up,

•

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

on the rack of a broiler pan. Spoon equal amounts of sausage mixture on each bread

Additional Ingredients

half. Evenly sprinkle cheese and toppings,

•

1 1/2 cups pizza sauce

as desired.

•

4 round thin sandwich breads split in half (English muffins work great!)

3. Place pizzas on rack of broiler pan so the

•

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

surface of cheese is 3 to 4 inches from heat.

•

Optional toppings: sliced peppers,

Broil pizzas 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese is

olives, red onions, pepperoni

melted and bubbly.

Meet the Georgia Beef Board

The Georgia Beef Board’s mission is to maintain and build demand for beef and beef products within Georgia by enhancing beef’s image and satisfying the consumer’s needs and wants through an integrated state and national promotion, consumer information, research, producer communication and industry information program.

Funded by the Beef Checkoff, the Georgia Beef Board represents Georgia’s 15,000 beef cattle producers who are raising safe, wholesome and nutritious beef products we love!

“Can-Do Cowkids” is a project of the Georgia Beef Board and the Beef Checkoff. Supplemental materials and lesson plans for “Can-Do Cowkids” can be found at www.georgiabeef.org.

Meet the Author

Amanda Radke is an agricultural writer, speaker and beef producer who is passionate about promoting agricultural literacy and sharing the joys and challenges of farm and ranch life with young readers. Her debut children’s book, “Levi’s Lost Calf,” released in 2011.

A lifelong industry advocate, Amanda is a blogger for the cattle trade publication, BEEF. Every Monday through Thursday, readers can tune into the BEEF Daily blog at www.beefmagazine.com.

Amanda and her husband Tyler raise Limousin cattle with their three children, Scarlett, Thorne and Croix, on their family ranch near Mitchell, S.D. Amanda enjoys reading books, grilling steaks and making memories on the farm.

“Can-Do Cowkids” was inspired

by Amanda’s three rambunctious cowkids and their life on their family’s cattle ranch.

WWW.AMANDARADKE.COM

Meet the Illustrator

Michelle Weber is a western artist and owner of Michelle Weber Studio. Painting on canvas, Michelle captures farm and ranch life to create unforgettable works of art.

She, and her husband Jesse, raise Red Angus cattle and their four children, Wacey, Reese, Andi and Mick, on their family ranch near Lake Benton, Minn.

Her portfolio includes working with a multitude of industry leading businesses, organizations and cattle breed associations. This is Michelle’s fourth children’s book, including illustrating “Levi’s Lost Calf”. She has also begun writing and illustrating her own line of ranch-themed children’s books, “Harvey - A Ranch Birthday” and “The Ranch Christmas Surprise.”

WWW.MICHELLEWEBERSTUDIO.COM

Howdy!

Howdy from a Georgia cattle farm! A big storm passed through the ranch last night, and Can-Do Cowkids Cody and Cassidy are looking for some help to make sure the cattle are safe and sound! Join them on an adventure as they explore the farm and discover new and exciting agricultural careers along the way!

Yeehaw!