From the Jersey Desk

Michigan Jersey Cattle Club

I recently was on a tour... okay, it was a brewery tour. But one thing caught my attention during that tour and it wasn’t the beer. It was simply how the tour guides talked about the company and the products that they make. You could hear the pride in their voice as they referred to everything using “we” or “our”. As they told the story of the founding years, I struggled to decipher if they were the owners or simply employees that love what they do.

It made me think, as we look around our farms do our employees convey pride in our farm with everyone they meet and everything they do. Do WE, the owners, exhibit true pride? It’s easy this time of year to be immersed in the mundane daily chores, 4th cutting hay, chopping silage, fall harvest…the days seem long and we are just focused on getting through the moment.

Pride is one of the things that makes going to and participating in cow shows so much fun. We get a chance to escape from the monotony and showcase our farm and cattle that we’ve worked so hard to develop. And this summer, if you got a minute to watch the All-Michigan Jersey show you couldn’t help but notice the pride, especially from our young show-men and -women. The next generation was well represented during our show and took home many of the All-Michigan Jersey banners. For me, I enjoy passing that passion on to the next generations and watch the pride as they walk out of the ring with their ribbons and banners.

As Michigan Jersey breeders, how are we creating opportunities for our next generation to have that prideful moment especially at the end of a jersey halter? How can the Michigan Jersey Cattle Club help with this mission to ignite the next generation?

It’s our job as owners and breeders to help create that pride whether it’s on the farm, at shows, or for the next generation. So this fall, as you’re immersed in every day chaos, take pride in what you’re doing and empower your employees to feel and show the same pride. If you’re visiting any of the national shows, admire not only the cows but the pride that the exhibitors have taken in their stalls and farm displays. If you’re exhibiting cattle on the national circuit, best of luck and be sure to let your pride shine brightly.

Beth Rupprecht

President MJCC 989-640-6913