Taking advantage of an opportunity has helped Austin Etcheson build

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College freshman Austin Etcheson began working for Steel Rain Irrigation at a young age, which has allowed him to buy is own cattle and equipment.

A Great Opportunity

By Rachel Harper Austin Etcheson says hard work has paid off for him

Austin Etcheson grew up in Jasper, Mo., with his parents Joe and Penny Etcheson. Early on, he began helping his uncle Louis Etcheson with cattle chores and his dad with construction. He soon understood how to care for cattle and had a good grasp on his dad’s business, Etcheson Construction. His grandpa had once farmed but sold his ground in the 1970s and Austin said he has always wanted to get into farming.

About four years ago, Austin started working for Russell Dintaman, a local farmer. His dad Joe knew Russell and it provided a great opportunity for him to get involved in farming.

“I was the only one at the time working for him and I helped pick up rocks,

row crop, take soil samples, work ground, spray and work on tractors and equipment,” Austin said.

During the school year, Austin, worked for about three hours every evening. After about a year, he started to help plant and Russell started a pivot irrigation business called Steele Rain Irrigation. Austin helped put together pivots and the first summer they built three pivots in Laclede County, Mo., driving from Jasper every day.

“Whenever we first started putting pivots together, he hired more people. We went from just me to six other guys. I managed the other help and kept everyone on track. The pivots are sent on a semi-trailer bundled up. We put them together and make sure they run properly. We can also troubleshoot them to find out what is wrong and fix it. I still help him on the farm as well. He can now give me an idea of what we need to get done such as spraying or planting, and I can just go out and take care of it. During the summer, especially when we are building pivots and going really hard, 70 or 80 hours a week is not outrageous.

“Once I worked for Russell long enough, I was able to get myself into a place where I could rent 80 acres of pasture and buy some cows,” he said.

Austin currently has 25 black Angus cows of his own he really enjoys. He still occasionally helps his dad with dirt work, building terraces and waterways and putting in drain tile for other farmers.

“Some jobs are better than others, but I enjoy all of it,” he said.

Austin also bales hay for local farmers.

He already had a mower, but recently has bought his own tractor and baler. Austin was his FFA chapter’s vice president, and the organization is a part of his family’s legacy as well. “My dad and two sisters were in FFA and I wanted to be in it. I came into FFA

“I would advise young people to work hard. Sometimes it’s not going to be fun, but you just have to do it anyways. If you work hard, you’ll be rewarded.” — Austin Etcheson

Jasper, Mo.

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as a freshman and did horse judging the first year, making it to state. From then on, I really enjoyed it. Last year, I won a proficiency in ag service with repair and maintenance. Our agronomy team made it to state, placing fourth. I have learned a lot from FFA and being an officer has helped me on the job manage my team of guys.”

Austin also received his State FFA Degree this year and won the state Star Placement Award at the State FFA Convention in Sedalia, Mo., for his work with Steele Rain Irrigation and will go through a few more interviews and represent Missouri at nationals.

“I would advise young people to work hard. Sometimes it’s not going to be fun, but you just have to do it anyways,” Russell said. “If you work hard, you’ll be rewarded. I got started working with my dad and he has always inspired me. I helped him when I was younger, and he helped me get the job with Russell. He said he didn’t care what I did as long as I was working and enjoyed it most of the time.”

Austin is attending Crowder College this fall for ag business, with an emphasis in agronomy. He would then like transfer to Missouri State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in agronomy with hopes of finding a job thereafter and continuing to expand his own farm.

College of the Ozarks® PRODUCTION SALE

NOVEMBER 27, 2021

With guest consignors – Central Missouri Polled Hereford Assn. members SALE OFFERING 60 LOTS

Including cow-calf pairs, breeding age bulls, bred heifers, open heifers and select black baldy females

AI SIRES: Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153 – 43764491 KACZ Z034 Torch 10Y F400 – 43890614 Loewen LJ Ferdinand 33N F33 ET – 4394074 BEHM 100W Cuda 504C – 43636764

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS HERD SIRES: WMC 66589 Mandate 18G ET – 43997828 COFO 2058 Rev 4R G1000 – 44018290

Students are the backbone of our operation and we strive to raise breeding stock that will work hard to make producers money!

Herd Manager: Ben Carpenter 573-289-8553 Sale Manager: Tammy Holder 417-342-0871 Central Missouri Polled Hereford Assn.: Larry Day 660-621-0812

ALWAYS STRIVING TO OFFER YOU THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE

Parts • Service • Sales • Family Owned • Local Company

6321 E. Farm Road 104 • Strafford, MO 2929 E. Blaine • Springfi eld, MO