Stop and Smell the Roses

by Peri Andras, JRA Board

Producing cattle can often be a source of stress and heartache. When it feels like everything is going your way, something is bound to happen to ruin your day. For example, a bull runs through the fence, a cow loses her calf or a tractor gets stuck. It’s in times like these when, although it may seem impractical, we need to step back and smell the roses … or in this case, cattle manure.

It is entirely possible to overlook the simple pleasures of cattle production when calamity strikes. As producers, we devote our focus to getting through breeding season, calving season, drought, winter, etc., and often forget the simple joys of raising cattle. As you read this, I challenge each of you to take a minute and think about the first cow you bought. Think about the pride and sense of accomplishment you felt. No doubt you could only dream about the future and could hardly wait to see what impact this beloved heifer would have on you and

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Emma Ahrendsen, Iowa • jraemma@gmail.com

Peri Andras, Illinois • jraperi17@gmail.com

Leah Evans, Iowa • jraleah1@gmail.com

Natalie Evans, Illinois • jranatalie@gmail.com your ranch. From this vantage point, that one heifer may seem insignificant, but at that time she was your entire world. There was nothing you wouldn’t do for her. You might sneak her extra feed, heavily bed her calving stall or bundle up to stay with her all night as she was calving. It may seem juvenile from a more mature perspective, but this was a time when things made sense and your heart was full of joy and peace.

Junior members have the privilege to live this reality every day. While we may not have as many things to worry about (such as paying bills), we can still soak up the simple pleasures that our cattle bring to our lives. For example, the year you got to show your very own heifer, you immediately felt a sense of pride. You simply couldn’t believe that you had your very own heifer to show. The fact that she stood dead last in her class at the county fair didn’t deter your pride or enthusiasm in the least. This is the same passion that drives cattle producers to continue raising cattle.

These feelings of accomplishment, joy and motivation shouldn’t – and probably never do – stop for most producers. Each year, once we finally get through the stressful periods, we need to endeavor to recall the simple joys within our industry. It is important that we take time to remember why we raise cattle, and be cognizant of the privilege that is ours, even during the most stressful of times. These pleasures can seem to serve as a light at the end of the tunnel.

Lastly, take time to enjoy the things that originally captivated your heart. Turn the tractor off and watch the month-old calves run laps around the pasture. Go find your old show heifer or favorite cow in the pasture, take her a treat and give her a good back scratch. Don’t get so busy trying to make a living that you miss out on life. So, stop and smell the roses. //

Cameron Ison, Kentucky • jracameron1@gmail.com

Mitchell VanderWal, South Dakota • jramitchell1@gmail.com

Kim Heller, Junior Program Coordinator • juniors@redangus.org

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