Western Ag Life Magazine - Fall 2020 by westernaglife

FALL 2020 FEATURING

Interview with William Beckmann Your Guide to Buying Beef Direct Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a New Crop in Town

G e n e t i c s

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WESTERN AG LIFE Paul Ramirez, Publisher Paul@westernaglife.com

Renée Bidegain, Creative Director info@westernaglife.com Madison Ramirez, Subscriptions info@westernaglife.com SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE 2020 FALL ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS ARTICLES

Renée Bidegain Amber Morin Ashtyn Carr Sam Donaldson Patina Thompson Kate Sanchez Korley Sears Arizona Beef Council Tiffany Selchow Courtenay DeHoff Arizona Beef Council Arizona Cattle Growers Association Patrick Bray Joel Johnson Heidi Crnkovic Amber Morin Tiffany Selchow Leann Heart Justen Ollendick Angela Leist LMA PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott T. Baxter Andrew Thorpe Casen Hutton Kate Sanchez Arizona Beef Council Fancy Lady Cowgirl Lacy Loren Photography Shana Bailey Jennie Porter Rocking P Photography Heidi Crnkovic COVER PHOTO

Hannah & Haidyn Barnard ©Scott T. Baxter © WESTERN AG LIFE MEDIA LLC

While every effort has been made for the accuracy of content, those listed above are not responsible for any errors or omissions appearing within the pages of this issue.

ive years ago a friend introduced me to Colonel Paul Ramirez who shortly thereafter hired me to be an Auction Director, for American Ag Auctions. I was wet behind the ears and I am pretty sure he only hired me because of my married name: Bid Again. I was destined to be in the industry. Early on I learned that the auction business involves a lot of driving and downtime. Similar to rodeo life, we “hurry up and wait.” All that waiting gives us time for endless conversations; I’m not sure if you know this about auctioneers, but they can talk a long streak. I would be riding shotgun with an auction spreadsheet open on my laptop, drinking hot tea and enjoying a conversation with Colonel as we barreled down the long highway to the next auction site. We would talk about the usual stuff: family, religion, politics, music, cows, dogs and horse wrecks but we would also talk about the future of agriculture, retirement, and the ups and downs of ranching in the southwest. More times then not Paul would talk about how he wished there was a publication that hit all the agriculture industries. He wanted to purchase an ad for his auctions that wouldn’t just reach cattlemen, dairymen or cotton farmers -- he wanted an all-encompassing periodical that hit everyone in agriculture, and their spouses, too! Three years ago Paul and his family started this passion project, a periodical that tells the story of agriculture in the desert southwest: Western Ag Life Magazine. Flipping through the Fall 2020 issue proves that the Colonel got his wish and I am happy that as the Creative Director, I can help put it together. Happy Anniversary Paul, celebrate! -Renée Bidegain,Creative Director

IN THIS ISSUE FARMING :: THE STORY OF OUR FARM LIFE............................................................................4 FROM THE AUCTION BLOCK :: COFFEE WITH THE COLONEL.................................... 10 MUSIC :: AN INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM BECKMANN.................................................... 12 THE LIFE OF A RANCH WIFE :: SELLING THE BEST ONE.................................................. 16 CONSERVATION :: HUNTING SAVES ANIMALS..................................................................... 18 FROM THE KITCHEN :: SIX-CHILE BEEF FLANK STEAK.................................................... 22

I LIVE THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE :: COURTENAY DEHOFF.............................................. 24 BUYING GUIDE :: BUY BEEF DIRECT......................................................................................... 26 SOUTHWESTERN NEWS :: THERE’S A NEW CROP IN TOWN........................................ 30 TOOLS OF THE TRADE :: RIDING TOWARDS SUCCESS................................................... 40 REAL ESTATE :: COWBOY LOGIC.................................................................................................. 44

help celebrate our anniversary by spreading the good news of agriculture! don’t keep us a secret, tell your friends about western ag life magazine or join our western family by subscribing today at https://www. westernaglife.com/subscribe-1/western-ag-life-magazinesubscription-1-year

FARMING: THE STORY OF OUR FARM LIFE “The gentle “howdy” and “hello friend” given by Hannah and Haidyn pave the way for readers to tag along with them and their parents, Jason and Candice Barnard, and little brother, Ethan, to experience farm and ranch life.” BY AMBER MORIN PHOTOS BY SCOTT T. BAXTER

o tell any story, but especially the stories of our lives and our family, is an invitation for others to connect with us, understand us, and relate to us. The best stories take us on a journey, beckon us to follow along, and we cannot help but say, “Yes, let’s go!” Hannah and Haidyn Barnard welcome children of all ages and backgrounds to join them in reading their newly published book, Farm Kids – Growing up WhiteBarn. Their book highlights a year of their life growing up on their family farm and ranch at the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains in the San Simon Valley. The gentle “howdy” and “hello friend” given by Hannah and Haidyn pave the way for readers to tag along with them and their parents, Jason and Candice Barnard, and little brother, Ethan, to experience farm and ranch life. As a reader, you will find yourself riding along in the cab of a tractor to plant forage crops, saddling up a horse to check cattle, or playing in the water of a center pivot. Life in agriculture is a balance of responsibility and adventure. The girls describe each job with playfulness that reflects their age and pulls you into their story. They keep you wondering what will be on the next page. Their enthusiasm for agriculture and their daily tasks is heartwarming and infectious! Hannah and Haidyn’s roots in agriculture run deep on both the Barnard and White sides of their family. Their great grandparents, the Curry’s, Jason Barnard’s grandparents, began farming in the Elfrida area in the early 1950s. However, when asked how far back farming went, Jason says that the family has been farming for as long as they can remember. Candice’s family, the White’s, also began farming in the Elfrida area in the 1950s. With historical knowledge and heritage behind them, it is no wonder that Hannah and Haidyn have a love for agriculture, conservation, and livestock! Like the generations before them, Hannah and Haidyn wake up before the sun to work on the family farm. They are used to hard work and enjoy the simple things that their rural lifestyle offers them. Both girls love driving the John Deere Gator utility vehicle, riding their horses, and checking cattle with their dad. When asked if they ever thought they would write a book about their lives, without hesitation they said, “No!” The idea for the book came from their good friend, and owner of the X Diamond Ranch, Wink Crigler. Wink encouraged the girls, and convinced them that their story was worth telling. It did not take too long, PG. 4 :: FALL 2020

Â© Scott T. Baxter WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 5

ÂŠ Scott T. Baxter

and the girls took action and egan writing their book. Every night for a year they sat down together and wrote about their experiences on the farm and ranch. Sometimes they drew pictures with their descriptions and had iPhone photos to remind them of what had transpired. A year later, they had a collection of short stories written in their own words detailing life on the farm and ranch. Their stories covered all four seasons and what was happening day to day - from planting, to growing, to harvesting, and feeding and branding cattle. After all this writing, drawing, and PG. 6 :: FALL 2020

photography, the girls had a framework for their book. When asked what they learned from this is experience, Hannah said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That you can do anything you set your mind to.â&#x20AC;? What a great life lesson to learn as a kid! Without a doubt, there were times when working on the book was daunting. The girls, however, stayed committed and the literary testament highlighting their rural lifestyle was well worth the effort for these 8 and 10-year-old authors and everyone who helped them along the way. When Haidyn was asked what she hoped her

Â© Scott T. Baxter WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 7

readers would understand from reading her book said, “I hope people understand that everything comes from agriculture! Our clothes, the food we eat, even stuff for sports like baseballs and footballs.” Hannah and Haidyn understand that most children do not grow up on farms and ranches and that by sharing their story, Farm Kids - Growing Up WhiteBarn, they offer readers the chance to connect with a farm family, bale hay, doctor cattle, and understand how food and fiber are grown. To get a copy of the book and learn more about agriculture, look for WhiteBarn Farms on Facebook or go to their website at www.whitebarnhayandcattle.com. PG. 8 :: FALL 2020

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amber Morin, Western Ag Life Magazine Contributor, Southeastern Arizona Rancher, and Founder of the podcast Agribusiness Conversations. ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Scott Baxter is an awardwinning photographer based on The X Diamond Ranch in Springerville, Arizona. . His fine art photography is in the permanent collections of the Phoenix Art Museum, The Desert Caballeros Western Museum, and The Scottsdale Public Art Program. Scott also recently completed 100 Years 100 Ranchers, a ten-year official Legacy Project for the Arizona Centennial. View more of Scotts work at: www.scottbaxterphotographer.com

SUPPORT HANNAH & HAIDYN ORDER A BOOK TODAY Ordering is easy! Check out our website: whitebarnhayandcattle.com or email us at: jncbarnard@gmail.com

YOU’LL LOVE THIS BOOK! © Scott T. Baxter WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 9

FROM THE AUCTION BLOCK : COFFEE WITH THE COLONEL “During this [COVID-19 pandemic], in the midst of the news media and the gloom and doom, people are still trying to live,” Friskup said. “They’re still trying to spend money. They’re still enjoying life. And if you have to do it six feet apart or with a mask on, that’s how you’re going to do it. But we’re going to keep living.” BY ASHTYN CARR

he smell of horsehair. The sea of Stetsons, Resistols or Bullhides. The sound of a wooden gavel clapping against the block. The hooping and hollering of cowboys, bid spotters and auctioneers. All of which are too familiar to Steve Friskup. As a boy in Kansas, Steve Friskup was practically brought up in the sale barn. Apart from working cows and tending to alfalfa fields, Friskup worked auctions alongside his father. As a freshman in high school, Friskup and his family moved to Central Oklahoma where his father bought a community auction barn. Friskup soon graduated high school and thought he would also be graduating from the auctioneering lifestyle. But he could not let go. “I remember driving off to college and I told my mom, I said ‘well, I’ll see you when I see you,’” Friskup said. “‘But I won’t be coming to no sale barn anymore. I’m done with this sale barn stuff’. That lasted about a month.” As a college student at Panhandle State University, Friskup continued to auctioneer and worked at Texoma Livestock. Friskup then learned to enjoy different aspects of livestock auctions. He says his favorite parts of the sale barn is the lifestyle, the people and the horses. Though he never went to auctioneering school, Friskup feels like his talent as an auctioneer is God-given. Friskup’s career shot off in 1984 when he got his first real job at Triangle Sale Company. Friskup has spent the last 36 years building his career, selling horses, following his passion, and watching the industry evolve. Not only has Friskup experienced the ups and downs of the market, he has also witnessed the role of the horse in society change. From the cattle industry’s demand for ranch horses to the advancing of recreational horses for rodeo events, PG. 10 :: FALL 2020

the equine industry shifts with society’s shifts and trends. Additionally, the incorporation of technology has changed the way auctions are conducted. Though Friskup considers himself an old school guy, he was previously a partner in Satellite Cattle Exchange. With the help of online auction sites, Facebook and virtual advertising, the auctioneering world looks a lot different than it did during Friskup’s childhood. But the relationships have stayed the same despite this. “The one thing that is still old school is the human to human relationships,” Friskup said. “That is the one thing that is so important, I believe, in the auction business. The ability to not only connect to your product but to connect to the people around it.” Though technology is useful in ways, Friskup said the detriment is losing some of the human contact. He claims this is one of the most effective marketing tools in sales. Technology is not the only thing affecting the live auction world. Like many other industries, the auctioneering industry is facing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auctions are considered an essential service. Even so, many auctions were still canceled, postponed or moved online. For those auctions that continued, protocols were put in place based on local restrictions. Even with the restrictions in place, Friskup said the markets and human morale is up. “During this [COVID-19 pandemic], in the midst of the news media and the gloom and doom, people are still trying to live,” Friskup said. “They’re still trying to spend money. They’re still enjoying life. And if you have to do it six feet apart or with a mask on, that’s how you’re going to do it. But we’re going to keep living.” When Friskup isn’t in the sale barn, he spends his time spreading the word of God. From leading Muleshoe Fellowship to his Coffee with the Colonel videos, he uses his platform to share his views. Friskup has been involved in ministry at Muleshoe Fellowship for 18 years. However, his Coffee with the Colonel videos started when COVID-19 hit. Coffee with the Colonel was a revelation that came to Friskup in spring 2020. Friskup said he was speaking at a church in Arkansas when he heard from God. The message he wanted to share was that of preparation. “I was sitting in the motel room and put my telephone on the counter,” Friskup said. “I started telling everybody what I believe God would have us do during some of this to get ready for it. Next thing I know 50,000 people listened to it.” Friskup used his personal Facebook account to spread this message. Though the idea was to do a short series, Friskup’s followers didn’t want him to stop. Since the first video, he has continued to share the gospel almost every morning with his cup of coffee. “I tell something that I believe God wants to help us through these times to

give us some direction,” Friskup said. “It’s the craziest thing I have ever seen. There will be 10 to 20,000 people watching every day.” Because of Coffee with the Colonel, Friskup has met new people and been given unique opportunities. One of those opportunities was attending an event held by President Donald Trump. In July of this year, Friskup and his wife were invited to a luncheon for President Trump in MidlandOdessa, TX. “To sit in a room with [President Trump] is absolutely overwhelming,” Friskup said. “We were in a pretty intimate setting and there wasn’t any cameras or any of that going on. So, he was very real.” Friskup said it’s no secret where his beliefs and patriotism lie. Before the 2016 election, Friskup had been to Washington D.C. twice. He even rode into the city

on horseback the day before the election. Friskup’s trips to the nation’s capital led him to become heavily interested in President Trump. Again, through Coffee with the Colonel, Friskup was presented with the opportunity to pray over the President at the 2020 National Republican Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the convention was canceled. Friskup’s passions have led him to achieve many things during his lifetime. From his success in auctioneering to the opportunities coming from Coffee with the Colonel, Friskup does what he loves every day. With his family by his side, he plans on continuing auctioning, spreading the gospel and sharing his love for the horse. “The best part about my life is my wife,”

Friskup said, through teary eyes. “She had two amazing daughters. [I have] three grandsons and they’re the best part of the whole deal.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashtyn Carr grew up raising and exhibiting swine and cattle. Now a senior at Texas Tech University, she is majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. Ashtyn is a first-generation Red Raider and West Texas resident. She loves writing about West Texas culture, hot spots, and events. When she isn’t studying, writing, or taking pictures, she’s spending time in the barn with her family. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 11

PG. 12 :: FALL 2020

WILLIAM BECKMANN

INTERVIEW WITH SAM DONALDSON

illiam Beckmann was raised on the Mexican border in the town of Del Rio, Texas. At an early age, Beckmann discovered his passion for writing songs and performing. The 25 year-old singer considers his music to be a blend between Traditional Country and Americana, and often writes songs that are reflective of his small town upbringing. We caught up with William Beckman while he was on the road playing shows and here is what he had to say:

How has agriculture influenced your music and/or daily life? Agriculture runs deep in my family. My grandfather, Santiago Hyslop, was born and raised in Parral, Chihuahua Mexico. He got involved in the cattle business after he purchased a ranch from his father. He raised Mexican cattle and crossed them through Presidio, TX throughout the 60s. After he married my grandmother, they relocated to Del Rio, TX to raise their family. My dad, Edwin Hyslop, eventually became a cattle trader and now my older brother does the same thing. They love what they do. Occasionally, when I have time off, I’ll visit my family in Del Rio. I’ll go to the pens and help them sort cattle and brand. I don’t think I’m much help but I love watching my dad and brother do what they do best. They have the same level of passion for the cattle business as I do with my music. What are some musical influences that may be surprising to your fans? I mostly sing country but I love all kinds of music. I have an obsession for traditional pop music. When I was in college, I went through a Sinatra phase and I practiced singing like him. I also love Mariachi music. Vicente Fernandez and Pedro Infante are probably my favorites. Listening to their records taught me how to be a better singer.

It appears that you are mostly independent as far as promotion/label. What are your goals in that department, and do you think that helps or hinders you as far as commercial success. The most important thing is the relationship with the fans. Labels are great for helping artists reach a wider audience but at the end of the day, you have to go and play shows to make those die-hard fans. Being active on social media is also incredibly important. It’s great to be able to engage with your audience so easily. Today’s country music is very “commercial” for lack of a better term… you’re Indie… is that by design? There are a lot of modern country songs that I think are great. I lived in Nashville for 5 years and I still have an apartment there. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but that’s what the radio plays. Personally, I have a tendency to write more traditional country songs. Some of them sound like songs you would’ve heard in the 50s or 60s. Ironically, that kind of country isn’t everyone’s cup of tea either. How do you measure success musically? I measure my success based on the quality of songs I write. Nothing makes me prouder than writing something I think is really special. Having people show up to my shows is also a great feeling. I don’t focus so much on how many people come to the show. I just consider it a blessing that people go out of their way to come watch me. Success is doing what you love and making a comfortable living. That’s what I’m doing right now and I have to thank God for that. What are your goals? What is your drive musically? I’m in the planning stages for my next record. It’s long overdue but I was busy Continue on page 20...

©Andrew Thorpe WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 13

YOUTH:SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA LIVESTOCK EXPO RESULTS Congratulations inaugural Expo winners! This could be a place for a little more informtaion regarding winners or who organized the event or what happens next? ALL PHOTOS BY LACY LOREN PHOTOGRAPHY

BEEF: EXPO Grand Champion Market Steer – Exhibited by William Thwaits – left to right Ruth Thwaits, Bonnie Thwaits, William Thwaits (Sr), William Thwaits (Jr), Judge Krisha Geffert EXPO Reserve Champion Market Steer – Exhibited by Grace Burruel – left to right Judge Krisha Geffert, Grace Burruel EXPO Best Cochise County Bred & Fed Steer – Bred by W Cross Ranch, Exhibited by Camry Thompson - left to right Shane Thompson, Patina Thompson, Judge Krisha Geffert , Camry Thompson.

PG. 14 :: FALL 2020

MEAT GOAT: EXPO Grand Champion Market Meat Goat and EXPO Best Cochise County Bred & Fed Market Goat – Bred by Gilbert Zamudio, Exhibited by Sydney Klump – left to right Judge Krisha Geffert, Sydney Klump, Gilbert Zamudio EXPO Reserve Champion Market Meat Goat – Exhibited by Maylee Thompson, Judge Krisha Geffert and Maylee Thompson LAMB:EXPO Grand Champion Market Lamb and EXPO Best Cochise County Bred & Fed Market Lamb – Bred by JC and Sandy McDonald, Exhibited by Emiley Salivar.

Judge Krisha Geffert and Emiley Salivar. EXPO Reserve Champion Market Lamb – Exhibited by Levi Segovia – Judge Krisha Geffert and Levi Segovia SWINE: EXPO Grand Champion Market Hog and EXPO Best Cochise County Bred & Fed Market Hog – Bred by JWO Show Pigs, Exhibited by Jack Owen. Judge Krisha Geffert and Jack Owen. EXPO Reserve Champion Market Hog Exhibited by Nataly Thompson, Judge Krisha Geffert and Nataly Thompson.

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THE LIFE OF A RANCH WIFE: SELLING THE BEST ONE

“Why would you sell your best horse?” a friend asked. Not a horse person herself, she didn’t know much about the animal in question, but heard me utter the words, “experienced, dependable, gentle,” and most of all, “good with our daughter”. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATE SANCHEZ

o, it was no surprise that she somewhat questioned my judgement in choosing THAT particular horse to be offered for sale. After all, in our talented horse lineup, we’ve owned this one the longest and know him the absolute best. He has been all those things previously mentioned, and coincidentally, that’s why he’s being sold. Her question seemed so simple, but it made me think. Horse ownership is a vast experience; some people own one horse in their back pasture for the better part of 20 years, while others buy a horse one week and sell it for a small profit the next. It’s a large spectrum, but the common factor that lies between us all is that we’re doing something we love and finding enjoyment along our path with horses. In my case, and in choosing our best horse each time, it’s first a labor of love. I will be forever grateful to this horse, those that came before him, and more which will come in the future; that have granted me the ability to help them reach a level of talent which appeals to potential buyers. I’m proud when we take a horse to a sale and people say they drove 10+ hours to see PG. 16 :: FALL 2020

our horse, specifically. I’ll also admit how gratified I am when I hear success stories from anyone who buys a horse from us. Because we only sell horses occasionally, each one means a great deal to us, and it’s important they go to a fitting home. But don’t be mistaken, selling our best horses isn’t about an ego-boost. While getting paid for a lot of hard work is always nice, it comes second to everything else that both we and the horse gain from letting him go. Like many people, with every horse purchase made, the thought of re-sale may be in mind for the future. So, with each one, a multitude of things like pedigree, conformation, and attitude are taken into consideration. I refuse to send a horse out into the world that I would be ashamed to say we owned, so I work hard to get them to a place where most anyone could enjoy them. Along the way, I learn where he excels and most likely, what his shortcomings are, as well. On the other hand, I learn much from these horses too. With each comes new lessons, a new set of challenges, and even greater rewards. Because of this, selling our best horse forces me out of my existing

comfort zone. If we sell our most skilled horse, it’s a challenge for me to step up and do the same with a younger or less experienced mount. That challenge in learning new skills and teaming up with another horse is perhaps what I enjoy most about the process. After all, what’s life without constantly bettering oneself and honing your skills at something you enjoy? Aside from all these things, we will choose this special animal because of the value placed on him, and I don’t mean monetarily. I want to be the person who sells him to his forever home. I value him enough to offer him the chance for a lifelong home he will flourish in, where people benefit from him as much as he does them. I value him enough to provide him the opportunity to be the horse of someone’s dream forever; because my dreams (the same ones he’s helped me fulfill) are not in keeping one for their entire lifetime, but rather in creating that “unicorn” for someone else.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kate Sanchez is a freelance writer based out of Ruidoso, NM. She and her husband have worked on various ranches across OK and west Texas. They have one horse-loving daughter, who is two. Kate graduated from Eastern NM University in 2009 with a degree in Journalism and minor in Agriculture. She currently writes for a few different publications and enjoys training and showing horses.

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CONSERVATION: HUNTING SAVES ANIMALS It’s not what you don’t know that kills you, it’s what you know for sure that ain’t true.” (Mark Twain) ARTICLE AND PHOTOS KORLEY SEARS

uring a recent lunch date with an acquaintance that quote came to mind. My lunch date is a successful business professional, obviously intelligent and well-articulated, so I was caught a bit off guard when she said, “I see on Facebook that you are a hunter”. My immediate thought was, “oh boy here we go,” as just then she said, “I just don’t get how you can kill those beautiful animals.” The statement in and of itself was not shocking. What was shocking is that as it was being said while she was eating chicken sandwich! At this point I probably could have just let it go but something spontaneous compelled me to say, “ya know, someone not only had to kill that chicken you’re eating right now, but some farmer also spent quite a bit of time, toil and financial input to put that on the table for you.” This is where the conversation got even more interesting. I could literally tell by her reaction that she had never thought a chicken sandwich in that context before. After chewing on “things” a bit longer she replied with, “well that’s different”. But is it? Ok, maybe it is different -- to her at least. But to me, having grown up in farming and ranching, it is no different whatsoever. Only just recently in human history has this type of thinking risen to the top. Or a better way to put it might be, PG. 18 :: FALL 2020

“settled to the bottom.” I say this because farmers and ranchers know where their food comes from and what it takes to put it there. They live it every day, the way all hunter/gatherer humans have done for hundreds of thousands of years. The fact of the matter is, we would not be here today without utilizing animals for food. Our brains could not have evolved into the super organ that is without an adequate amount of protein and fat in the diet. It is not about enjoying the kill, far from and nearly opposite of that actually. It is about enjoying the natural world. A world that sadly, most people today have poor to little understanding of. I am carrying the legacy of all those that have gone before and have got us to where we are today. A legacy where a successful outing was celebrated because it meant survival for another day. Which leads me into the main topic of this article, hunting in Arizona. But before we tackle that topic in more specific detail, let’s start off by discussing the science of wildlife conservation used by state game agencies around this great country of ours. It is called the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. This model developed some 100 years ago, has become far and away the most successful system of wildlife conservation the world has ever seen. No other continent retains the balance and diversity of species that North America does. The foundation of this model is user pay. In other words, it is paid for by sportsmen and women, not by general tax funds as many of the uniformed believe. So, and this is the key point, the wildlife exists not despite hunters (as many anti-hunting groups would like to have you believe), but because of hunters. In other countries where some other approach has been used and hunting outlawed, the animals simply disappear. It may sound counterintuitive, but it is not. The science-based system allows for sound decision-making, rule of law and enforcement of that law. The foundational elements of this model are science-based decision making, public

participation, active management of the habitat, strict regulation, and enforcement of game laws. This system not only protects animals from being overharvested but also ensures that this renewable resource is sustainable for generations to come. In a follow-up article to this one I will go into greater detail about hunting specifics in Arizona but for now I’ll touch on a few of the basics. Typically, small game such as dove, quail, and rabbits in Arizona require only a general hunting license. This can be purchased online at azgfd. com. However, if you want to hunt big game such as deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, or javelina, then you must also apply to draw a tag. In each of the many units throughout the state, big game species are allocated by wildlife managers a seasonal or yearly quota of “tags” for that species. This is based upon survey counts and historical data where the harvest is limited to only the surplus of a given species. For example, if you want to hunt elk, then you will need to apply not only where elk live, but also take into consideration how available the odds of drawing that particular tag are. In some areas, the tags are more readily available and in others not so much. In fact, some units can take 20 or more years to draw, but if luck is on your side, you can also draw that same tag the first time you apply. So yeah, I am proud to be a hunter and I am not afraid of saying it. Not only do I know where that food comes from, I also know how to harvest, field dress, process and prepare it for the dinner table. There is an ancient satisfaction in that process that you cannot get by ordering a sandwich off the menu. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Korley Sears is a real estate broker with National Land Realty (nationalland.com). He grew up a fourth-generation cattle rancher, cattle feeder and farmer. He also has worked as a consultant for Cabela’s TAGS & Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures, Safari Club International and The Mule Deer Foundation.

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©Casen Hutton

Continued from page 13... touring in 2019 and had plans to record in March of 2020. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. I want to keep putting music out there. It’s what I love. I also want to start writing with other people again. I recently signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and I’m focused on collaborating with some of their other writers. Guilty pleasure? Doing impressions of people. Some of them are impressions of famous people and others are of people I know. I’ve secretly always wanted to be an actor so I love messing around with different voices and characters. My family seems to get a kick out of it. What does agriculture mean to you? It means family. It means prayer. It means taking care of this country and using its resources to feed the population. It’s the thought of countless generations of hardworking people doing what they love and passing it on to generations to come. It means asking God for rain and thanking Him when it comes. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the cattle business. It’s what raised me. Do you have an opinion on the push politically for less agriculture? Farming and agriculture is the backbone of the United States. It’s what feeds this nation. It’s what puts groceries on the shelves. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to slow that down. I think the phrase “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you” has never had a more literal meaning. For tour dates, news & all things Beckmann visit: https://www.williambeckmann.com PG. 20 :: FALL 2020

©Casen Hutton

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he Arizona Beef Council (ABC) was officially created in 1970, after two decades of voluntary efforts, to promote beef and provide education on the benefits to one’s diet. Now, fifty years later, the mission is the same: education, promotion, and research. Directed by a board of nine beef farmers and ranchers (three ranchers, three dairymen, and three cattle feeders), the Beef Checkoff Program works to reach Arizona consumers with in-state programs as well as extending national programs of the Beef Checkoff Program, which became federal law in 1986. Annually, the board prepares a marketing plan and budget, taking into consideration the latest consumer market research. PG. 22 :: FALL 2020

The flagship brand “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” is the Beef Checkoff-funded marketing campaign, with the home base of www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com featuring recipes, cooking lessons, nutrition information, information on how cattle are raised, how to cook the various cuts, and more. A helpful collection to visit on this website when learning about cooking different cuts of beef are the “Cuts” and “Cooking” sections where each cut is searchable with recommended cooking recommendations and suggested recipes. An Arizona favorite recipe is Six-Chile Beef Flank Steak with Southwest Tomato Cream and Roasted Vegetables. Also, on the website are guidelines for safe and easy freezing, storage and defrosting for beef.

For more information about theINGREDIENTS: Arizona Beef Council, visit www.ArizonaBeef.com.

ROASTED VEGETABLES: 1 lb new potatoes, halved 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1” pieces 2 bell peppers, diced, one green, one yellow SOUTHWEST TOMATO CREAM: 1/4 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup beer 1/4 cup mild tomatillo salsa 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1-1/2 tablespoons Six-Chile Spice Mix 1/4 cup reduced-fat dairy sour cream GARNISH: Sour cream, fresh lemon juice COOKING: Mix ingredients for Six-Chile Spice Mix in small bowl. Add beef Flank Steak, 2 tablespoons Six Chile Spice Mix and red wine vinegar to food-safe plastic bag; turn to coat. Close bag securely and marinate 6 hours to overnight. Set aside remaining Spice Mix.

Nutrition information per serving: 609 Calories; 198 Calories from fat; 22g Total Fat (6.5 g Saturated Fat; 0.2 g Trans Fat; 2.7 g Polyunsaturated Fat; 10.1 g Monounsaturated Fat;) 112 mg Cholesterol; 2081 mg Sodium; 53 g Total Carbohydrate; 14.5 g Dietary Fiber; 51 g Protein; 10.9 mg Iron; 2025 mg Potassium; 16.9 mg NE Niacin; 1.8 mg Vitamin B6; 2.4 mcg Vitamin B12; 8.9 mg Zinc; 55.7 mcg Selenium; 208.3 mg Choline. This recipe is an excellent source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Iron, Potassium, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Selenium, & Choline.

SIX-CHILE BEEF FLANK STEAK WITH SOUTHWESTERN TOMATOE CREAM & ROASTED VEGETABLE RECIPE INGREDIENTS: 1 beef Flank Steak (about 1-1/2 pounds) SIX-CHILE SPICE MIX: 2 tablespoons six-chile pepper mix 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1-1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic 1-1/2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon hickory-smoked salt 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

COOK’S TIP: You may add more Six-Chile Spice Mix to marinade for a spicier flavor, reserving at least 1-1/2 tablespoon for Southwest Tomato Cream. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place potatoes, mushrooms and 1 tablespoon oil in medium bowl; toss to combine. Place potato mixture on shallow-rimmed baking sheet. In same bowl, add asparagus and peppers and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; toss to combine. Place asparagus mixture on separate shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Season both baking sheets with salt and pepper, as desired. Roast in 450°F oven 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare Southwest Tomato Cream. Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beer, salsa, tomato paste and 1-1/2 tablespoons Six-Chile Spice Mix. Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Gently whisk in sour cream. Keep warm. Cook’s Tip: You may add more Six-Chile Spice Mix to Southwest Tomato Cream for spicier flavor. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 16 to 20 minutes for medium rare (145°F), turning occasionally. Carve steak into thin slices; serve with Roasted Vegetables and Tomato Cream.

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PG. 24 :: FALL 2020

Q & A: WITH COURTENAY DEHOFF What is your occupation? I am a television personality, speaker and a ‘Fancy Lady Cowgirl’. What’s a typical day like for you? The beauty of the entertainment industry is that there are no typical days. One day I might be on-air inside Madison Square Garden and the next I’m working cows in the Flinthills of Kansas. My television career has taken me all around the world and no two days look alike. I thrive on the unusualness and lack of continuity. It’s never boring. If you think about it though, no two days on a ranch are alike either. That is probably why I love it. If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be? I’d be in a foreign country doing a little exploring. I love to travel and I’m always dreaming of my next grand adventure. I’ve been to 18 different countries, but there are so many more I dream of visiting. I love waking up in a new country, throwing on my tennis shoes in the morning with no plan and seeing where the day takes me. How do you want people to remember you? I want people to remember me for being kind and making them feel like they matter. When I think of the people who have touched me most in my life, it’s because they made me feel like my story mattered. That is what I’m trying to do with my #FancyLadyCowgirl brand. I just really want people to know that their story is important. Who is someone you admire, and why? I admire so many people, but I would have to say my parents. They gave my sister and I such a cool upbringing and looking back I see how much they had to sacrifice to make it happen. We always had good rodeo horses and great show cattle. My mom drove us a million miles to rodeos and my dad worked incredibly hard to make sure we could go to good colleges. My mom and dad are rock stars. From everyone you admire, who do you admire the most? My pappy. He kept our ranch alive and thriving through some of the toughest times in history. He’s 81-years-old and still ranching and riding. He’s a legend. What is the quality you most like in a man and a women? I appreciate a big sense of humor in a man. Life is too short not to have a little fun. I really appreciate a woman who isn’t afraid to own her power. I appreciate a woman is brave enough to be bold.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? As a television host I have a true passion for telling people’s stories. I really believe that everyone has a unique story that deserves to be told. I think one of the biggest skills I bring is the ability to make people comfortable enough to open up. When a crew of ten walks in with cameras, lights and sound equipment people can get overwhelmed. I make a point to make sure the person I’m interviewing knows I’m just a person too. I want them to look at me and see another human with a story, not some untouchable TV personality. What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working? I love being around people I love. Sometimes that is horseback in Kansas and other times that is rooftop in New York. Either way, I’m happiest surrounded by friends and family. Name three words that you describe you. Bold, Outspoken, Passionate What are some causes you care about? I’m deeply passionate about advocating for agriculture and uplifting traditions of the West. I had to leave the rural community to really be able to come back and appreciate it. I work hard to help share stories from those who make Rural America so wonderful. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me... If I’m working you can find me in a hotel room going over notes for a broadcast or a speech. Before COVID I was traveling a lot and I spent most weekends on the road. Now that I’m home more, my favorite thing to do in the mornings is fire up my Nespresso machine. I splurged on a fancy coffee machine and now I can make fancy lattes and it’s my favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning. What makes you, #westernlife? I’m a “Fancy Lady Cowgirl”. I was born in the #WesternLife, but I reside in the big city. I take pride in being both a little fancy and a little ranchy. FOLLOW COURTENAY AT: #FancyLadyCowgirl or visit www.courtenaydehoff.com

WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 25

BUYING GUIDE

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FORBES MEAT CO. Forbes Meat Company is a whole animal butcher that supports local ranchers by buying livestock direct. Our custom butchery is like no other shop in Tucson, AZ. At Forbes we make all our sausage recipes from our own spice blends, we dry age beef make our own hot dogs and because we buy whole animals we have every cut available. Do you have an animal that you need processed? We can do that too. From Japanese A5 Wagyu to a local sirloin bavette we are Tucson’s premier butcher.

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WHITEBARN BEEF At WhiteBarn Farms we love helping families create great memories with mouthwatering beef! At the heart of what we do, is a commitment to the best, most sustainable practices for the land and livestock. Our customers trust us, our practices, and our products. When you feed your family WhiteBarn Beef grass fed or grain fed, you can look forward to marble-ous quality, straight from our family to yours! We love making it easy for you to fill your freezer with great beef! PG. 26 :: FALL 2020

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BUY BEEF DIRECT on family ranches, and processed at small processing plants that are certified and inspected for retail sales.

KILLIAN BEEF Killian Beef is a family owned, family run beef cattle operation that markets beef straight from the Killian Family Ranch to consumers. We strive for excellence in all that we do from caring for the land our cattle graze to the quality of the cuts of beef that we market. No gimmicks, just great priced, high quality beef that anyone will enjoy, both the eating experience and the story behind it.

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COPPER STAR BEEF Copper Star Beef is All Natural and All Arizona Homegrown cattle sourced from ranching families and processed in an Arizona processing facility. Copper Star Beef® is a registered brand name under Herrington Cattle, LLC, owned by Matt and Kelsey Herrington who are passionate about their community. Their knowledge and experience have helped them create a program that improves the quality and availability of local beef to local consumers.

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BRIDLE BIT RANCH BEEF In today’s global world it is hard to know where any of our products we purchase come from. Shouldn’t we know where our food began and how it ended up in our homes? Here at the Bridle Bit Ranch we can do that for you. Our cattle have a long history on the Santa Cruz River, going all the way back to the 1940’s. Bridle Bit Ranch calves are born on and spend their entire life on the Santa Cruz River. This allows us to provide wonderful grass-fed beef from cattle that have never known anything but green grass. The result is Arizona beef at its finest.

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WESTERN STYLE GUIDE: RE-RIDE STORIES PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHANA BAILEY & JENNIE PORTER

e are a mother/daughter collaboration that believe everything deserves a second chance! Our love of old cowboy boots, vintage leather & tack are the inspirations for our wearable works of art. Each piece is one of a kind and handmade with love in our studio, in Northern CA. We both agree our artistic abilities were passed down from Denise’s mother, Doris, who was a talented artist in her own right. Doris was an amazing quilter who taught us both about

PG. 28 :: FALL 2020

patience when it comes to creating something beautiful, and to always pay attention to every stitch. It was Denise’s idea to name the business “Re-Ride Stories”. A play on repurposing and cowboy slang, many of the designs created are made from reclaimed cowboy boots, vintage belts, old tack, used horseshoes and vintage fabrics. And just like old cowboys can tell a great story, so does each unique piece they create. Shop online at: https://www.reridestories.com

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WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 29

THERE’S A NEW CROP IN TOWN ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY PATINA THOMPSON

hen driving through the Sulphur Springs Valley in the summertime, you will see fields of alfalfa, cotton, corn, beans, and more recently, potatoes. The inconspicuous plant has the same green hue of a cotton plant, but real gold is what lies just inches under the soil. Joost and Ingeborg Gijzenberg bring a lifetime of growing experience from the Netherlands, where Joost grew up growing potatoes from a very young age under the MTS Gijzenberg family business name. While Ingeborg didn’t grow up in an agriculture family (her dad was in IT and her mom was a teacher), she is a vital component to the growing operation that’s nestled in the heart of the Sulphur Springs Valley. The original farmland was purchased by the Gijzenberg’s in PG. 30 :: FALL 2020

2009 while they were still in Holland, and managed by a local farmer who continued to raise crops traditional to the area. The Gijzenberg family, including their three daughters, Emma, Noah and Isis, immigrated in 2015, took over management of the farm and started farming corn, rye and alfalfa. Joost gained experience with the soil, climate and elevation and planted 30 acres of potatoes in the spring of 2017 as a trial. By this time, the word of his presence was known by players in the U.S. potato market, and he struck a deal with SunrainPotandon out of Idaho. The contract was for both fresh and seed potatoes, which would be hauled to Eloy after harvest for washing, storage and distribution. The Gijzenbergs were able to capitalize on the climate, location, good soils and great water of

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the Sulphur Springs Valley to provide a superior seed product that fit into the timing of farmers across the country, mainly in the southeast, where soil temperatures warm up before ours. In 2018, the acres planted to potatoes grew to a full pivot of 120 acres. In 2019, even more growth occurred with 375 planted acres. At this time a Minnesota based company, Plant, Grow, Harvest (PGH) partnered with Joost and they rented land to him to grow potatoes while they handled the washing and cold storage portion of the process in their new facility in Sunsites. This year marks a record 720 planted acres planted to potatoes for Joost, which include over 23 varieties. The varieties are categorized by size and flesh color, which vary from creamers, yellows, reds, bigs and also processed varieties for French fries and chipping. While the growing season is rather short compared to traditional crops, monetary input is very high. Potatoes require minimal water (around 2.5 acre-feet) and are planted the first week of March. After planting, the potato is susceptible to frost as a young plant. The monsoon season poses an additional threat of potential damage to the green portion of the plant from hail, heavy rain or saturated soil. During PG. 32 :: FALL 2020

the growing season, the fields are routinely inspected by an independent company, Arizona Crop Improvement, who collects samples to send to labs in North Dakota to test for bacteria and other water or soil-borne contaminants. Around the first week of June, a large green digger machine moves slowly through the fields, penetrating the soil to six inches, carefully scooping the soil, potatoes and plant material up onto a conveyor system. The potatoes are then transferred to a buggy and taken to a shed for sorting. The machine system is a specialized mix of equipment the Gijzenbergs brought over from Europe this winter in order to efficiently handle their increased productivity in 2020. The machine shakes and sorts the potatoes by size. Hand labor is used to remove plant and rock debris, then the potatoes fall into a bin. Once full, a forklift strategically moves the full bin to a scale and a ticket is placed on it with the variety and size specifications. Their advanced computerized system keeps track of the records so precisely, that a single variety of potato can be traced back to the exact field and lot number on the farm. This ensures the highest food safety measurements are in place. Seed potatoes

are then stored in cold storage around 50 degrees F. The fresh potato varieties are immediately hauled 32 miles to the wash plant in Sunsites to be cleaned and distributed to the companies that then package and deliver them to the consumer. Any culled potatoes are donated to a local food bank system. While Joost finds the greatest joy in the hands-on, day-today field operations, he also has to manage and oversee all aspects of the process in perfect unison as the family’s acres in potato production continue to grow. On the home-front, the Gijzenberg’s roots are strong. Oldest daughter, Emma (22), is currently in Holland where she’s getting an International Teaching degree. Middle daughter, Isis (20), has fallen in love with this western state and is a clone of her dad as she enjoys the daily farm activities and a passion equal to his for agriculture. Youngest daughter, Noah (19) is back in Holland and attending medical school. Her boyfriend Tim’s family has one of the biggest potato wash-plants in the country. Looks like this new crop is here to stay.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Contributor Patina Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Watershed and Rangeland Resources from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. She works in the agriculture insurance field. She is a wife, mother, rancher, hunter, photographer and conservationist in Southeastern Arizona.

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COVID UPS AND DOWNS ARTICLE BY: PATRICK BRAY

The summer here in the Southwest continues to drag on, leaving many of us wondering when the monsoon will happen, or if it already did? There is one thing for certain and that is no matter how long this summer drags on or what the monsoon does bring (or doesn’t), it will rain again. A longtime Arizonan by the name of Doc Lane always reminded me of that. COVID-19 seems like a long, hot Southwest summer but with no end in sight. Numbers drop and numbers increase, and I am not sure anyone has a handle on what to do or where we are going. It’s like someone pulled the gate on the bucking chute and was told, “Just don’t let go!” This virus has touched affected people in so many ways, whether it be directly or from the fallout of decisions made by political leaders. Agriculture was no different and the industry certainly took a hit for which no one could have be prepared. While we are not out of the COVID forest, it is important that we study and understand what we in agriculture went through and how we can better prepare ourselves for the future. Agriculture is no stranger to challenges, as many industries have food safety plans and crisis management emergency plans for disease outbreaks and other issues, but no one could have planned for losing major market outlets overnight and a shutdown of the world’s largest economy. COVID will be something that we remember for a long time, just like the effect of BSE (mad cow disease) on cattle markets and E. coli’s detrimental impact to vegetable markets and consumers. The good news is that food producers and the supply chain have recovered seemingly quickly, but it is important that the industry study, learn and understand the problems we faced PG. 36 :: FALL 2020

during this major economic shutdown. America has the safest, most affordable food supply in the world and as shelves ran out of toilet paper and other supplies, I can confidently say we were not going to run out of food despite short interruptions to keeping up with the abrupt increase in demand at grocery stores. We always assumed we had a resilient food supply chain and, all things considered, I would say that we do. However, what we found out is that there are a few soft spots that need to be addressed to ensure resiliency and deliverability. At the pinnacle of the COVID crisis, assuming we are mostly past it, major outlets for our agriculture products were completely shut down, including restaurants, catering and schools. Just think of Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the nation, downtown at Monroe Avenue and 3rd Street, a location with the convention center and at least a half dozen meeting venues capable of feeding 500 people on any given night. In less than 24 hours, this was no longer a viable outlet for the sale of meat, dairy or vegetables to be consumed. Thinking further from our Arizona localities, the nationwide impact to Yuma’s vegetable market, for example, which is transported across the country to the very large food service industry, was devastating. So, what does this tell us? Nothing new, honestly. Agriculturalists are highly efficient, produce safe, quality, and affordable food, and are able to deliver it to the consumer quickly. The downside when a market closes abruptly is the pinch and strain on the supply chains. However, while some products did unfortunately perish during this time, there is a shining entrepreneurial spirit in the

agriculture industry, causing farmers and ranchers to adapt in quickly repackaging, rebranding and redistributing agriculture’s perishable products. Several new direct-toconsumer options popped up along with new ideas to bypass value-added supply chains. While some of the solutions might be adopted indefinitely, I believe others that filled a short-term void, will become as popular as hemp and ostrich burgers. Solutions moving forward will look different and farmers and ranchers will continue to provide a safe, quality product. Every step of the food chain must work together – from the farm and ranch all the way through to the retail store owner and restaurateur to meet the challenges of the future. After all of this COVID business is finished, rural Arizona and parts of the southwest may have a few more neighbors who are looking to escape these coronavirus hot spots and build a little more self-reliance. The bottom line is that while markets turned upside down from price to supply and demand, the elasticity of these agriculture markets is quite great considering it wasn’t but a few months ago that many producers faced uncertainty from prices to markets and even if lending institutions would allow them to carry on. Like Doc Lane told me, it will rain again, and while we may not know when, we know that our rural lifestyle and agriculture will always push forward to provide for those great consumers that continue to buy our products. For more information about Arizona Farm & Ranch Group visit: www.azfarmranch.org, follow them on Facebook (Arizona Farm and Ranch Group), or Twitter @AZFarmRanch.

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WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 37

LISTEN AND LAMENT: LAND, RACE, AND HEALING

Only by restoring the broken connections can we be healed.” ~ Wendell Berry ARTICLE BY JOEL JOHNSON

bout four years ago, I asked a former teacher of mine, a gifted Navajo artist, how he came to know the Sonoran Desert so well. His answer surprised me. Several decades prior, he moved from New Mexico to Arizona for a position teaching art. But this land of saguaros and bean trees was much different than the high northern desert in which he was raised. He told me—and I think about this all the time— that he could not paint this new desert until he learned to love it. Of course, as an artist, this was not a process he could simply wait on. He had to cultivate this love, as he quite literally depended on it for his livelihood. So, every day for months, when the final bell rang and his teaching duties were complete, he walked out into the desert to a quiet wash bed. He sat, and he listened: to the calls of the cactus wrens, to the movement of the wind between the mesquite trees. He noticed how the light filtered between the twigs of the palo verdes and how the texture of the Santa Catalinas changed as the shadows lengthened. And day-by-day, minute-by-minute, he learned to love a second home in a way most of us never know our first. By listening to it. I mention this story, because our nation is desperately in need of a season of listening. So many voices are calling out PG. 38 :: FALL 2020

injustice—sharing painful and intimate realities of what it is like to navigate this American world as a Black man, as a Latina woman, as an immigrant or refugee—and at least in my experience, the overwhelming response from white majority culture (of which I am absolutely a part) is to talk back. To question, to justify, to offer another story. But here’s the thing—when we are talking, we are not healing, because we are not listening. As agrarians, we are taught the importance of observation. We watch the rain work its way across our land and notice where cold air settles with the first frost. This observation is a beautiful act, one that is either born out of care or facilitates it. But for these observations to be truly formative, they must also be accompanied by sorrow as we notice changes we wish were not so. The monsoon rains come later and later, and we are told it was not always this way. The riverbeds are dry, and we must imagine what life was like when water was always within reach.

“When we lack historical understanding, we lose part of our identity,” Latasha Morrison writes in Be the Bridge. “We don’t know where we came from and don’t know what there is to celebrate or lament. Likewise, without knowing our history, it can be difficult to know what needs repairing, what needs reconciling.” To live without a thoughtful, and often painful, exploration of who we are and how we came to be in the places we call home is to live out of a fractured and placeless identity, a reality that has plagued white settlers for generations. As Wendell Berry notes, “One of the peculiarities of the white race’s presence in America has been how little intention has been applied to it. As a people, wherever we have been, we have never really intended to be.” As Berry describes, white culture as a whole has historically viewed land as a resource, an exchangeable means to an end, in sharp contrast to many indigenous cultures in which land is recognized as both a sacred member of the community and a defining attribute of an individual’s life. The placeless language of ownership lends itself to exploitation rather than stewardship, and that lack of intention has often had destructive consequences for all surrounding communities:

human and biological. But when intentional listening and observation lead us into sorrow—and we sit with that sorrow, we allow it shape us—we engage the healing process of lament. “To lament means to express sorrow or regret,” Morrison continues. “Lamenting something horrific that has taken place allows a deep connection to form between the person lamenting and the harm that was done, and that emotional connection is the first step in creating a pathway for healing and hope. We have to sit in the sorrow, avoid trying to fix it right away, avoid our attempts to make it all okay. Only then is the pain useful. Only then can it lead us into healing and wisdom.” So often we (and by we, I mean in particular, white Americans like myself) avoid this bond of lamentation because it makes us uncomfortable. When we sit with the sorrow, without ignoring or fixing it, we are confronted by our role, active or complicit, in allowing the pain to take place. Whereas challenging the validity of the sorrow or grasping for a quick remedy allows us to distance ourselves from the suffering. Lament eradicates the buffer. As theologian Dr. Soong-Chan Rah explains, “Lament calls for an authentic encounter with the truth and challenges privilege, because privilege would hide the truth that creates discomfort.” Lament is not a process I fully understand how to engage well, but the voices of my neighbors make clear how desperately I need to do so. When a church member explains the fear he experiences walking the same streets I do, but in a Black body, my responsibility is not to refute his experience, or even to immediately try to fix it. My responsibility is first to receive his story—to mourn the brokenness and recognize my complicity in allowing this transgression to become commonplace. When I am reminded by a sign on the door as I walk into work that the land I steward was stripped from the Yaqui and Tohono O’odham, it is my responsibility to actively grieve that reality, and then to let that lament guide me to a stewardship that seeks the restoration of not only ecological relationships, but also the communal relationships that have been marred by over five centuries of exploitation. Lament does not offer easy solutions; it recognizes that there are none. Lament is also not immediately about doing something. It is about allowing something to be done to me— allowing my mind and my person to be reshaped by the pain from which I have benefited for so long. And only when lament has forged that deep connection can I begin to imagine and participate in real healing. Saint Jerome, one of the early monastic Desert Fathers, wrote, “The desert loves to strip bare.” It is for this reason that we must seek out the desert. We must sit among its dry washes, allow them to expose us, and listen, as it teaches us how to love. In the same way, white communities have a responsibility to seek out the spiritual, communal, and ecological deserts that have been left in the wake of our presence on this continent. They too will strip us bare as we listen to them and lament among them. The vulnerability they require will lead us into the posture of humility that healing necessitates.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joel Johnson is the Seed Production Technician at Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson, AZ. His work and writing can be viewed at www.NarrativesofPlace.com. WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 39

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: RIDING TOWARDS SUCCESS

“One of the things that makes horses rewarding and occasionally difficult animals to work with, is their affinity for learning. This also means that anytime you’re handling a horse, trainer or not, you’re providing reinforcement for previous training, or teaching a new set of skills (for better or for worse)”. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY HEIDI CRNKOVIC

etting the tone for your ride often begins before you step into the saddle. Assuming we’ve already met the horse’s needs by providing a quality diet, hoof care and well-fitting tack, we’ll provide a few tips to help you set out for success from the moment you step into pen, pasture or stall: 1. ATTITUDE: Assess your horse’s attitude when you go to catch them. Do they turn away, walk (or run) away, or worse, pin their ears or act aggressively, or do they react calmly and allow you to halter them politely and easily? A horse that reacts with resistance may need more work on the ground before you place yourself in a more vulnerable position in the saddle. 2. LEADING: Is leading your horse similar to flying a kite? Or does he willingly give to the halter, stopping when you stop, backing softly and willingly when pressure is applied? If not, work on gaining his attention and focus on the ground. 3. STANDING: Does your horse stand quietly while tied and saddled? Perhaps he needs to spend a little bit more time standing tied and learning or being reminded of patience. Even though it isn’t directly connected this tying tool will help greatly with leading, mounting and even riding. Plus, it’s just nice to have a horse that has a “park” option. After you’ve gotten some of these pieces put together with a little bit more consistency, I like to take into consideration my part in making the horse comfortable and confident as I prepare to step on. 1. SADDLE PAD: “Tent” or pull your saddle pad up between the gullet of the saddle to provide wither relief. 2. CINCH: Secure your front cinch first, but don’t pull it all the way tight (and certainly don’t cut him in half with it) until your horse has had a moment to take a breath or two, and maybe even until he’s untied. For example, my sequence goes something like this: snug cinch, attach back cinch and breast collar, untie and bridle, tighten cinch a little more, walk the horse a few steps, tighten up the rest of the way, walk a few more steps and then mount. This PG. 40 :: FALL 2020

isn’t a long process, but you rarely make one cinch-ie if you give them a little time to mull it over. 3. MOUNTING: Mount your horses and make them stand quietly. You’re rarely in as vulnerable of a position as you are when you’re pulling yourself up onto a pony with one foot ready to get snagged in a potential death trap. Take the time to do it right. I have a little bit of a similar process when mounting as I do when saddling. I might pull the saddle a little bit before I step on, so they know I’m coming and then climb up. Some days, I might pull their head around a little bit while they stand there, and other days, I might just sit and enjoy the scenery for a few minutes before I turn them around in another direction and then walk or trot off. A key component to keeping a horse good to mount and stand is not allowing the horse to take a step forward at any point while you’re mounting them. It sure helps to keep them that way if you make them turn around and ride off in the opposite direction. 4.THE END: Probably just as important as the beginning of the ride is the end. If they’re hot and sweaty, rinse them off. If they’re antsy about being unsaddled and fed, let them stand tied and wait. Take the time to put them away correctly, and they’ll be better next time you take them out. The goal is to end on a good note each and every time. Thinking about a few of these pieces that will help in the making of a good horse or the keeping of an honest one honest. In turn, you’ll improve your rides, your horse, and your mood. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks, and in the meantime, enjoy the ride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: With an innate fondness for Western heritage and a lifelong passion for the agricultural industry, Heidi Crnkovic is a New Mexico native and a New Mexico State University graduate with a B.S. in Agricultural Science. Heidi’s professional career has been dedicated to the ranching and cattle industry and currently, she is a 4-H agent for Otero County. She and her husband Kenton live in Tularosa, New Mexico with their daughter, Abigail who is a member of Otero County 4-H’s Cloverbud program

WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 41

FALL BOOK REVIEW: MEL POTTER AND FRIENDS Ed Ashurst latest book Mel Potter and Friends is a tremendous testament to one of rodeo and ranchings long time ambassadors. Ed did a tremendous job of putting eight and a half decades of Mel Potter between 307 pages! I know Mel’s wife Wendy, will refer to this book as the Cliff Notes of Mel. I’m sure other people have thought about writing a book about Mel’s interesting life, only someone of Ed Ashurst’s intimate knowledge of rodeo and ranching could appropriately document such an incredible life! In a typical Mel Potter fashion, the book couldn’t be just about Him. Mel shares stories about a horses, airplanes and friends on every page of the book. Ed left some blank pages in the back of the book so you can write in your own Mel Potter

story. Mel Potter has certainly lived a life that will last a lot longer than he does. I really enjoyed the book and love Ed Ashurst’s writing. ABOUT ED ASHURST: Ed Ashurst is the author of seven other books. He is also a working cowboy who has ridden and gathered cattle and horses on over seven thousand square miles of the American West accumulating over fifty years of experience as a big ranch cowboy. He currently manages a large cattle ranch in Southeastern Arizona. He has also been involved in producing rodeos and horse shows as well as horse sales and has competed in the rodeo arena for over fifty years. His books are about his life’s experiences covering different aspects and scenes that race across his vivid memory and water a fertile imagination. All that he has written originated from stories that are well worn from being told many times. He believes that storytelling is an art form that is no less important than painting or sculpting and people say that his books read as if the storyteller is there in person. Other books by Ed include; Alligators in the Moat: Politics and the Mexican Border, Miracle or Coincidence?, Stealin’ From The Neighbors, Real Cowboys; Grand Canyon to Mexico, and Wagon Boss: A True Cowboy Story.

FROM THE HEART: THOUGHTS FROM LEANN HEART I don’t know about you but I often find myself praying to God to give me something! Anything, just whatever I am in need of in the moment to get through the day. Yesterday, I was about to say a prayer that was gonna go something like this, “Lord help me have peace in this pasture as we were about to sort 2 of our bulls off from the neighbors herd...” I literally felt like he whispered back to me so fast with a question, “Why are you asking for what you already have?” You see its impossible for God not to be God! If I believe that statement then God is peace and since I believe in Jesus Christ as the Risen Son of God I actually have peace within me. All I need to do is choose it & then apply it! Right? It’s so much easier to say it or type it out. I mean what does prayer truly mean to me? Its where I seek God but am I receiving God, then applying His Word? Prayer is talking to God but its more than sending my needs and request. Yes, those are parts of my prayers but prayer is more than that. Israel looked to the Tabernacle as a place of prayer. It was never actually called the Tabernacle though, it was called the Mishkan. It comes from the Hebrew Word, Shakan, which means to dwell. There is so much more to the Mishkan but this is what the Lord has given me for whomever is reading this word trying to get themselves PG. 42 :: SPRING 2020

back in the middle when it comes to dwelling with God. You see dwelling places create more dwelling places. Prayer isn’t just an action, it’s a meeting, an encounter. Prayer is about dwelling! It’s the dwelling place of you and God coming together. It’s about being present in the presence of God. Mishkan also means the remaining, the continuing, the abiding and the inhabiting. It’s finding peace in His Peace. Its finding Joy in His Joy. Its finding hope in His Hope. So this prayer may seem simple because it isn’t a long one but it is a deep one of dwelling. Heavenly Father it is impossible for you not to be you. Today, I choose to remain in your peace because you are peace. I choose to dwell and be present in your presence. I choose to remind myself that when I submit myself to you, resist the devil and believe that in the name of Jesus he will flee from me, that it is done. As I choose to move with you I trust you are moving with me. So thank you for reminding me you are always wherever I am and all I need to do is let you handle whats trying to handle me, in Jesus name Amen. Follow LeAnn at #jwandlee or visit www.leannhartministries.com

across the state of Arizona advocating for agriculture education & the FFA organization – truly bleeding the blue and gold. I studied Agriculture Technology Management & Education at The University of Arizona and student taught with Mr. Lance Fite at Safford High School. I spent the next three years teaching secondary vocational agriculture education and advising the FFA chapter in rural Arizona. Working to align state standards with local relevant curriculum all while building community within my program were the cornerstones to a successful, but short, time in the education world. Those three years were filled with student achievement success in and out of the classroom, the lowest of low days more times than not accompanied by the highest of highs, milestone achievements as an early career teacher, and professional experiences that still to this day play a relevant role in my life. I took a leap of faith this spring in deciding that it was time for a career change. Time to step out of the formal role of an educator and find my place in the industry. I am so excited to be working with consumers and retail locations to help educate folks on how Cargill products can help their animals, find solutions to problems, and continue to be a positive advocate for the agriculture industry. The agriculture industry in my opinion is the most important industry in the world. We are tasked with feeding millions that depend on our producers both on the sides of animal and plant production. As a representative of Cargill, it is my duty to live up to our mission of helping the world thrive.

FROM AG TEACHER TO FEED SALES REP. MEET JUSTEN OLLENDICK Having the knowledge and understanding of the challenges that face the animal agriculture industry has been helpful in transitioning from being a secondary vocational agriculture teacher & FFA advisor to a feed sales representative with one of the largest companies in the industry. With a background in livestock production, putting yourself in the shoes of the consumer and having an understanding of what they deal with day-to-day proves to be valuable. Having that understanding helps to ensure that I am able to ensure they are finding the products and being provided the resources to raise and care for healthy animals. I grew up in Queen Creek, Arizona long before it was developed into cookie cutter neighborhoods and shopping plazas – back when the fields were as far as the eye could see. I was immersed in production agriculture from the day I was born, often times horseback with my dad at a jackpot roping. Throughout my early years and into high school I was heavily involved in the local 4-H club and then the FFA chapter at Gilbert High School under which I exhibited market livestock at local jackpot shows, county fairs, the Arizona State Fair and national shows. My time in “ag class” is where I found my calling and inspiration to become an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor; under the guidance of three world class educators, Mr. Dennis Bushong, Mr. Ken Johnson, and Miss Marci Alderman. But that was just the start of the success story. After high school, I went on to become a state FFA officer serving nearly 12,000 members

GET IN TOUCH: Justen Ollendick, Retail Account Representative, Cargill Animal Nutrition Arizona/California Direct: 520-507-8952 Toll free: 1-888-247-8066 Justen_Ollendick@cargill.com

FALL FUNNIES

WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 43

REAL ESTATE: COWBOY LOGIC

‘It is what it is’ In life I have come to know there are many things we cannot control, or change. In ranching; the price of cows, hay, fuel and other expenses are not things we can control, therefore, ‘it is what it is’. ARTICLE BY ANGELA LEIST

y life has taken me far from the world that I was raised in and dropped me in a role that I could never have dreamed, even in a million years. I am Angela Leist and I was raised in a small village in rural Australia. After spending five years at a boarding school in Sydney, I went to college and ended up with a rather useless Bachelor

PG. 44 :: FALL 2020

of Arts degree. At the age of 23, while on a scholarship to train horses in the U.S. I found myself at the Arizona Cowpunchers Reunion in Williams, Arizona where I met my husband. We were married two weeks later. Currently we run a family sized cattle ranch in the high desert of Central Arizona located in rugged country between Trout Creek and the Big Sandy.

When we decided to list our ranch for sale last year, I called Tamra Kelly at Ag Lands Southwest. After spending a day with Tamra touring, discussing and studying our ranch to prepare its listing, I became excited about the idea of becoming a ranch real estate agent. After some intense, rapid studying and a few tests, now low and behold, I am a licensed, active real estate agent. I’ve hung my license under Ag Lands Southwest, and have another feather in my cap. I have become a wife, mother of four, rancher and ranch real estate agent all in the span of six years, and I am still to hit the big 3-0, mind you. The life I have lived in this short time has given me a unique view, and while I still act my age occasionally, I have learned some tiny bits of ‘cowboy logic’ that help me get through both my daily walk, as well as navigate my way through my new professions as a rancher and a ranch real estate agent. ‘Read the situation’ Some days I wish it wasn’t true but the fact is, cows do not talk, and people often say one thing, but mean another. But if you pay attention and have a bit of knowledge to back it up you can read between the lines and make decisions on the fly to help the day go smoothly. Like learning how to read words, reading cattle can be broken down into simple parts like letters in the alphabet; body language, physical characteristics and daily routines are the basis of understanding cow behavior and developing ‘cow sense’. Throw in different breeds of cattle, weather, calving, predators and the effect of human handling on a cow and you have a much more complex story to understand. Being able to ‘read the situation’ while working with cows, could mean that the cow that has been fighting you to go in the line out and go has a little baby that was left behind, maybe she is tight bagged and a lion got the better of it, maybe she is that cow you bought from the sale that day and hasn’t been handled well in the past, but the decision you make next is

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WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 45

crucial, do you pull your rope down or let her go back to get her baby? The quicker you can develop ‘cow sense’ and are able to ‘Read the situation’, then the quicker you are on your way to being helpful to someone handling cattle, instead of just filling a hole. ‘It is what it is’ In life I have come to know there are many things we cannot control, or change. In ranching; the price of cows, hay, fuel and other expenses are not things we can control, therefore, ‘it is what it is’. In ranch real estate I have also found this to be true. I feel as though a lot of ranch sales can be broken down into a few algorithms on a page, how much, how many cows, break up of the land and a list of the improvements. The ranch i s w hat the ranch is. There is no way around it. I live in some of the most beautiful, rugged and challenging country in the United States of America. Personally, the sight of the cactus blooming and the crimson sunsets, mild winters as well as the wide open spaces and lower cost of living are big advantages to living in this area. To another they might not be. It is very important to discuss things with a potential buyer like, ‘are you familiar with desert ranching?’, because here the ranch ‘is what it is’. You may have to haul water and it is likely through the summer you will be in triple digits. But once those things are made clear, and the pros and cons of the area are truthfully and thoroughly explained, then many people start to see the desert in a totally different light. PG. 46 :: FALL 2020

‘Hustle’ This attribute, I feel is the most mistaken for the action of ‘hurry’, but the terms are absolutely not interchangeable. To hurry, in ranching terms, is to move from point A to point B in as quickly as possible. To hustle on the other hand denotes the fact that while you may be moving at a slightly quicker speed you have to have awareness of every little thing going on around you, and the sense to do the things that need doing along the way. For example, checking waters may be the most underrated job on a cattle ranch. If you live in Arizona though, checking your waters effectively is 75 percent of your job. In relation to real estate, ‘Hustle’ is everything. From the minute you decide to go through your schooling and become a real estate agent, I feel like you know if you are cut out for the job. If doing your school is difficult for you, it is probably time to choose another profession. Because selling ranches is something that shouldn’t require a lot of hard thinking. You need to be available, willing and always thinking of how you can help your client, buyer or seller achieve their goals. It is about matching the right people with the right ranches. And that requires answering a lot of phone calls, emails, early meetings, and late night conference calls. As a buyer I have seen first-hand what happens when you do not jump at the opportunities that are presented to you. And as an agent I don’t want any of my clients to ever feel as though they have missed out because of lack of HUSTLE on my behalf! ‘Timing is everything’ While the world turns upside down through the effects of COVID-19, with unemployment through the roof and businesses shut down throughout the nation as well as the world, it may surprise you all to hear that ranch sales in our area of the world have actually spiked! There are many factors which I believe have spurred this reaction. Perhaps folks are wanting to be part of an essential business, realizing that the security of being a primary producer means that your job is rather secure. Maybe the dreamers who are at home unable to work have more time to search the internet for their dream job, or the idea of living in a secluded location away from others has never been more inviting. Before COVID-19, living out of the cities, ten miles down a dirt

road off the grid with no neighbors might not have been a positive choice for many families. If you are buying or selling I feel as though right now the market is moving and many people are setting things into motion to change the rest of their lives. When the timing is right, the decision to do something is easy, or at least easier. Overall, I have found that as a rancher and real estate agent there are many times where one has to be flexible, adaptable and ready for their day to have unexpected turns, and to just take it in your stride, all while maintaining a good attitude. A bit of cowboy logic when buying ranches, running a ranch or raising a family, I assure you, will go a long way. It sure has helped this Aussie gal to settle into a new world, and a new life, in the greatest country in the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Angela Leist is an Associate with Ag Lands Southwest, LLC who, with her husband, owns and operates a family cattle ranch in Mohave County, Arizona. ABOUT AG LANDS SOUTHWEST, LLC: Tamra Kelly, Owner and Designated Broker of Ag Lands Southwest, LLC a real estate agency representing both buyers and sellers of working cattle ranches, farms and other agricultural properties in Arizona and New Mexico.

LARRY SCHNELL INSTALLED AS LMA PRESIDENT FOR 2020-2022 TERM PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION

Overland Park, Kansas – Larry Schnell of Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange in Dickinson, North Dakota, was installed president of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) at the 2020 Annual LMA Membership Meeting, held virtually on Sunday, August 23. Schnell will complete a two-year term leading the nation’s largest, livestock marketing association that represents more than 800 local livestock auction markets and allied businesses. Schnell’s family holds a strong history in the livestock marketing industry. In 1937, Schnell’s grandfather, Ray, founded Schnell’s Livestock Auction Market in Dickinson, N.D., using chicken wire fence for a sale ring. In 1977, Schnell became partners with his father and two other individuals, taking over as general manager in 1985. Currently, Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange has two locations in Dickinson and is owned by Larry and his partner, James Erickson. As LMA President and a market owner, Schnell is actively involved in several livestock industry issues, including the ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) packer investigations.

“At this time, the most important industry issue we face is the finished cattle pricing system and how to make it more equitable,” Schnell said. “LMA has been very strong in supporting USDA’s and the DOJ’s investigations looking into the pricing system and seeing if there is anything illegal or unfair. ” Additionally, Schnell looks forward to serving his two-year term as president, and continued involvement with LMA and its members. “I look forward to working with the other committee members, and especially our members across the nation, on topics important to the cattle industry,” Schnell said. “I believe that LMA is a very effective organization for the industry and we hope to keep it that way.” Aside from LMA, Schnell is also involved in a variety of other organizations and activities. He was formerly the Chairman of the North Dakota Beef Council, Regional Vice President for the Federation of State Beef Councils, President of the North Dakota Auctioneers Association and President of the North Dakota Livestock Marketing Associations. Schnell is a former team and calf roper, hockey coach and Elder at Evangelical Christian Church in Dickinson. He is also an avid golfer and adult bible school teacher. ABOUT THE LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION - The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through support, representation and communication efforts. For more information, visit www.LMAWeb.com.

. -CLAY PARSONS, RANCHER AND OWNER OF MARANA STOCKYARDS DOES WESTERN AG LIFE MAGAZINE GET DELIVERED TO YOUR HEADQUARTERS? SUBSCRIBE TODAY: WESTERNAGLIFE.COM

WESTERN AG LIFE .COM :: PG 47

LLC

PG. 48 :: FALL 2020

Western Ag Life Magazine - Fall 2020

Articles inside

LARRY SCHNELL INSTALLED AS LMA PRESIDENT FOR 2020-2022 TERM

LARRY SCHNELL INSTALLED AS LMA PRESIDENT FOR 2020-2022 TERM

WESTERN REAL ESTATE

WESTERN REAL ESTATE

WESTERN LIFE UPDATES

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

LISTEN & LAMENT

LISTEN & LAMENT

ARIZONA FARM & RANCH REPORT

THERE’S A NEW CROP IN TOWN

WESTERN STYLE GUIDE: RE-RIDE STORIES

BUYING GUIDE - BUY BEEF DIRECT

Q & A: WITH COURTENAY DEHOFF

FROM THE KITCHEN

WESTERN CONSERVATION

THE LIFE OF A RANCH WIFE

WESTERN MUSIC

FROM THE AUCTION BLOCK

FARMING :: THE STORY OF OUR FARM LIFE