I have learned (rather quickly) that the sentiment of the city folks is "ranchers are unintelligent," or "uneducated." Maybe it's because of the vernacular held by the rancher, maybe it's because of his rough hands, or mannerisms. Maybe it's because the city rarely cares to get to know the rancher that supplies their wants and needs - an invisible step in the transaction- or more harshly -the taken foregranted step in the supply chain."Ranch to table" fancy buzz words, rarely does the yuppy understand the work that goes into his table setting.
From the Ground up
A great rancher especially a generational rancher- holds more understanding of conservation, land management, animal husbandry and genetics than most esteemed scientists. A great many ranchers we meet not only have a college education, but advanced degrees. The education of the university notwithstanding - the education comes from years of experience. In this case 30 years of ranch ownership, and building a ranching business literally from the ground up.Â
This weekend we were blessed to document the third branding of our year, The Kiowa Red Angus Ranch in Lyman, Nebraska. This small ranch has been hit hard by the lack of moisture, Mike has reduced his herd but not his love for his lifestyle. We were regaled with stories of current market situations, shown samples of his lifetime worth of genetics working, and introduced to the story of his ranch, pasture management beef husbandry, and genetic design. We listened to the history of the Scotch-Irish and French settlers from Canada into the northern territories of what would become the US.
Neighbor helping Neighbor
Neighbors came in from surrounding ranches and dairy farms to help gather and sort, vaccinate, and brand the new calves. Old horsemen, young cowboys, kids wanting to learn the family trade, or just "how to be a hand". Men, women, and children worked equally hard side by side. They also played equally hard, ribbed one another, and showed pride in one another.
Passing the Education Baton My favorite part of branding is passing down the skills. Skills that are lost to so many in our "more polished" parts of the United States. Work ethic doesn't just include waking early, and going to bed late. Work ethic it also includes ethical care of 100s other lives. The bulls, cows, calves. The care of horses, dogs, a good barn cat or two. Not to mention the care of your brother, your sister, and your neighbor. All this education- in a simple ranching man's branding.
