America’s Cattlemen–Not Just Raising Cattle

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Out of all the things I learned about cattlemen, ranches, and feedyards, the thing that made the most impact on me over those two days was how much of a family affair this industry really is.

These families didn’t just invite us into their operations to see how they’re run, they invited us into their homes, and we met their children and ate with them, and got to know them as we drove long distances with them.

At the Minert-Simonson cow/calf operation, J.W. and his wife Cindy put out a spread for us. We chatted with their daughters, and Brett their ranch hand, did a great job with cutting up the brisket for us .

At 14 and 11 the Simonson’s daughters muck out stalls, raise their own goats and help round the cattle up. When I asked their oldest daughter if she wanted to keep the family ranching tradition alive when she was older, she said she wasn’t sure. And that’s one of the reasons that J.W. is involved in programs in his community to help get the kids of Nebraska to stay there and continue the industry of ranching. I was shocked to learn that the average age of a cattle rancher is 61, so programs like that are essential to the community.

At the T&E Cattle Co., Greg Baxter showed us around his father’s office, which has a rich history of the cattle industry, showcasing photos and saddles from multiple generations. The Baxter family is also very involved in their community from serving as leadership and helping to develop and sustain a local race track where families from the area can be involved at.

The first day concluded with all three of the host feedyard families along with those of us that were on the tour and the experts that were brought along with us, breaking bread (or rather brisket!) together at the home of the Bosshammer family. Ann Marie Bosshammer is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Beef Council.

It was so much fun to watch the children of the families share their knowledge and passion for the beef industry. One of the boys is already involved in judging livestock for local community events and is a real credit to his parents and what it means to be a part of feeding families all over the world. It puts the family in perspective when you hear these kids say they’re okay with the fact that Christmas present opening has to wait until after the cattle is fed. The work is so much more than just about the feedyard owner and his crew, the family comes into play so much.

Ann Marie and her family put on a superb dinner after we had been on the go all day, but she had a surprise for dessert, and what a surprise it was.

Homemade ice cream made with an ingredient from…a bull sperm canister? LOL.

There’s nothing like making ice cream in the heartland of America! In actuality all that is in the contents of the container is the liquid nitrogen that keeps the sperm viable – no actual sperm went into the making of this ice cream!

My thanks go out to all of the people that made my time On the Ranch educational and interesting. The NCBA, the Beef Checkoff, the Nebraska Beef Council, Ketchum PR, T&E Cattle Co., Minert-Simonson Ranch, Dr. Gatz Riddell and the other members of the tour.

Just when you thought I was done with the cattle….guess where I’m going in July…to a dairy farm! LOL – they’re determined to get this city girl edumacated!

I was taken on a tour sponsored by the Beef Checkoff with a group of influencers and experts to get a first hand look at where consumer’s beef comes from. All expenses were paid, however all opinions in the posts are my own and were not swayed by that.