Working Ranch Blog
Checkoff Tour by Brett Haas
Jun. 7 2010, 10:38 PM
Jun. 7 2010, 10:38 PM
One of the challenges we as producers have, is to get an accurate message to consumers about what, why, and how we raise our livestock. I write so I can put a face behind that steak on their plate. I want the consumer to understand the blood, sweat, and tears that I've poured into my cattle. I know that I can only convey so much through a blog. That's why when the ranch has an opportunity to host a group on tour, we jump at every chance we can get. This last Thursday we had that chance.
The Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska Beef Councils went on a long circle and gathered in a group of 47 dieticians for the "A Nutrition Adventure: Explore the Power of Protein" tour. They came from as far as New York (Upstate, that is. For some reason they emphasized that?), Minnesota, Nebraska, and Utah. A few from Kansas and Missouri came along for the ride as well. Kirk and I met them for lunch to start things off at Bichelmeyer's Steakhouse, a fine local establishment here in Tonganoxie with one of the coolest old time bars you'll ever see.
After a fine chicken dinner (just kidding) we hopped back on the bus and headed for a few stops around the ranch. Our first stop was at our rotational grazing system to view some yearling heifers. Kirk introduced himself and began to explain our A.I. (Artificial Insemination) program and our rotational pasture system. Then we took the scenic route around the east side of the ranch, but unfortunately didn't see too many cattle as they were all shaded up by then.
(L to R) Kevin Thielen, Chris Dirks, Buck Weirbein, Patti Dollarhide, and Kirk Sours. Buck is answering a question here. Being from a feedlot, he seemed to get the most attention.
After a bit we finally arrived at headquarters. There we had a panel discussion that included Kirk Sours from Tailgate and Chris Dirks from Missouri to cover cow-calf operations. Buck Weirbein, from Meade Cattle Company in Nebraska covered feedlots. Patti Dollarhide, from Cargill, covered the packers. Kevin Thielen, from the Kansas Beef Council, moderated. Needless to say, the questions were flying like bottle rockets on the fourth of July. I think Buck and Patti got most of the questions. This really wasn't surprising since feedlots and packers seem to be the point of contention with a lot of folks unfamiliar with how they work. I think we did a lot of good here. The group asked some great questions. The usual suspects of antibiotics and growth hormones came up. Animal welfare was a hot topic as well. The panel stressed over and over a point that seems to be missed by a lot of folks. Simply put, if you take care of your animals they take care of you. There is no financial advantage to stressed out critters. The industry as a whole has gone to great lengths to ensure this. Patti from Cargill has actually studied under Temple Grandin. She explained to the group how Grandin revolutionized cattle handling techniques. She also explained the lengths that Cargill specifically has gone to ensure the animals are treated humanely by installing a video monitoring system, and rewarding employees who demonstrate an ability to effectively do their jobs. She also talked of the cleanliness of the harvesting process to ensure that e-coli is a non-factor through the washing of hides and carcasses.
Here's Kirk giving a talk on low-stress handling and how our facilities give us an advantage in tending to our cattle.
After the panel, we moved down to our working facilities to demo how we like to handle our cattle in a stress-free environment and how we have backed this desire by spending good money on quality handling equipment. The pump for our hydraulic system is set up in a separate area, so we were able to operate the squeeze chute and talk to them at the same time. After a bit they all ventured down to the working area themselves for a closer look. I demonstrated how you can move cattle by working off the balance point in the snake alleyway. Citing Temple Grandin, I explained to the group how you can move cattle naturally by setting up your alleyway to allow them to move in a circle as they would on their own. The idea is you get the cow's attention, start in front of her, move towards her, and once you get past her shoulder (the balance point), she'll squirt past you.
Soon the questions began to roll. We covered everything from the Spring and Fall works, to calving season, to more animal welfare questions, and even a question or two about Sampson. Needless to say I had a ball.
What I've found most from talking to those unfamiliar with ranch life, who really want to understand, is that they just don't. We had a great opportunity to straighten out a lot of misperceptions about our industry. They had a chance to put a face with the food on their plate. I kept hearing over and over again how relieved they were and that we had armed them with enough info to counter the seemingly endless supply of misinformation from some in the media. Hopefully they will take the message back to those that I can't reach. After all, chances are that most of the folks who read this blog are already familiar to an extent with ranching. A lot of times I feel like I'm preaching to the choir. This opportunity, however, allowed us to welcome in those who have never warmed a newborn calf, been to a branding, or said goodbye to a pot load of steers in the Spring after caring for them all winter. Hopefully, we left 'em with a little something that they can take back home. Then, after the next abuse video comes forth, and a spokesperson for P.U.T.A. claims that this is the industry norm, those dieticians can tell their friends the real story.
Do you host tours at your ag operation? Tell me about it at thekansascowboy36@gmail.com. Also, mosey on over to Facebook and Twitter and give me a shout.
The Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska Beef Councils went on a long circle and gathered in a group of 47 dieticians for the "A Nutrition Adventure: Explore the Power of Protein" tour. They came from as far as New York (Upstate, that is. For some reason they emphasized that?), Minnesota, Nebraska, and Utah. A few from Kansas and Missouri came along for the ride as well. Kirk and I met them for lunch to start things off at Bichelmeyer's Steakhouse, a fine local establishment here in Tonganoxie with one of the coolest old time bars you'll ever see.
After a fine chicken dinner (just kidding) we hopped back on the bus and headed for a few stops around the ranch. Our first stop was at our rotational grazing system to view some yearling heifers. Kirk introduced himself and began to explain our A.I. (Artificial Insemination) program and our rotational pasture system. Then we took the scenic route around the east side of the ranch, but unfortunately didn't see too many cattle as they were all shaded up by then.
(L to R) Kevin Thielen, Chris Dirks, Buck Weirbein, Patti Dollarhide, and Kirk Sours. Buck is answering a question here. Being from a feedlot, he seemed to get the most attention.
Here's Kirk giving a talk on low-stress handling and how our facilities give us an advantage in tending to our cattle.
Soon the questions began to roll. We covered everything from the Spring and Fall works, to calving season, to more animal welfare questions, and even a question or two about Sampson. Needless to say I had a ball.
What I've found most from talking to those unfamiliar with ranch life, who really want to understand, is that they just don't. We had a great opportunity to straighten out a lot of misperceptions about our industry. They had a chance to put a face with the food on their plate. I kept hearing over and over again how relieved they were and that we had armed them with enough info to counter the seemingly endless supply of misinformation from some in the media. Hopefully they will take the message back to those that I can't reach. After all, chances are that most of the folks who read this blog are already familiar to an extent with ranching. A lot of times I feel like I'm preaching to the choir. This opportunity, however, allowed us to welcome in those who have never warmed a newborn calf, been to a branding, or said goodbye to a pot load of steers in the Spring after caring for them all winter. Hopefully, we left 'em with a little something that they can take back home. Then, after the next abuse video comes forth, and a spokesperson for P.U.T.A. claims that this is the industry norm, those dieticians can tell their friends the real story.
Do you host tours at your ag operation? Tell me about it at thekansascowboy36@gmail.com. Also, mosey on over to Facebook and Twitter and give me a shout.
