This weekend I gratefully had the opportunity to catch up on some sleep and catch some rays! Last Thursday evening I had my first opportunity to attend a new movie release in Lincoln. It was the final film for the Harry Potter series (yes I am a slight nerd), and it was simply outstanding!! It was such an experience to wait in line for 3 hours and 2 blocks, but seeing all the outfits and crazy HP fans, it was definitely worth it!
It was truly the experience of a lifetime, but some may call me foolish for doing so. You see I had to be at a packing plant on Friday morning at 7 am. And did I mention this plant was close to a 3 hour drive from Lincoln?? Needless to say, I did not get any sleep Thursday evening...I guess that is the price you pay while in grad school! After leaving the movie theater, a fellow graduate student and I headed to campus to pack the car and headed west shortly after 3:30 am.
We arrived at the plant shortly after 6 am and were welcomed with rendering's infamous smell. It brought back the memories of my internship with Tyson Foods in Garden City, KS. As a Junior at Iowa State I was beginning to formulate my career path and wanted a strong internship in the meat industry. Not only did I accomplish this goal, but also gained an insight to the packing industry and an appreciation for the food system in the US. Many Americans take our food production system and supply for granted. The US has one of the safest food programs in the world, and did I mention the most economical?? For Americans 5% of disposable income is spent on buying food. When compared to Europe (20% of disposable income) and the Middle East (50% of disposable income) we should feel blessed!!
It literally gives me chills every time I step foot in a packing plant. Not because the harvesting of animals, but of the beauty and efficiency that lies within. I used to spend hours on a catwalk over the kill floor at Garden City. To some this may be obscene, but to me it was a choreographed dance that was so beautiful. It had employees from different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, but aside from their differences they were working together to supply the US and the globe with safe and wholesome beef to the rhythm of the chain.
After a few short hours in the plant, we had successfully collected our data for my research project and headed back to Lincoln. I am sooo excited my project is finally starting and in a few short months I will be able to share/explain the importance of research project to you as well as the beef industry!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
teamwork
This past weekend I traveled back to Iowa...again!! My beautiful cousin Sarah married her boyfriend of 8 years on Saturday (and I thought I had it bad waiting for 4.5 years, yikes!)
I left Lincoln on Thursday evening, after my final class in ALEC 805. Although I greatly enjoyed the Ag Ed and Leadership course, I am glad it is over. Whoever thought summer classes were a good idea obviously did not take one!
Friday was a busy day for Chasen and I so we got up at 7:00. He had hay to rake, and I needed to pack and do morning chores. For those of you that don't know, Chasen and his brother Kirn raise show calves and replacement heifers. This year at the Iowa State Fair Stevenson Farms will debut their stock at the prospect calf show! I am super excited for them and can't wait for show day to roll around, although it will be here before we know it!
Anyway, Friday morning I needed to sort off the three steer calves in practice of day weaning. We have found this is least stressful for the calves as they are able to be reunited with their mommas in the evening. Luckily two of the calves escaped from the pasture and were walking in the barn as I came out of the house! I mean how does that happen?! I must have supreme sorting skills! Little did I know the third calf would present more of a challenge.
I brought the 5 cows and red calf, that I like to name Leon, into the corral. At this time Tamra, Chasen's mom came out of the house to help. Tamra in her pajama pants ran the gate while I successfully sorted off the calf from the cows. I was feeling pretty good since it only took one real try. We then moved a gate to herd the calf into the barn and he strolled right in. We were so busy celebrating our success that we didn't see 50P creeping up to the gate. Next thing I know she pushes the gate over and joins the calves in their stalls. OMG!!! A mere diaster was now upon our hands!! I could hear Kirn and Chasen yelling at us because the panels would get knocked over, wood chips strewn across the barn, and even worse escapees from the North side of the barn! It took us a few minutes and with barking cheers from Roxie (my adorable corgi I had been holding this entire time!) we were able to shoo 50P back into the corral as Chasen was driving up the lane.
Man what a day and it was only 9:00! Tamra and I shared a good laugh as we walked back to the house to get some coffee.
From this experience and others, I have learned no matter the skill or knowledge level, a helping hand is always valued on the farm. I must say I was sure glad to have Tamra's that morning!
I left Lincoln on Thursday evening, after my final class in ALEC 805. Although I greatly enjoyed the Ag Ed and Leadership course, I am glad it is over. Whoever thought summer classes were a good idea obviously did not take one!
Friday was a busy day for Chasen and I so we got up at 7:00. He had hay to rake, and I needed to pack and do morning chores. For those of you that don't know, Chasen and his brother Kirn raise show calves and replacement heifers. This year at the Iowa State Fair Stevenson Farms will debut their stock at the prospect calf show! I am super excited for them and can't wait for show day to roll around, although it will be here before we know it!
Anyway, Friday morning I needed to sort off the three steer calves in practice of day weaning. We have found this is least stressful for the calves as they are able to be reunited with their mommas in the evening. Luckily two of the calves escaped from the pasture and were walking in the barn as I came out of the house! I mean how does that happen?! I must have supreme sorting skills! Little did I know the third calf would present more of a challenge.
I brought the 5 cows and red calf, that I like to name Leon, into the corral. At this time Tamra, Chasen's mom came out of the house to help. Tamra in her pajama pants ran the gate while I successfully sorted off the calf from the cows. I was feeling pretty good since it only took one real try. We then moved a gate to herd the calf into the barn and he strolled right in. We were so busy celebrating our success that we didn't see 50P creeping up to the gate. Next thing I know she pushes the gate over and joins the calves in their stalls. OMG!!! A mere diaster was now upon our hands!! I could hear Kirn and Chasen yelling at us because the panels would get knocked over, wood chips strewn across the barn, and even worse escapees from the North side of the barn! It took us a few minutes and with barking cheers from Roxie (my adorable corgi I had been holding this entire time!) we were able to shoo 50P back into the corral as Chasen was driving up the lane.
Man what a day and it was only 9:00! Tamra and I shared a good laugh as we walked back to the house to get some coffee.
From this experience and others, I have learned no matter the skill or knowledge level, a helping hand is always valued on the farm. I must say I was sure glad to have Tamra's that morning!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
in the heat of it all
Well I can finally say summer is here!! This past week in both Eastern Nebraska and Southern Iowa temps have been in the 90s with the heat index. Although I must admit this weather is perfect for tanning, boating, swimming, grilling, and all the latter, it sure makes for hot work during haying.
Today Chasen was able to mow the second cutting of alfalfa. It is crazy to think at this time last year many farmers and ranchers in the Midwest were getting around to doing their first cutting. Alfalfa hay is an important part to cattle farming in the Midwest as it is the cows main feed source during the winter. Making sure the hay is cut mid-afternoon (a point in time at which the stems contain high amounts of sugar, yum), sun/wind-dried for a few days, raked, and bailed all before Mother Nature has a chance to rain on it can be a bit of a challenge!
Earlier this spring Chasen had bought both a mower and baler (I actually found the mower on Craig's List--who would have thought!). It has been a bit of a learning process for Chasen and his brother, learning how to manage their time and machinery. Good thing they have cousin Kyle around to help every now and then!
Being involved in a family farm, other than my Hosch farming roots sure brings a smile to my face. Although farming with family can be challenging, it also has it's rewards. The support, love, laughter, and passion that thrives in family farms cannot be found with any other occupation. I am proud to say farming is a part of my heritage and has made me passionate and optimistic about a future in the industry. But most importantly, I can't wait to start a farm family of my own, and to instill the work ethic and deep agriculture roots that have made me who I am!!
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