Having 200 cow-calf pairs is never fun during the winter months to maintain. Getting up at 7:00 in the morning to feed cattle, tagging calves, eating lunch, then tagging more calves turns cattle producers into creatures of habit. Add a four letter word to their schedule and they will become upset. Snow and snow and more snow. This winter we saw record snowfall amounts and record cold temperatures.
Just when we thought the winter was awful, mother nature continued to pile on precipitation with excessive amounts of rain that flooded parts of the state. Farmers all over Iowa are still dealing with flooded acres with complete loss in some areas.
If there is one thing that agriculturalists know better than anyone else, it’s that things don’t always work their way. So many factors all working against one person, yet they stay the course. They know things will get better and refuse to abandon ship when things get tough.
Something my dad always told me was that if farming was easy, everybody would be doing it. As young agriculturalists, we get the opportunity to feed people and have fun while doing it. One thing I’ve learned from working on a farm my entire life, is that change may be hard, but is necessary when things can never be the same. Be willing to change, but never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in and stick the course.
In life we will be handed obstacles and challenges that we may not be prepared for or we don’t want. They may deter us from completing our objectives, or even help us. When times get tough, and we think we can’t go anymore, persevere and keep fighting. If you don’t get elected to chapter office, get more involved in FFA. Go to a new conference and redeem yourself so next year you can get better. Always remember to stick the course.
In Blue and Gold,
Tyler Comes
2019-2020 SW State Vice President
