1. Start each day with gratitude
Focus on your blessings and the things you are thankful for.
2. Seek success for all seedstock breeders.
A rising tide lifts all boats. If you can do something to promote the beef industry, everyone can benefit.
3. Focus on relationships.
Get to know people within your breed and outside your breed. There are some amazing people in the cattle business.
4. Remember your why.
Think about your purpose and what’s driving you to be a seedstock producer.
5. Take off your blinders.
Take a hard look at your ranching operation and where you have strengths and where you have weaknesses. Then make a plan to improve.
6. Value people over money.
Sure, it’s great to sell cattle for high prices. But, ultimately your customer’s success is worth more than any price tag on an animal.
7. Remember who’s the boss!
We take the approach that we are working for God and everything we do should be to glorify him and build his kingdom.
8. Don’t get bitter. Get better.
Get over the pettiness and jealousy that can eat people up in the cattle business. Invest that energy into breeding better cattle.
9. Be humble.
From cleaning pens, to standing at the backdrop, a true champion does it all. And usually has a little dirt on their hands.
10. Celebrate the small victories.
Sure, everyone likes to win a banner. But, there are hundreds of small victories along the way. Take time to notice them, and enjoy them.
11. Let go of past grudges.
Forget about who beat your best bull in 1997 at the national show. Don’t get wrapped up in the past. Forgive, learn a lesson if needed, wish people well.
12. Write it down.
A commitment to keeping great records is paramount to success in the purebred cattle business. Write down as many details as you can.
13. Sit with the winners, the conversation is different.
Winners talk about visions, goals, and how to help others. Losers gossip, blame, and slander. Sit with the winners. They’ll usually welcome you.
14. Be open to change. Even when it’s hard.
Every new year brings new technologies in the beef industry. Be open to trying new things. It just might be the game changer you needed.
15. Skip the barn talk.
Use discernment in believing what you hear. Many times, the person doing the gossiping is part of the problem.
16. Include someone new.
There’s plenty of room in the cattle business for rookie ranchers. Welcome them, invite them to dinner, and help them along the way.
17. Be honest.
It’s entirely possible to turn in ACTUAL accurate birthdays on cattle and win shows. We’ve done it for decades. Believe in your cattle and their quality. You don’t have to cheat to win.
18. Build a legacy.
How people remember your cattle 50 years from now won’t matter. But how people remember YOU will.
19. Think about your “Cattle Business 5.”
You become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Choose them wisely.
20. Prioritize family.
Cows are not more important than your family. The priorities should be God. Family. Then the ranch. If you don’t have this mindset, start working towards changing it.
21. Age is just a number.
Been in the business 1 year? 10 years? 100 years? In today’s market it doesn’t make any difference. What matters is the quality of cattle you’re raising, and how you treat people.
22. Integrity > Politics.
The days of the “good ol’ boys system” needs to end. And, we’re making progress. Judge the cattle….not the brand, not the person on the halter, not the logo on the ear tag.
23. Enjoy the ride!
Yes, there are ups and there are downs. But, we’re incredibly blessed to be in a business where we can love what we do, and make a living while doing it.
