"Our farmers and ranchers feed the world,” said Gov. Noem. “In fact, South Dakota is #1 in the nation for most cows per-capita! As Governor, it is my honor to proclaim the month of May Beef Month.”
In 2021, I shared on social media that Michelle Weber Studio and I were going to begin working on a book titled “Faith, Family, Freedom,” and we were looking for sponsors to help us offset the cost of production.
In less than a minute after I posted our project online — we received our first donation. From a guy named Chris Earl. When his sponsorship came in, I thought to myself, “WHO is this cowboy from New Mexico?”
Yes, every kid should have the opportunity to learn in the barn. The world would be a much better place if we could make it so. But how very blessed we are to live in agriculture, where the barn is the center stage for life’s biggest lessons!
"I am honored to serve on Chairman Thompson's NACAC to provide support as he leads the Agricultural Committee and works on the new Farm Bill," said Radke. "I am anxious to offer insights and ideas for working solutions on the real issues facing America's farmers and ranchers and our nation's food security. I'm looking forward to working with GT and my fellow producers in this role."
First and foremost, let me be clear — there are currently zero mRNA vaccines that are licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States.
All livestock vaccines are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) following rigorous testing for both safety and efficacy. The USDA has robust post-marketing surveillance for any adverse events caused by on-market vaccines.
What’s more, beef cattle producers work closely with a trusted veterinarian to set up vaccination protocols for their animals. Partnering with veterinarians is important as they are uniquely educated and trained in animal health. Plus, ranchers can create vaccination protocols, in collaboration with their veterinarian, that address specific needs of the cattle and to help them build immunity to prevent disease.
I know you’re worried. And stressed. And physically exhausted at times. You worry about the future of this country and the future of agriculture. You carry that heavy load and are often at a loss for what to do to make a positive impact.
I want to let you know you’re not alone. I want you to know others see it, too. I want to encourage you to keep up the fight. Don’t give in or give up. Hold your ground.
Don’t stand down, and let these folks do the talking for you. You have an incredibly powerful story that is unique to your family and your operation. The best champion for your future is you. Let your voice be heard!
With cattle inventory down 3% and the smallest U.S. beef cow herd numbers since 1962, opportunities abound in this space — if you can find and afford to rent the grass, handle the rising input costs, and find ways to capture true value in a space where it is growing increasingly challenging to sell in the commodity market.
Yet, for those willing to innovate, pivot, and drive their product to meet the demand for wholesome, nutritious, well-marbled beef, the sky is the limit. It’s really a shift in perspective — refusing to be a price taker and focusing on becoming a price maker instead.
Yes, this agriculture life isn’t for the faint of heart. We work long days with very little reward sometimes. However, when we look at the rich blessings we have in good years and bad, we know that every pain, every tear, and every plan gone awry is worth the toil.
So Teddy, I agree with you. Let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out. So when we get to the end of our life, we know we lived it fully, putting our whole heart into a noble pursuit.
