The winter season ends officially for ranchers when most of the cattle are turned out on spring and summer pasture. It is an uplifting time signifying a change of pace. Winter is long, however mild, or severe, just because most of us feed cattle, an almost daily chore.
I look at fellow ranchers - those with big or small herds - who all have that tired look about them as they relish getting the spring medicating and branding done so “turn out” onto range can happen when the grass is right.
If they are selling cattle, the price is great, in some cases record high, making the sellers giddy with the joy of finally being rewarded for their efforts. Those buying will be hoping the prices hold until this fall when the gains on grass will be beneficial.
Some of us are exiting the business. Whole ranch dispersal sales of equipment and cattle have been with us for a while as ranchers “age out,”with no apparent successors able to take over and provide the retiring generation with a retirement fund.
The high cattle prices will allow those still operating, an opportunity to buy additional land and grow their businesses. There is a twinge of regret that our generation of the family is selling over the next few years.
That regret is more than offset by the feeling and the reality that we can make time for lifelong friends and new friends. Coming up for us is a summer of visits to and from some of these friends and relatives.
Oh, the joy of reflecting on the “time of our lives!” This was when the world was ours to make our way and make our impact on the betterment of humankind. We rode the highs of the end of the Cold War, the challenge of putting a moral basis into technology and seeking accountability via the improvements of accountability of government and business alike.
For my part, I am reflecting on what kind of a farm (ranch) business are we leaving to our children and grandchildren. While the world is generally sliding backwards after economic and social justice gains over recent decades, we have had the opportunity to develop and model changes at the level we can influence: our own businesses and livelihoods, our homesteads, our ranches, our communities, and our mistakes and successes.
If we have done some things right, we can reflect and share that with family, friends, and neighbours. We can use our bits of wisdom to support our leaders and fellow citizens in finally making “Progress” towards a better world.
“Ever the Optimist” may be my watchword. We believe in the promise shown in our children and their children. So, we throw a torch as we step back knowing it will be caught.
READ MORE: RANCH MUSINGS: Impact of ranching industry on range environment
READ MORE: RANCH MUSINGS: Agriculture in B.C. and climate change
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