Finding the Differences

 

It is amazing to me the vast geographic differences we have in our country. We truly do live in America the Beautiful.  These differences were brought to our attention again on July 23^rd when our farm was honored to be included in the Where’s the Beef tour for the National Association of Extension Agents.

Carla Gilmore Welcoming the tour attendees
 

 It was so nice to meet people involved in agriculture from all over our great country.  A total of 19 states were represented on the tour. 

Tables all ready for lunch

Gizmo Angus was the lunch stop, Ronnie and I along with Carla and Jacob cooked up some Beef Brisket, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, and Baked Beans, Rolls and sweet Tea and topped if off with some banana pudding for desert. 

We asked some of our local FFA youth (Mitchell Singleton, Trever Singleton, Haley Weaver and Courtney Weekley) to help us out with serving the meal along with my good friend Barbara Reynolds they did a wonderful job getting everyone fed. 

Thankful for great FFA programs and willing FFA members!

 

After lunch attendees loaded up on trailers for a quick tour of the farm. Ronnie drove one of the tractors while Mike manned the other Jacob and I were the tour guides on the wagons.  

 

Mitchell handled the overflow

 

One of the things that was of great interest to a number of folks from the northern states was the shade screens located in our pastures. 

 

 

 Many of these folks had never seen shade screens before, and wanted to take pictures.  I started thinking about our trip to Montana several years back, when I saw my first calving shed, and yes I took pictures.  

 

 

We don’t have much need for calving sheds in Florida but they sure don’t have much need for shade screens in Montana.  The vast differences we have in environment and how each of us adapts to our individual environments is a testament to the tenacity of the farmer.  It is also a testament to the adaptability of our cattle.  One of the things I talked about on the tour was that we purchased cattle as embryos from Montana, we have also purchased cattle from out west.  The ET calves develop right along with the rest of our cattle you can’t tell much difference between western bred vs. Florida bred.  We have found that older cattle need some time to acclimate to their new and warmer environment. 

Over the years we have traveled to a number of farms and gone on various tours, we have never failed to learn something that will be beneficial to our operation.  No matter where we have gone we have always found that the people in production agriculture share so many of the same core values.  

No matter the differences in how we approach this industry the one constant we have found is the people.  The people that have chosen agriculture as a way of life are the salt of the earth.  I am so thankful that God has given us the opportunity to spend each day working and caring for His land.  Wherever your day takes you and however it ends, chances are it began with a farmer.