“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently” – Henry Ford

When first entering the Bar V Ranch, surface level visions portray a storybook-like place where the sun always shines and perfect amounts of rainfall are guaranteed.  A unique shaped red barn with crisp white trim is the focal point of the yard, surrounded by city-like lawn and cookie-cutter black cattle filling feedlot pens.  It’s another day at the office, watching a man hustle to keep order, armed with a well thought out plan at top of mind. 

Two young blonde girls giggle while playing with a squirrely white healer pup and beg to have their horses saddled so they can ride out to check the wild plums.  From the outside looking in, the appearance of this business functioning like a well-oiled machine, seems to have been going on since its establishment, in 1942.   Those who work in agriculture, know this picture-perfect ranch only exists in children’s books and being successful in this career has come with hard lessons.

Brian is one of the most skilled around when it comes to applying past lessons to future life. Both watching him from a distance and learning about his family’s business up close, has been an education in itself.  Of course, impromptu lectures can be heard on the fly, covering topics such as vaccination programs, rotational grazing, or the latest government regulations. However, the real lessons to be learned from the teacher are those of resilience, adaptability, and positivity. 

This cowboy was raised in a culture that accepted and expected failures.  His parents valued a mindset of using “less than great times” as a teaching tool, allowing their children to develop grit and determination.  Traits such as these, are what have helped Brian succeed as a rancher, father, neighbor, and friend. He doesn’t view a failed plan as a loss, but rather a perfect opportunity to fire up plan B or C…

Rehearsed adaptability qualities were made evident recently, when acres of corn intended for silage, were too low in moisture content to chop.  This would have been devastating to many, as silage is a primary feed source for cattle during the upcoming winter months.  Instead being left with fields of frustration, Brian had already planned far ahead for this scenario.  Before a seed was sown, a story for the corn crop was written in a dusty office with several perfect endings. In this case, a corn variety was chosen and planted that had been developed for dual purposes – silage OR grain – allowing a seamless change in direction to take place. The dry corn was harvested for grain, the stalks were baled and stored, and the ranch continued moving forward with little hesitation. Plan for the unexpected.

One of Brian’s core believes is to fail small; succeed big.  He values progression and advancement, however, does so with calculated steps to keep risks manageable and scalability a priority.  Thought processes as these have been key in the expansion of the Bar V and has helped keep perspectives realistic.  Implementing modern environmental practices, such as unique cover crop cocktails, on a small scale while increasing diversification, has allowed for sustainability goals to be met. 

Recently Brian was awarded the prestigious 2020 Environmental Stewardship Award.  The recognition is a true testament of  character and an honorable tip of the hat to those who are resilient to strife. It comes after years of remaining positive and continuously looking for ways to improve not only the Bar V Ranch, but also the heart and mind of the man, causing Brian to separate himself from the chaff.

Focus on possibilities for success, not the potential for failure.