“Lots of people can be cowboys. Few can be cattlemen.” Ricky Booth –Florida Cattleman
The idea of being a cowboy is often romanticized in the American culture and over the years has become a persona, rather than a way of life. Anyone who can be sandwiched between a pre-shaped Stetson and a pair of Justins, can pull off the title of a cowboy, regardless if they know the difference between a Shorthorn or a tipped horn. Merriam-Webster defines the noun boy, as an immature male, making logical sense to those in agriculture, when considering the progression of cowboys to cattlemen.
When growing up in the middle of ranching country, a tight race of likability between the 4th of July and Christmas holidays was a common photo finish. While Christmas was cherished for celebrating Christ’s birth, family, and enough food to sink the Titanic, as a young cowboy, Independence Day had a unique set of mid-summer gifts of its own. Let’s just say it’s a good thing that as a boy, Stu didn’t have to choose between the two.
Each 4th of July family and friends in Raleigh North Dakota would come out of the woodwork, joining forces to plan the annual community rodeo celebration. Days were spent repairing structures from last year’s rodeo wrecks, getting the ground just so, and practicing riding and roping skills with hopes of winning the hometown show. Part of the excitement for Stu was the chance to trail his own bronc to town and the adventure of getting him there. Showcasing ‘Pump Handle Pete’ for 8 seconds, on home turf, provided reasons for buttons to burst and material for tall tales, until the next rodeo rolled around. The day was filled with fried chicken picnics, cousins, bucking bulls, and shenanigans and by far, was a favorite day of the year. Like the summer in the upper mid-west, this long-awaited occasion came and went like a 90-degree west wind.
It was during these July days that Stu was bit by the rodeo bug himself, setting goals of competing with the best, which he achieved. The days of ground-roping dummy calves and cracking out of homemade bucking chutes paid off. Stu found success in team roping, bareback, and bull riding, winning many awards, including NDRA All Around titles in both bull riding and bareback. He also captured the designation of PRCA Badlands Circuit Bull Riding Championship – an accolade that is still talked about among contestants and spectators today.
Along with a buckle collection, enduring friendships were won, life experience was gained, and the desire to be successful was further instilled into his already mapped DNA. For many cowboys, the story would end here, and life would continue down the dusty trail, but recall the earlier description of progression…CowBOY to CattleMAN. Stu’s roots of raising beef cattle, dedication to agriculture, and the satisfaction of helping others succeed, were tugging at this cowboy’s heart strings.
Having a strong believe that agriculture serves a vital need for people of the United States and world, was key as Stu began his careers beyond the rodeo days. He became a loan officer for an agricultural lender and developed an uncanny knack for helping those in need, even when the deserve level was questionable. While climbing the corporate ladder, Stu used his knowledge for the betterment of both the customers and the industries they represented. A favorite example is when a young college student approached him for a loan after the death of her father. Thoughts of losing the ranch was a reality and her age and finances were not in her favor. Most would have passed by the request, not willing to help the young lady find a way, but not Stu. He brainstormed and pulled every trick out of his cowboy hat to make her vision of taking over her daddy’s ranch, a reality. Other times while working in professional ag, he has chosen creative thinking over foreclosure or mentoring rather than firing, further demonstrating his uprising character.
Not only has Stu risen above in the professional sector of agriculture, he has also used this drive to excel in production ag. Over the years he has developed a ranch and raised exceptional beef cattle. Having a keen sense of awareness of his herd’s needs, has allowed him to plan and develop infrastructure and processes that reduce the stress in his operation and increase safety for both him and his livestock. His attention to grazing development, water and waste systems, and overall care for his animals has come from years of learning. Volumes of knowledge have come from self-education, focusing on conservation and cattle contentment. It has been gained from finding fulfillment in the work, even when profits are slim and discovering satisfaction in watching relaxed cattle eat, drink, and rest.
Stu’s quality character, enhanced through agriculture, wasn’t obtained from wearing boots or hats, but rather by using life’s lessons to better himself and others. The world has benefited because of his choice to live the life of a cattleman.
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and put itself in our hands. It hopes we learned something from yesterday.” – John Wayne
Comments by jstrygg