Twenty-five years ago, I would have told you that topics like self confidence and insecurities were a bunch of fluff. However, I’ve been through a lot and can tell you that it is the soft issues that become hard problems in farming.

The American Simmental Association presented the Golden Book Award to Hart Simmentals of Frederick, South Dakota, at the ASA’s Fall Focus event Aug. 26 in Denver. Recipients of the Golden Book Award are recognized for being lifelong promoters of the Simmental breed.

Growing up on a farm and then raising kids on one can be challenging, yet ultimately rewarding. This was the inspiration behind the creation of a podcast by dairy farmer Arlene Hunter and beef and sheep farmer Caite Palmer.

What causes 30-plus years of building a family and a farm to fall apart within five minutes? Well, there are several reasons, but one is borderline personality disorder.

With high-end genetics, ever-growing production benchmarks and the willingness to share their story with the public through farm presentations, the family tradition of excellence will carry on.

As born and bred farm kids, my kids are adept at chores. They can flake hay to horses, check water, dump grain to calves and collect eggs.

The Beef Improvement Federation recognized 44 Farms of Cameron, Texas, as the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year during the organization’s annual research symposium in July in Calgary, Alberta. Douglas Lake Cattle Company of Douglas Lake, British Columbia, was presented with the Commercial Producer of the Year Award.

Activities outside of work provide benefits that go far beyond taking it easy for a few hours.

Kerry Estes did not grow up on a dairy farm, but in the early 2000s, that is exactly where life led him and his family. They bought a farm in Fountaintown, Indiana, milked their first cows in March 2005 and have continued to build the farm into what it is today over the past two decades. 

After 18 months of planning and preparation, Freshly Dairy began processing non-homogenized whole milk in two flavors – chocolate and traditional white milk – in August 2022 just west of Indianapolis in Lizton, Indiana.