It was the day after Christmas. We were working on a chore that I would have liked to have finished a month earlier, but the stars never did quite align as I had hoped. So here we were, on Dec. 26, finally running the cows through the chute for preg checking.

It was late afternoon, and the thin layer of frail gray clouds that had made their first appearance that morning before sunrise still hung low in the sky. I knew I had barely an hour of daylight left, and I also knew that there was no way I’d finish my fence repair project before dusk overtook me.

I recently watched a movie that took place on a ranch – and I’m quite curious as to who the consultant was for the show. (We are available, if anyone’s looking …)

As we begin another year, I’m grateful for fresh beginnings. Although, I have to say, every new year that comes I personally don’t feel new – and I don’t sense that my life has changed. Yet, that change of the calendar often brings a sense of rebirth and renewal.

JPD Angus in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, grew into a family operation through evenings after long off-farm workdays and weekends spent raising Angus cattle.

Maggie eased her tired joints into the old wingback chair. Nick had hated that chair. For years, he teased her that it was the most uncomfortable piece of furniture his rear end ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with.

For many of us, Christmas looks a little different than it does in a Hallmark movie. The snow doesn’t fall just right, the wind bites harder than we’d like, and chores don’t take a holiday.

I used to get up early and go to town for Black Friday shopping, trying to get deals on family presents. I love giving gifts, and it was fun to look for what I knew family members would enjoy while also getting a good deal.

Although many farmers want to preserve their family legacy, they also need to consider their needs in retirement. Effective succession planning can balance these needs, but because of legal, financial and operational complexities, it’s important to approach this issue with a comprehensive framework.