The Power of Teamwork

#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk

My favorite part of this week was getting participate in a ranch branding! Myself, along with the other intern and our foreman were on a team. We were given a number to pick out of the herd, and had to head, heel, flip the heifer, switch the ropes to the feet, and brand it for time. We had a time of 2:13. We didn’t place, but we were by no means in the bottom of the ranks. We caught both our shots first time and I was so proud of myself and my team. It was such an awesome feeling to be able to show a little of what I’ve learned this summer in a public setting.

Other than that, we had some back luck with horses this week. By some freak accident, our trailer door came open on the highway. The horse in the back was drug for about 20 feet. Luckily we caught it quick and were able to avoid major injuries. He didn’t break anything, but his wounds will take about 6 months to heal before he will be rideable. We are so grateful that that is all that came of it. He is wrapped and treated with Banamine for pain daily.

A question I have this week is how can I work to introduce more people to the world of agriculture? How can I take this experience and the knowledge I’ve gained this summer and show other people that they too can enter into this world and learn all of the skills necessary? I remember how intimidating it was to enter into this line of work as someone who wasn’t privileged enough to grow up in it. I want to be a part of showing other this as well.

My biggest takeaway this week is actually the power of teamwork and camaraderie in ranching. Both in the horse incident and in the ranch roping this week, I had an overwhelming sense of bond between my coworkers and I. This industry is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, and this experience has done nothing but prove that further to me.

Submitted by: Isabella Schultz
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team