Every Animal, Every Record, Every Relationship
#bfrdpwy #aginternship #RightRisk
Week 4 was one of the most unique and memorable weeks of the internship so far. It looked different from anything before it, and I came away with a new appreciation for both the unpredictability of ranch life and the tight-knit community that surrounds it. The week started with an unexpected challenge: the well at the homestead had broken, which meant we had to haul water out there multiple times a day to keep the cattle’s tank filled. On Monday morning, I made the first run on my own. It was the first time I had driven a trailer solo, so I was paying close attention to every turn and every tight spot to make sure nothing went wrong. I felt comfortable behind the wheel and the run went smoothly, but it was a good reminder of how much focus it takes to operate equipment responsibly, especially when you are on your own.
After the water run, I spent the rest of Monday helping some of the family members prepare for the National Rodeo and Days of 76, which involved organizing, loading, unloading, and sorting jewelry and clothing. It was a different kind of task than I am used to, but it was a good reminder that ranch life extends in a lot of directions. Tuesday brought me back to more familiar ground. We headed out to the homestead to move some of the cattle to a barley pasture on the far end of the property, which ended up taking about four hours. It was not the most efficient move we could have made, and part of that came down to a decision I have been thinking about since. During the gather, I spotted a calf tucked inside a pipe, and we made the call to leave it, assuming it was just seeking shade and would find its way out on its own. We later learned that a calf had died, and we believe it was the one we had found in the pipe. That stayed with me. The right call would have been to stop, get the calf out, and move it with the rest of the herd, no matter how much extra time it added to the day. It reinforced something I keep coming back to out here: the animals always come first, and taking shortcuts with their care, even unintentionally, can have serious consequences.
The rest of Tuesday was spent bottle feeding the calf and getting the ram, ewe, and trailer ready for the National Targhee Show and Sale. Wednesday morning we loaded up and made the drive to South Dakota, where we stayed through Saturday. It was an incredible experience from start to finish. My host brought a ram to sell, so my main responsibility during those days was caring for him until the sale on Saturday. Beyond that, I had the chance to watch other members of the association show their rams and ewes, sit in on a couple of meetings, and simply take in everything happening around me. What struck me most was the community. Everyone there was so welcoming and genuinely supportive of one another, and it was clear that many of these relationships have been built over many years.
One of the highlights of the trip was attending the business meeting. Even though I am not directly involved in the sheep business and much of the specific information did not apply to me personally, I found it incredibly valuable to sit in and listen. The meeting covered the importance of thorough record keeping and tracking data on your animals over time that directly influence the decisions you make about breeding, health, and sales. It was a side of agriculture that I do not always get to see day to day, and it made me think more seriously about how much planning and documentation goes into running a successful operation.
Friday evening wrapped up with a dinner that brought everyone together for socializing, Hall of Fame recognitions, awards for those who had shown their animals, and a live auction. It was a wonderful evening and a fitting celebration of everything the association stands for. My host also brought a donation ewe for the starter flock recipient, and I had the chance to meet the young girl receiving it. That moment stood out to me. There is something special about being able to meet the people you are selling to, build a relationship with them, and potentially cross paths again at the next show. It gives the whole process a personal dimension that goes beyond just the transaction.
The biggest takeaway from this week was seeing firsthand how strong the bonds are within the ranching and agriculture community. The people at this show may compete against one another in the ring, but the moment someone needs a hand, everyone shows up. That kind of culture is something I deeply admire and hope to carry forward. It also reinforced for me how much pride these families take in what they raise and in being part of something larger than themselves. Coming back to the ranch on Saturday night, I felt grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it, even just as an observer and a helper. Weeks like this one remind me why I chose this internship.
Submitted by: Kaci Jericoff
Edits by: GrowinG Internship Team
