LIMOUSIN TODAY Limtoday-March 2018-Web | Page 66

From the Field

It ’ s the People

By Nathan Smith , NALF regional manager
Officially one month in and I have had the pleasure of working the National Western Stock Show , the Fort Worth Stock Show , and NCBA as the NALF eastern regional manager . The biggest thing after meeting the membership of NALF at all these events that really sticks out to me , is that it ’ s the people that matter most . For example , as I traveled the state of Texas during the Fort Worth Stock Show , I was regularly met with hospitality and kindness that is second to none and as I know from my time in Denver , that this isn ’ t a strictly regional phenomenon . It ’ s the culture of the people in an industry that relies heavily upon community , family and faith to accomplish goals . Whether that is calving heifers during wet , cold spring or fitting bulls in the yards , it ’ s an industry that without that sense of family , would rapidly lose its allure and prestige .
With that I would like to take the time to introduce myself to you via this editorial . I grew up on a multi-faceted crop and livestock farm in south central Kansas . Our family operation consists of a wheat pasture stocker program , a small starting yard and various small grain cropping systems , along with production cows and ewes . During high school , my summers were spent 4-H ’ ing and haying . These two activities continue to carry a large amount of influence on my morals and ethics today . After high school , I attended Kansas State University majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in Production Management . During this same period of life , I was lucky enough to work with two seedstock programs near
Much of the membership that I have had the pleasure of meeting have proven to be “ movers ” in the beef industry .
Manhattan as ranch labor , which was my first true introduction to the registered cattle industry . After Kansas State I moved back to south central Kansas and to continue the family farm operation . During this time , I assisted the American Simmental Association in their customer service sector . Traveling this member base cemented the fact that it is not the cattle that make the breed , it is the people and their stories that make the industry .
So far , my experience with Limousin has been educational and enthralling , the quality of cattle and people at both NWSS and FWSS was deep . Much of the membership that I have had the pleasure of meeting have proven to be “ movers ” in the beef industry . I look forward to hearing more of these stories and getting to know more of these families that make this industry and especially the NALF family so special . My role as the new eastern regional manager is to help you , the members , with advertising ( print or digital ), any questions concerning NALF programs , and to be your direct line to the Foundation with any concerns that you may have .
Feel free to give me a call , shoot me an email or even a standard old letter . Lets have a chat and if we can make it work , a cup of coffee , even if its just to discuss the weather .
Thank you and God Bless ! I
64 | MARCH 2018