Texas CattleWomen

Field Day at McGregor Research Center

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Last week, I was able to travel to McGregor, Texas, and be a part of the first Field Day at the McGregor Research Center in 26 years! Having never been there before, I was excited to learn all about it.

Before it became the McGregor Research Center, it was called the Bluebonnet Farm. The Bluebonnet Farm was a 17,000 acre weapons factory in World War II. After the war ended, some of the land was repurposed as an agricultural research farm. The facility today includes a 700-head feedlot, a feed mill, and the capacity to individually feed 168 head of cattle. The center also maintains an 1,100-head herd of cattle. If you are touring the center, you are still able to see some of the old buildings that were built to store bombs.

The field day included presentations in the morning with a research tour in the afternoon. Dr. Goodwin gave an impressive presentation over Understanding Soil Health. I did not realize how imperative it is for your soil to be healthy. I have been learning more and more and rangeland and pasture health lately, and my mind has been blown. Not only do you have to make sure your cattle are taken care of, but making sure your pasture is taken care of is priority. Needless to say, I have been super interested in this topic lately!

The afternoon kicked off with the tour. We stopped at three different areas located around the center. Did you know that having a brush in your pen reduces stress among weaned calves? I have seen brushes like these at Dairy’s but have never seen it in a pen like this before. All the cattle huddled around the brush and used it frequently!

This was one of my first events back out in the Field and I loved every minute of it! From the sun shining down to the click click click of my camera.

When you love your job it never gets old!
As always share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXO
Casey

Grilling 101

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This last week, I was able to attend and demonstrate one of my favorite events! The Grilling 101!

Granted, some people reading this will say, I know how to cook a steak already, what is the big deal? For me, it is a special event. The majority of the time, I get to teach women how to cook steaks on the grill. It is such an amazing feeling, watching the participants and the excitement that they get when their steak comes out perfect. It is also an extreme plus when it tastes really good!

It isn’t just about grilling, it is about coming together as a group. Empowering women, or whoever may be in the group that day. It is the camaraderie between the participants that makes these events worth while.

Plus, it is always nice to throw in a few tips and tricks along the way. Take wire brushes for example, so many people use these to clean their grills but these can be very harmful. The bristles can break off and get stuck to the grill. They have the potential to get into your meat, and if you were to swallow one of those, it could be life threatening! Instead use some foil and an onion! They have the coolest onion holders at H-E-B, and they make cleaning your grill with an onion super easy.

I also like to challenge those well-done steak eaters. It is a free steak, be brave and try it medium-well! You might be amazed at how much flavor the steak has, and you won’t have to use that A1 sauce ever again!

At these events, I am always extra grateful for my time at The Texas Beef Council for giving me the skills to continue to administer this event! It definitely is one of the Texas CattleWomen’s favorite things to do!

Regardless of what it is, do what you love. Do what brings you joy. You never know how much joy you could bring to someone else along the way.

As always share some love, we could all use a little more love.
XOXOXO
Casey

Facing Your Fears and Lessons Learned

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This weekend was one for the books! My final Spring Convention as Texas CattleWomen President. I was able to spend the weekend with a lot of my favorite people, from CattleWomen to work colleagues, it was an amazing time spent with people who all love the Cattle Industry.

One opportunity that CattleWomen have each year at the Cattle Raisers Convention, is to address the entire Convention, not just CattleWomen, and give an update on what CattleWomen are doing. Now, two years ago, I knew this requirement, and I was having panic attacks just thinking about getting up in front of potentially 1,000 people and talking into a microphone on stage. Last year when I did this for the first time, I was super nervous, but I did it and made it through.

This year, I had totally different emotions. Of course I was still nervous, you never want to stumble on the mic, but I was also calm. I knew I could do it. I knew what I wanted to say and I ran through my spill numerous times and I had my notes with me. I stepped onto the stage and gave my report. I had several people tell me I did a great job and I went on throughout the day running the CattleWomen meetings. Knowing, that I did a good job but still feeling like I could have done better. Yesterday, I received a Facebook Message from a very prominent rancher, telling me I did a really good job speaking at the convention. At that moment, I had a bundle of emotions. First, my mind was blown, I was ecstatic, and I finally felt like I really had done a great job.

Two lessons I have learned from this experience.

One – When you face your fears and continue to face them, they become easier and easier to handle. Two years ago, I almost did not run for President because I knew I was going to have to give a talk. The last two years I worked really hard at presenting. Trying to do as many public speaking events that I could so I could be comfortable. Granted, it was still nerve racking but I was may more comfortable on that stage this year than I was last year.

Do the things that make your nerves rattle and watch how it changes your life. One of my favorite things now is to present, especially when it comes to something about the Beef Industry.

Two – Take the compliments and pat yourself on the back. Sometimes we get caught up in our own thoughts. I should have said, I could have done that better.. etc. etc. Instead, take the compliments. I did a great job! Pat yourself on the back. Pause and embrace that moment. Sit in it and enjoy it! Know your skills and what you are capable of before you move on to the next thing.

Today, I am extra thankful to the Rancher that reached out. We all need to do more of this!

As always share some love, we could all use a little more love.
XOXOXO
Casey