by Terry Lidral
It’s springtime – the most wonderful time of the year in the bucking stock industry. The next generation is hitting the ground bringing us renewed excitement and anticipation. As they say, “Hope springs eternal.
But in the birthing season, unfortunately, there are dark moments too. Weather can be a deadly enemy for calves and colts born during severe storms. And for those babies born too early where the temperatures are harshly cold, it can mean death.
This has been a tough year in so many places for the bucking stock industry with devastating losses and heartbreak. Every calf and colt bred for its genetics is an important part of a breeding program. Whether it’s the loss of one or ten animals, the loss is significant. And for the small breeder, any loss can have a devastating effect on their program.
Yet, in the bucking stock industry, we tend to pull together in these bad times and help our fellow industry members. Be it emotional support, lending a hand or making a loan or a donation, people out there are helping their neighbors in their time of need. That’s what makes us such a great community.
Spring 2019 has brought some of the most severe weather ever recorded. Please keep those in the bucking stock industry who have suffered damage and loss in your thoughts and prayers.
Author: Terry Lidral
Terry Lidral is a western writer/journalist who lives in Idaho. She is the publisher and editor of the online magazine Bucking Stock Talk and the online magazine Western Living Journal. Her publishing credits include Storyteller for Real American Cowboy Magazine, writing feature articles for Humps N Horns Magazine as well as a wide variety of national and international web sites, historical magazines and news publications. She is known for her "up close and personal" profiles of celebrities and industry moguls such as NPR's Tom Bodett; PBR's Wiley Petersen and D.H. Page, PRCA's Sammy Andrews, Cindy Rosser and Julio Moreno to name a few. She has been applauded for her way of making a personal connection between her readers and her subjects. She indulges in her love of rodeo by serving as an associate board member for the Caldwell Night Rodeo. She is also an accomplished trainer and handler in dog agility. Her shelties Amelie and Milo are titled in NADAC, USDAA and AKC.