"Raising my kids where so many generations of my family grew up and raised their own families adds an element to life that few people today get to experience. It is something I do not take for granted. The one room schoolhouse that my Pop and his nine siblings attended sat on a ranch my dad now runs."
Cows are bred and calves are born and raised every year on cow-calf farms and ranches, spending time grazing on grass pastures within sight of their mothers.
Between 6-12 months of age, cattle spend time at stocker and backgrounder farms and ranches where they graze on a variety of pastures. Here they gain weight and convert forage and grass into lean protein.
Cattle spend their final 4-6 months at a feedyard being fed a scientifically-balanced diet and receiving daily care.
Brad Bellah is the sixth generation to live and work on his family’s cattle ranch. After graduating from Texas Tech University, he had plans to head to the big city and start a career, but the opportunity to return to his hometown and carry on the family legacy presented itself.
Learn how Brad and his wife, Molly, are raising their own children and defining their own success back on the ranch!
Brad Bellah (BB): I always knew I would move home eventually, but thought it would be after I had done something else for five or 10 years. Despite my plans, I moved home right after college. My dad needed help, and I needed a job. It has worked out really well, and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
BB: My ultimate goal is to not only maintain, but also improve and grow what my father and grandfather have built. I’m constantly striving to do better.
BB: Raising my kids where so many generations of my family grew up and raised their own families adds an element to life that few people today get to experience. It is something I do not take for granted. The one room schoolhouse that my Pop and his nine siblings attended sat on a ranch my dad now runs. I can’t put into words how I feel when my dad and I ride past those school steps, and I can’t wait for the day when the twins are riding alongside us.
BB: I want to ensure that future generations of my family will be able to feed future generations of America. I do my part in ensuring that by managing resources both for what’s needed today and what will be right for tomorrow.
BB: As an animal caretaker, it’s second nature and a priority for me to make sure our cattle aren’t stressed or uncomfortable. We’re constantly consulting with professionals for advice and best practices, including our veterinarian and cattle nutritionist as well as animal handling experts like Temple Grandin. We also learn from the teachings of the late Bud Williams, who was another well-known proponent of low-stress livestock handling.
BB: Nothing in this world compares to a medium-rare Ribeye Steak on the grill.
Editor’s Note: Brad is featured in a documentary that focuses on the next generation of farming and ranching, Farmland, now available on Netflix and DVD. You can view the trailer here https://vimeo.com/90611052. For more information, visit www.farmlandfilm.com.