My calf scramble post got more interactions than I thought It would, but It just reminded me of him.
Now I am a fourth generational farmer, I've seen dozens of steers come and go. But Rugz, he was different. I fought tooth and nail for him, and took him from feral and afraid to the sweetest bundle of beef.
I sold him August 2023, and to this day I still think about it. I remember breaking down in the sale ring and crying Infront of dozens of people. I remember being handed the empty halter as he was trailered. I remember when I composed myself and walked back in, but broke down because the barn was empty.
I'm a strong guy, I pride myself in it. But there's still some grief knawing inside of me. I'm mad about it, I've always said and say it's the industry. It's what you do. I can't comprehend why I am upset over him still, I find it embarrassing to talk about. I personally raised another steer again this year and I was sad over him but nothing like this.
But there was something about Rugz, that stupid blonde calf. The only calf I had that ever made me consider backing away from my passions and dreams. If I would've kept him I would have been set back so many years, but if you ask me now. I would be fine waiting if it meant he was there.
I love farming, I am a hog farmer and cattle farmer and years from now I'll grow my operations. I'll have hundreds of livestock pass through my hands, and I'll still think of him.
The steer that built me.
