As I’m working at the beef expo last week, I realized something so magical about being there. And yes, I said magical. It didn’t matter that it was freezing cold, the wind was blowing, it smelled of poop, and everyone was pretty dirty.

While walking around the stalls, the trade booths, and the eating areas I saw something that truly made me feel good about the industry I’m in love with.

• All ages of cattle farmers were there. We all come together as one. We can all talk together and talk about the same things. There is no age divider in the cattle industry—we all have the same problems and same dreams.

• Old men talking about the good ole days. I could listen to them for hours. They told me about their herds, how things have changed, what they love about the young people, and how long they’ve been coming to the expo.

• Friends seeing friends again. Every time I lifted my head, someone was finding a friend that they were looking for. Others were meeting up with friends because they met at the expo and have been going together ever since.

• Young girls were working alongside their fathers. Not many girls have the opportunity to do that in their lives.

• Teamwork. Doing a cattle sale is not easy. I saw families work together on numerous occasions and accomplishing goals together.

• The amount of smiles are uncanny. Even when they things weren’t going right, everyone kept a smile on their face. They were having fun together, with family or friend, and it didn’t really matter what went wrong.

• It wasn’t about money. It was about the cattle. No one cared how much you sold your animal for, they cared about what your animal could do for their herd. It was kind of refreshing to be around people that didn’t make everything about money.

• The cows. Ahhhhh just being surrounded by animals that were so calm and carefree. They just did what was expected of them and did their thing. Cattle don’t play a favorite card. They either love ya or hate ya. It’s pretty simple.

                 (This bull was sold by JJB Cattle Company or as many of you know, Crystal Cattle!)