Arriving in Big Sky Country
Post by Clemson Montana Summer Program student Rachel Parnell
Boarding the jet at the Greenville airport, I had some assumptions of what this adventure would entail. I pictured rocky outcrops, cattle ranches and lots of manure. I imagined beautiful country and diverse wildlife. But never could I have foreseen the amount of information that would flow into my mind and the effect of the experiences that I have had in a matter of only four days of being in Big Sky country. We have driven through snow-covered alpine tundra, learned how bulls are primed for sale, observed how technology has been integrated into the ranching industry and seen a piece of wool tested for properties with lasers and much more. I’ve learned how technology is becoming increasingly important, not only for the ranching industry but the agricultural field in general and how we can couple this technology with sustainable ranching practices to create better environments for ranchers as well as for the animals.
We kicked off the first day with a trip to Midland Bull testing facility where we met the knowledgeable and cowboy-esque owner. He informed us on the purposes and practices of the facility, including the technology they use to feed their bulls which is called the GrowSafe technology. These feeding troughs are activated when a cow eats or drinks, reporting back to a computer which then provides data on a cow’s habits and daily intake. The owner also provided us with a sheet of statistics, showing the many different aspects that they list for each bull and how they compare to one another. The main point that I took away from this was how complicated and technical this all seemed, and I realized how I hadn’t been expecting a middle-aged cowboy to be working a computer and analyzing statistics. It was easy to see that he knew what he was doing and was very knowledgeable about his field. I was excited to see how advanced the technology was and how it can be further used to study cattle and other animals.
For the remainder of the day, we drove through Red Lodge and meandered our way into Yellowstone territory. The blue, towering mountains, some with stark snow at their peaks, greeted the lush rolling hills. The snow deepened as we reached the top of the mountains and we could see the air current lifting water vapor into the ever-darkening sky. Lightning struck the ridge parallel to us and we listened as nature roared its warning. We proceeded into alpine tundra and watched as the frozen ground melted into the rushing tributaries below. Traversing underneath the shadows of evergreens we made our way into the Yellowstone valley that was dotted with the mighty, chocolate brown behemoths, the “walking Wal-marts” of the prairie. The elk spied on us from their pasture beds. My heart had always craved to see the raw wild beauty of Yellowstone, and that day it was fully contented. In just one day we saw just how diverse the landscape of Montana is, from prairie to snow-capped peaks up to 12,000 feet.
The following day involved a visit to the impressive Montana State University where we were introduced to Tim and Sam, who explained to us some of the complexities of the ranch industry and of the Montana landscape. Sam conveyed his current research on grazing techniques and how winter grazing affects the cattle. We visited the university’s agriculture facilities, at which they also use GrowSafe technology for cattle as well as for sheep. We observed the farrier (horseshoeing) class and saw the students hard at work trimming hooves and hammering iron shoes. The school also had student-run cattle as well as a ranch that they have access to and allows the students to have a great hands-on agricultural learning experience. I wish that more universities, especially back on the east coast, made a larger effort to include these experiences in their academics which could increase interest and encourage the importance of agriculture and similar industries.
We also had the chance to see the wool testing lab at MSU, which is one of the only of its kind in the United States. I found it particularly interesting to see the advanced laser technology that they used to analyze the wool samples and to detect defining properties in each. Next we trudged out into a cattle field of tall lush grass to a white trailer standing alone. MSU grad students greeted us and explained that the trailer was once used for ice fishing but was converted to include GrowSafe troughs for the vehicle of their research project which included the studying of the effects of salt on cattle. The enthusiasm and inspiration for the research and the cattle was evident and infectious. To end our day, we visited a sheep farm which integrated their sheep into their organic farm as weed-eaters. After visiting these locations, I was once again intrigued by the integration of technology into the processes and wondered what other technologies we have yet to create to learn more about the environment around us. The conversion of the ice fishing trailer to be used for research also made me think about how we could make a lower environmental impact if we were to take more conventional objects and creatively altered them to suit our needs. Lastly, I was fascinated by the use of sheep to control weeds and this sparked my interest in how we could further explore how to integrate livestock into our farming practices in mutually beneficial ways and devise sustainable farming practices.
In closing, before this trip I tried to not create too many expectations in my mind. I wanted to come out here to truly learn about the cattle industry, having never spent much time around livestock. I want to develop my interests more deeply and I have already made so much progress in just the short time we’ve been here. I knew that the cattle industry played a large role in the Montana economy, but after seeing the passion in the students and employees alike I realized that many people here care deeply for the management of the cattle’s environment and creating a sustainable future. I believe that it is imperative to our country’s future to have people like these who truly have a passion for agriculture who can demonstrate that passion to students like us. Witnessing Yellowstone for the first time also reinforced within me the necessity of protecting our beautiful country’s wild lands and the life within them. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me out here in Big Sky.
We kicked off the first day with a trip to Midland Bull testing facility where we met the knowledgeable and cowboy-esque owner. He informed us on the purposes and practices of the facility, including the technology they use to feed their bulls which is called the GrowSafe technology. These feeding troughs are activated when a cow eats or drinks, reporting back to a computer which then provides data on a cow’s habits and daily intake. The owner also provided us with a sheet of statistics, showing the many different aspects that they list for each bull and how they compare to one another. The main point that I took away from this was how complicated and technical this all seemed, and I realized how I hadn’t been expecting a middle-aged cowboy to be working a computer and analyzing statistics. It was easy to see that he knew what he was doing and was very knowledgeable about his field. I was excited to see how advanced the technology was and how it can be further used to study cattle and other animals.
For the remainder of the day, we drove through Red Lodge and meandered our way into Yellowstone territory. The blue, towering mountains, some with stark snow at their peaks, greeted the lush rolling hills. The snow deepened as we reached the top of the mountains and we could see the air current lifting water vapor into the ever-darkening sky. Lightning struck the ridge parallel to us and we listened as nature roared its warning. We proceeded into alpine tundra and watched as the frozen ground melted into the rushing tributaries below. Traversing underneath the shadows of evergreens we made our way into the Yellowstone valley that was dotted with the mighty, chocolate brown behemoths, the “walking Wal-marts” of the prairie. The elk spied on us from their pasture beds. My heart had always craved to see the raw wild beauty of Yellowstone, and that day it was fully contented. In just one day we saw just how diverse the landscape of Montana is, from prairie to snow-capped peaks up to 12,000 feet.
We also had the chance to see the wool testing lab at MSU, which is one of the only of its kind in the United States. I found it particularly interesting to see the advanced laser technology that they used to analyze the wool samples and to detect defining properties in each. Next we trudged out into a cattle field of tall lush grass to a white trailer standing alone. MSU grad students greeted us and explained that the trailer was once used for ice fishing but was converted to include GrowSafe troughs for the vehicle of their research project which included the studying of the effects of salt on cattle. The enthusiasm and inspiration for the research and the cattle was evident and infectious. To end our day, we visited a sheep farm which integrated their sheep into their organic farm as weed-eaters. After visiting these locations, I was once again intrigued by the integration of technology into the processes and wondered what other technologies we have yet to create to learn more about the environment around us. The conversion of the ice fishing trailer to be used for research also made me think about how we could make a lower environmental impact if we were to take more conventional objects and creatively altered them to suit our needs. Lastly, I was fascinated by the use of sheep to control weeds and this sparked my interest in how we could further explore how to integrate livestock into our farming practices in mutually beneficial ways and devise sustainable farming practices.
In closing, before this trip I tried to not create too many expectations in my mind. I wanted to come out here to truly learn about the cattle industry, having never spent much time around livestock. I want to develop my interests more deeply and I have already made so much progress in just the short time we’ve been here. I knew that the cattle industry played a large role in the Montana economy, but after seeing the passion in the students and employees alike I realized that many people here care deeply for the management of the cattle’s environment and creating a sustainable future. I believe that it is imperative to our country’s future to have people like these who truly have a passion for agriculture who can demonstrate that passion to students like us. Witnessing Yellowstone for the first time also reinforced within me the necessity of protecting our beautiful country’s wild lands and the life within them. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me out here in Big Sky.
