Years of Preparation, Two Minutes of Fame

By Matt Woolfolk, BBU Field Representative & Commercial Marketing Director

The first Saturday in May is upon us and Kentucky Derby fever is catching on fast!  In Louisville, everyone is getting ready for the “fastest two minutes in sports”.  On Saturday afternoon, thousands in the stands and millions of viewers worldwide will tune in to see which horse will earn champion of America’s most prestigious horse race.  The spotlight will shine on this event for one hour, but preparation starts almost five years in advance for the owners, breeders and trainers of these horses. It begins with the decisions made in breeding a mare to the right stallion.  From foaling to the race track, it takes hours of work by trained professionals to get these young equine athletes ready to compete.  If the young horse has the talent, training and the right luck they just might be one of the 20 horses who make it to the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.  With almost 20,000 thoroughbreds born each year, the odds of being one of the 20 are not very high!  One thing is for sure; the 20 who make it to Louisville are the cream of the crop, not a bunch of lackluster performers.

Cattle sales are a lot like the Kentucky Derby.  The crowd gathers on the big day to view the cattle, socialize with fellow enthusiasts and witness the action from the sale ring.  However, a high selling lot doesn’t start on sale day.  All the time leading up to and preparing for the auction are often overlooked.  It goes back to using the right bulls on your cow herd to produce a product that keeps improving your stock.  From calving to weaning, it becomes important to have a good pasture and a balanced nutrition program to help that calf grow alongside the cow. When the calves hit the weaning pen, identifying the potential high seller is key, but helping them reach that potential is crucial!  Helping your sale cattle reach their potential includes having them in the right condition, properly presented and looking their best for their big day.  Just like the ladies in big hats and sundresses at the Kentucky Derby, it’s all about making a statement and garnering attention.  When it comes sale time, all the hours of prep work and planning culminates with a quick trip through the sale ring.  With all the right preparation and a little bit of auction luck, you’ll come away with a price for your animal that makes you feel like you’ve just won the Kentucky Derby!

When you’re tuning into the Kentucky Derby this weekend, keep in mind the years of preparation it takes just to get a horse to the racetrack and how it so closely relates to raising your next great Beefmaster bull or heifer.  It’s the little things that separate a champion thoroughbred from just a “good horse”.  Likewise, taking the extra little steps along the way leads to the reward of better prices at the cattle sales.  It will be worthwhile to feel the excitement of being in the winner’s circle with your high selling lot!