Under the Wire

Today’s “Under The Wire” begins with a question. “How would you like to work at a job requiring 24/7 attendance at largely manual labor? As a reward for your tenacity your salary will arrive as a check once a year.”

Yep, one annual payday every year. No bonuses, 401 K or retirement plan of any kind.

“You would have to be out of your mind,” is probably most reader’s response. I said most but not all. One group will recognize their own occupation. That group, of which Sue and I happen to be members, is ranchers living off a cow/calf operation. Most begin calving in February or March . As each calf hits the ground, we begin to tally our expected payday scheduled for some time between October and year end. Depending on the market each live calf is entered into our make believe books as, “That’s another eight hundred dollars, or one thousand dollars in a good year.”

If all works well, meaning the calf decides to live until market day, not ever a certainty, members of our group begin planning for the day. One day out of 364 others takes on a nearly sacred significance.

Many activities are planned around the day. “What are we going to do with all that money?,” is on all of our minds. As the day draws nearer, that list grows larger. Mortgages, pickup, car or tractor loans get paid off. Vacations with zero chance of happening, are planned. Unfortunately, another list has quietly been growing also. Pasture rent, veterinary, machinery repair, insurance and tax bills lay in wait for the day. “How does all this turn out?” you may be thinking.

The day itself is so full of excitement, pride and anticipation as the calves enter the sales ring, the birth of a new family member may be the only rivaling event. Each and every step in the process from the auctioneer’s comments to the reactions of the buyers and resulting prices, which may or may not equal the birth date estimate of the calves potential worth, will be discussed, relived and evaluated over and over for weeks. Not a lot of weeks, however, because next year’s crop is about ready to begin appearing, restarting the anticipation of the day.

Honestly most of us who live this crazy lifestyle have found it necessary to create some type of supplement income in order to survive until next the day.

Some work part time in town. Some less employable write weekly columns. As I reflect on this explanation of the cow/calf producer’s life style, a thought came to mind. How boring is it for folks who get not one but twelve or even more checks for their labor every year? I almost found out once but got fired around check number three. That’s OK, though because I still have the day to look forward to.