Hello, my name is William Ogdahl and my wife, Abigail and I are first generation ranchers. We raise Registered Red Angus bulls and females, as well as commercial Angus steers and heifers to market or finish ourselves at our place near Milnor, N.D. We have a smaller program as compared to many ranches in North Dakota, so we concentrate on quality genetics and functionally of our cattle. We also own and operate an artificial insemination and genetics selection company that operates throughout the tri-state area.
Raising cattle to us is much more than just an end-product, such as calves to sell. It is more of the opportunity to play a small part in a large system. We try our best to be good stewards of the land and to use management practices and genetics that work ‘in tune’ with nature. This not only can make our lives easier, but the lives of our cattle more problem-free and enjoyable. In today’s world where animal agriculture is under extreme scrutiny, it is more important than ever to be a champion for this way of life. We believe it is essential to highlight how well farmers and ranchers in North Dakota take care of our animals and resources to provide the consumer with a healthy, nutritious, product. I’d say Abigail and I are doing exactly what we wanted to: Living the dream!
Right now, rising inputs costs are the greatest struggle for, I would assume, most operations like ours. With these challenges it makes it even more important to concentrate on resources we have and to use all things to the best of our ability. Cattle nutrition, breeding, and grazing management can all be adjusted and improved to help mitigate these costs. It is also important to get involved with your local and state Farm Bureaus to stay informed and pave the way for change throughout our government that may not be aware of these challenges, or those in the future!
I do not think farmers or ranchers are inherently different from other people. I think that as a collective we are considerably different than other groups out there, but I do believe it is important to show how, in fact, farmers and ranchers are not different from other types of people at all. It has become apparent to me that lots of folks have begun raising backyard chickens and planting immaculate gardens over the course of the last three years. Americans are beginning to move back to their roots if you will, in understanding where their food comes from, or growing some themselves! 150 years ago, just about everyone was a farmer of a rancher. It is important to remember that.
I would like to remind consumers how much emotional, physical, and financial energy farmers and ranchers put into the products we raise. Losing a calf, a field being hailed out, or even harvesting your own calves is something that is not taken lightly. We try the best we can to do things in the correct way in the eyes of God, the nation, and the community in hopes to create a life worth passing down to the next generation.