THE FEDERATION OF

BEEF COUNCILS

Building beef demand by inspiring , unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership .

SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

According to the most recent USDA Ag Census , 17 % of all farms have a producer who has served or is currently serving in the U . S . Armed Forces , and 34 % of farms operated by producers with military service specialize in the production of cattle and dairy . While one day a year is not enough to recognize the sacrifices of producer veterans , Veterans Day ( November 11 ) does provide the opportunity to pause and honor those who served .

PRIDE AND PASSION IN PENNSYLVANIA

For Ned Hower of Bethlehem , Pennsylvania , retirement doesn ’ t mean taking it easy . Hower served two years in the Army , had a successful post-military career , and raised a family ; now he remains busy managing a cattle operation .

Hower was drafted into the Army in 1972 and trained for black box decoding on aircraft , but as the Vietnam War was winding down , his training transitioned to microwave communications . He was sent to Fort Knox , Kentucky , and worked in the base ’ s mailroom , which served officers participating in tank training .

“ Serving in the military is an important part of what our country is and an integral part of our society and culture ,” Hower said . “ If we didn ’ t have a military , who would protect us and our allies from potential foes ?”

The military taught Hower about discipline and respect , essential attributes for his 37-year career with Air Products and Chemicals , Inc . The company specializes in providing gas products , including supporting NASA with hydrogen and oxygen . Hower served in several roles in his tenure , including lab technician , plant manager and customer service .

Hower grew up on a family farm . His wife of 46 years also grew up on a dairy farm , so a life in agriculture was destiny for his family . Just Enuff Angus was born in 1996 when Hower ’ s oldest daughter began showing cattle and it has grown to more than 50 head .

Hower always wanted to be involved in the cattle industry . In addition to breeding seedstock , they developed a robust freezer trade business . Hower works with a USDA-inspected butcher to process animals based on his customers ’ specifications .

“ We take great pride in combining genetics , our knowledge , and skills , and with the grace of God create great breeding stock and a quality product for customers ,” Hower reflected .

Hower ’ s commitment to hard work isn ’ t restricted to the farm . He was involved with the Pennsylvania Beef Council Board of Directors , the Pennsylvania Cattlemen ’ s Association , the Pennsylvania Livestock Association and is active with his church .

Hower sings high praises for the Beef Checkoff , astonished at what the $ 1 per head returns to producers .

“ Where else can you get such a return for your investment ?” he asked .

Hower will continue enjoying his retirement , even if it means working more today than when he was employed . The joy cattle provide drives his family every day .

“ There is something about watching newborn calves with their mamas and the unique bonding that takes place ,” Hower said . “ Raising cattle is more than dollars in your pocket ; it is the joy of seeing your grandkids show cattle and earn their first win . Those are the memories that pull you through the day .”

MILITARY SERVICE AND AGRICULTURE RUN DEEP IN NEBRASKA

Mark Spurgin ’ s father served during World War II , and upon his return he purchased land in Nebraska , farmed dryland wheat , and developed a registered Hereford cow-calf operation . He thought the military would be good for his son and encouraged him to join .

In May 1969 , toward the end of the Vietnam War , Spurgin was attending college and decided to join the National Guard . He wanted to be a cook , but his entrance exams showed his skills were better suited for the fire direction team with a Field Artillery unit . Spurgin served five years enlisted then attended Officer Candidate School , becoming an officer and serving another 23 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel .

He got to meet some influential people , including Kansas cattle feeder Jerry Bohn . Spurgin met Bohn , future National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association ( NCBA ) president , during training exercises in Wyoming . The two quickly became close friends , with military and agriculture creating a unique bond .

Spurgin ’ s nearly three decades of service sent him to Germany and Italy for military exercises and training . Younger adults today may not remember a time when Germany was divided between East and West by a physical wall . For Spurgin , his training exercises in Germany brought that divide front and center . When he was assigned border patrol duty at an observation post , he looked across to the East at night with not a light in sight .

“ It was eerie looking into the vast darkness of East Germany ,” Spurgin said .

After graduating from the University of Nebraska , Spurgin worked five years at a bank , but with his father ’ s failing health , he returned home to take over the cattle business . He added irrigated crops to the diversified operation , and the expanded corn production led Spurgin to add a feedlot , which started with three pens and had a capacity of 4,000 head .

Spurgin has dedicated his time and talents to the cattle industry , serving in roles with Nebraska Cattlemen , Nebraska Beef Council ( NBC ) and NCBA . His work with the Beef Checkoff was a learning experience that instilled in him a deep appreciation for the research , education and promotion conducted with producer investments .

“ I wish everyone had the opportunity to serve in Checkoff leadership and appreciate all that the one-dollar investment does for the industry ,” Spurgin said . “ You assume everyone will eat beef , but that ’ s not the case . You need to advertise and promote the product you have and make it appealing to consumers .”

Spurgin credits the military for the skills he developed to run a successful business . And when reflecting on what life would be like if he hadn ’ t served , he chuckled , “ If I wasn ’ t in the military , I might have been a team roper .”

22 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org