68 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2024 68 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2024 PERSPECTIVES GOOD MOVEMENT DRAWS GOOD MOVEMENT TERRYN DRIELING | ASHBY | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Sorting cattle turned screaming match, unspoken or unmet expectations, unclear hand signals, taking a tongue lashing while backing a trailer, older generation this, younger generation that … Chances are you related to at least one of the above. These breakdowns in communication are commonplace in our industry. They’ve become so regular, in fact, that the internet abounds with memes and TikTok videos joking about those very things. But is the humor found in the breakdowns worth the harm it causes in relationships and mental health? As cattlemen and women, we practice good stockmanship with our livestock. We understand the art and science of handling our cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner, and we put it to use. We know we can’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. So, we don’t. Instead, we read what they’re telling us, adjust ourselves, our energy and CONTINUED ON PAGE 70 Photo courtesy of Carrie Ryan.
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