Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
Parts of the Midwest received the blessing of all blessings and I am here to celebrate with you today, right here on Ranch Raised.
Just a few weeks ago my husband and I were hanging our heads lamenting that if the cattle markets don’t take us out one year, Mother Nature would try to the next. We sold a good portion of cows last year due to drought and we were looking to make some more deep cuts any day as the hay supply has been circling the drain and the cost of inputs continues to push north.
But then May came and the heavens opened, clouds built, and the rain fell. To step outside and smell that fresh, humid spring air that comes after a rain shower has done something for our souls that can’t be bought. It has renewed hope for this grazing season.
Problems are not entirely solved with just one good week of moisture, but burdens are lifted for a few days and for that, we are grateful. The rain allowed me to do some baking, hear the bantering of our kids, and sleep well at night.
Mother’s Day weekend was marked by me helping a few of my girls’ favorite show stock become momma’s themselves. And somewhere around Valentine’s Day, if all goes like planned, I can announce their new baby’s arrival. I’m not able to do big AI projects like I used to but this year we are only AIing some barn favorites, so I can handle that.
I’m looking forward to spending my whole week with you right here on Ranched Raised, so don’t miss a day. But, if you do, you can catch up on the Your Ag Network app or website.
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 4 children near Broken Bow, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Watching the cattle industry go the path that it has gone, she could no longer sit quietly at home checking cows, fixing fence, and doing all the everyday tasks wondering when some else was going to make it all better. As she became more active and outspoken on industry issues, she was asked to join the R-CALF USA staff in September 2020 as the Checkoff Petition Campaign manager. That position transcended into her current role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
You can hear her almost every Friday on Your Ag Network’s Hot Barn Report, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and industry reforms. Listen to Ranch Raised on a Your Ag Network hometown station or www.youragnetwork.com where she talks about her daily life on the Jones Ranch.
Cattle producers are her people. She will meet you at the county fair, at the sale barn, or anywhere the dusty trail leads.
[email protected] or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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