The Watermelon

Cattle farmers have year-round responsibilities. Breeding, calving, feeding, doctoring, vaccinating, deworming, making hay, the list could go on. Most cattlemen love their work. They love the outdoors, the animals, the sense of accomplishment. There is also the important aspect of the sale. Selling cattle to provide for their families and to be able to do it all over again next year.

A cattle broker buys calves to send to feed lots to grow into the beef folks all over the world eat. Doing business with a cattle broker is not like walking into your local big box store where the prices are clearly marked. Selling cattle depends on cattle prices, the futures market, the economy and the negotiation skills of both buyer and seller.

Frank, in addition to being a cattleman, also had a well-known green thumb for gardening. Green beans, corn, squash, tomatoes were all grown with meticulous attention. Frank’s specialties in the garden, though, were cantaloupe and watermelon. At the height of the summer Frank would deliver his harvest to friends, family and neighbors all over the community and beyond. He was proud of his abundant garden and found joy in sharing its bounty.

One day in early Fall, Frank and Joe, Frank’s grown son & farm business partner, sat on the front porch of the lovely old farmhouse with Mr. Tracy, a well-known cattle broker who had purchased calves off the farm many times. This was not a social visit. This was a business call. Still, before getting down to the numbers, the men shared stories and caught up on gossip. Frank even gave Mr. Tracy one of his prize watermelons fresh out of the garden. Mr. Tracy expressed his thanks and carried the treat to his car. Then Joe and Mr. Tracy got in the farm truck to ride through the pastures to look at the calves for sale.

Returning to the porch, Joe and Mr. Tracy got down to numbers, talked about the market and finally agreed upon a price for the cattle, sealing the deal with a firm handshake. Frank rocked in his chair observing, allowing his son to handle the deal.

Standing, Mr. Tracy turned to Frank and said expectantly, “Well, Frank, what do you think about that price?”

Frank looked Mr. Tracey in the eye and stoically stated, “Wish I hadn’t given ya the dang watermelon.”