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The New Normal

The New Normal

October 20, 2020


JW_Cox_NJHA_Board_2020

by JW Cox

I think we can all agree, with the current situation our world is in today, nothing is close to normal. What has a sense of normalcy is the continuation of the awesome events within this great breed. I have traveled to several states throughout this time of COVID-19. In Kentucky, we were fortunate to host our state fair and to give exhibitors a place to compete with their livestock. I was lucky to attend multiple female production sales this fall, including the Boyd Beef Cattle and the Burns Farms and Friends sales. I also had the chance to attend the World Beef Expo and I am thrilled to roll into Kansas City, Mo., for the American Royal.

I am counting the days until I can attend the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., in a few weeks. Everyone can agree, in a time like this one of the best feelings is seeing old friends you have not seen for a year. Before the pandemic broke out, none of us realized how blessed we were to attend cow shows and to see our friends and our Hereford family. We took seeing our friends and exhibiting cattle for granted. I can speak for many when I say I don’t want to wear a mask but, with the new normal, if wearing a mask means we can have an event or go compete in the ring with our stock, the effort is well worth it.

Another new normal for the coming year is the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City (OKC), Okla., scheduled for the same time in January as the cancelled National Western Stock Show in Denver. Although we won’t gather in the historic Denver Yards, I am sure we as a livestock industry and a Hereford family will adapt to and embrace the new event in OKC as 2021’s new normal. Together we will be Hereford strong!