AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION - THE BUSINESS BREED

New Regions, New Opportunities

Talon Youth Education Learning Program provides diverse opportunities for hosts and students.

By Megan Clark, editorial intern

August 12, 2024

New Regions, New Opportunities: 2024 Talon Youth Education Learning Program

As the sun sets on a hard day’s work at the 11 Milliron Ranch in Sumner, Neb., Blake Long admires the new set of cattle on pasture. Occupying the driver’s seat of the pickup beside him is his host for the summer, Greg Ibach, who peers at the cattle he knows by heart but also takes in the sight of a hopeful cattleman, eager to learn.

“Wanting to see different large-scale operations in different regions of the world and in the states is really what led me to look into this internship,” Long explains. 

Originally from Adair, Okla., Long has grown up immersed in The Business Breed with involvement on his family’s mixed commercial and purebred cow-calf and backgrounding operation. 

“Since the age of eight when I started showing, I’ve competed at Angus Junior Nationals [National Junior Angus Show (NJAS)] as well as competed in all their junior contests,” he says. 

Prior to starting his junior year at Oklahoma State University in August, the animal science major is spending 12 weeks with the Ibach family as one of the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Interns. 

Apply for the Talon internship or become a host. 

Visit the “What We Do” tab on www.angusfoundation.org. The deadline for breeder applications is Oct. 31, youth applicants should apply by Dec. 1.

Due north

After enjoying a quick Mother’s Day lunch with his mom, Johnna, Long left the heat of Oklahoma behind and began his journey towards hilly Nebraska. Upon his arrival, he recalls the biggest thing that caught his attention was the darkness. 

“Let me tell you, around here with how small the towns are, when it gets dark — it gets dark,” Long describes. 

However, the warmth shed from the Ibach’s home was like a beacon. That first day of work, Long joined the Milliron crew as they loaded horses and prepared to gather cattle. As they rode in the pasture side by side, Long and Alec, Greg’s son and co-manager of the ranch, had a sense of déjà vu. 

It wasn’t until Long mentioned his involvement with collegiate livestock judging that Alec was able to recall their first introduction. 

“He mentions that he was an official at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic, where we competed at,” Long says. “I actually gave my set of Hereford bulls to him.”

Alec couldn’t remember exactly what score he gave Long, but he was thankful that it wasn’t a poor one. 

“It was a good score, but I was like, man, that could have been a really bad first impression if I would’ve given him a bad score,” Alec says with a chuckle. 

At 32 years old, Alec now works alongside his parents and ranch crew to help manage their Nebraska operation, but he’s been in Long’s shoes before. 

“One of the most important things in an internship, just from my past experiences, were that you really wanted to feel valued,” Alec says. “You wanted to feel like you were there for the right reasons.” 

With this being their third year hosting an intern, they’ve discovered their ideal candidate is a self-starter, who’s motivated and eager to gain hands-on knowledge. 

“We learn a lot from our interns,” he adds. “It’s really cool to see how spread out the industry is.”

Long, for instance, came with an easy-going attitude and a familiarity with how to work cattle. He says, however, he’s gaining a newfound appreciation both for Greg and Alec’s management style and the state of Nebraska. 

One of the greatest things I’ve seen so far has just been the different ways they rotate their cattle through the pastures.” — Blake Long  

Besides management decisions when it comes to grazing, changes in temperature have affected his workload dramatically as well. 

“Where I’m from, it gets too hot throughout the day where we can’t work cattle all day,” he explains. “We worked cows from about seven o’clock [in the morning] to six o’clock last night, and that’s been something that I’ve never been able to do growing up.”

On the long but productive days, good conversation makes the time fly by. 

“One of my favorite things is when we’re hanging out is if there’s anything going on in Nebraska, they know about it,” Long says.

Greg admires Long’s attitude and work ethic, while Long in turn appreciates Greg’s dilligence towards the herd. He describes his conversations with Greg as insightful.

From the beef industry to any competitive sport — the Ibachs are proud of their roots. 

“Alec will always look at me and say, ‘You don’t have to like Nebraska after this summer, but for this summer, you’re rooting for Nebraska,’” Long says. 

A good family meal has certainly helped make this summer house feel like home for Long. Chocolate chip cookies and macaroni salad have starred in the homemade meals Teresa’s delivered daily. 

“As someone who’s just spent two semesters at college having to cook for themselves, it’s nice to have a summer where Teresa is an awesome cook,” Long adds with a grin.

Teresa’s kept his stomach full, but Greg’s the one who is helping feed his cattleman’s mind. 

“Greg has also been awesome to be able to ride around,” Long says. “If there’s a cow out there, he can tell you pretty much everything about it — you just have to pick one.” 

For Greg, the feeling is mutual. He explains upon meeting Long, his first impression was hopeful. 

“Blake is very polite and intelligent, it was obvious that he was going to be willing to be a good worker and good asset during his internship on our ranch,” Greg says. 

Working cattle isn’t the only thing they enjoy doing together. 

When the clock strikes 5 p.m., Long doesn’t check-out. Whether it be enjoying a “world famous” chicken-fried steak at the local restaurant or spending a day on the lake, his involvement with the Ibachs extends beyond the confines of cattle ranching. 

“I really enjoy hanging out with them,” he says. 

Despite their different backgrounds, Long easily connected with the Ibachs — and that’s what the Angus family is all about. The junior has seen how the American Angus Association and its members take care of one another. From one region to the next, members are all branches of the Angus family tree. 

“As someone who grew up in the Angus Association since I was little, it is great knowing that the Association does give back,” Long says. “Whether it is showing, education or just trying to get work experience like the Talon internship, it has been great to know that they are looking out for more than just themselves.”

Alec also appreciates the internship program. 

“If a rancher asks, ‘Should you host a Talon intern?’ From our experience [our answer] is a yes,” he says. “I think that is a testament to the Angus Association selecting the interns. You got a really good pool of interns to have the opportunity to come and work for you. From our experience, you wouldn’t be disappointed.”

For Long, the opportunity has given him lifelong friendships and a new appreciation for not only 11 Milliron Ranch but the entire Nebraska beef industry. He says he’s been grateful for this experience and confidently encourages other NJAA members to apply. 

“Oh, I would wholeheartedly recommend it,” he says. “It’s been a great experience to just meet different people and see different parts of the world.”  

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