Name: Julie Choate
Parents: Mike and Cathy Choate
School: Pleasant Hope School, Pleasant Hope Junior FFA
What are your goals and plans of the future?
When asked if she has considered her future career plans Julie stated she was pondering the prospects of working in the veterinary medicine field in the future or maybe a career as a high school agricultural instructor. In the quiet county side near Pleasant Hope, Mo., Julie is honing her skills and learning a trade on her family farm.
In your opinion, what do you see as biggest challenges facing the Agricultural industry?
“Costs and expenses,” Julie said immediately. How could someone so young already appreciate the overhead and benefits of farm life? Julie has an obvious determination and devotion to her cattle and proudly takes on the responsibility of buying and paying the feed bill for her cattle. Julie has good business sense and understands the commitment and hard work necessary while also possessing a strong grasp of the 21 Century thinking of agriculture management.
Why do you prefer working with Polled Herefords over other breeds?
“It is because they are much easier to handle than other breeds,” Julie noted. While citing the disposition and docility of their herd, it is clear that Julie has made her prized possessions into gentle pets. Julie spends the bulk of her time training and grooming a barn full of registered Polled Hereford cattle, as her parents are busy tending to other aspects of their farming operation. At almost 12 years old, Julie said she had a successful cattle showing season in 2007 with her heifer, Morgann by her side, and looks forward to the coming season.
Are you anxious to enroll in the Pleasant Hope FFA program?
Julie said her plans are to enroll in the local junior FFA program this coming summer and to continue her successful cattle showing career. She is already preparing to go on the road this summer with up to a total of seven cows, bulls and heifers in the show barn. She certainly has two traits for what it takes to get the job done: Spunk and fortitude.
By Brad Thummel
