As I’ve said before, with the exception of only a few months in a college apartment, I have spent my entire life on the ranch. Whether it was in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, or Texas, I have been immersed in a life of food production. Because of this lifestyle, there are many things I miss about life outside of Agriculture. But Oprah, you helped me learn something.

Yep, this 22 year-old cattleman from Arkansas watch the Oprah Winfrey show discussing veganism. I was inspired by all of the conversation about food choices, and the choice to go vegan. (Might I mention, when I heard the term “vegan“, I was expecting a discussion over all of the daily products we use that originate from animals. Abstaining from consumption of animal food products is referred to as being a “Vegetarian.” Quite the difference.) I was inspired by the fact that people are open to “radical experiments” like veganism, and that Oprah encouraged views to learn more about the origins of their food. And I was thrilled when visits to a feedyard and Cargill processing facility were included, but that is not where beef is produced. Food has much deeper roots than that.

No matter the weather, we're out feeding our cattle. Sometimes it's snow, but once in a while we get a beautiful day in our enivironment

I will have to admit, I am confused by one term used in the show: food hangover. According to UrbanDictionary.com a food hangover occurs after a food party (Party where you binge on food not alcohol) or just eating large amounts of junk food, you will get high of sugar or protien then crash into a food Hangover. Food Hangover symptoms are vomiting, head aches, and other unpleasant side effects to eating delicious food. The more extreme version of a stomach ache. If someone has a real definition, I would appreciate it. I looked but could not find one.

So you may ask, how does this cattleman eat “vegan-ish”. I eat a balanced diet; just as all of the food experts and nutritionists recommend. I eat potatoes and a salad with my steak. I keep a full stock of Rotel in my pantry, and every summer grow healthy, fresh vegetables in my backyard. I also use my education in meat science and animal nutrition to produce heart healthy, lean beef for my table. But I find it difficult to go vegan because so many products I use each day come from animal by-products. Not to mention that I depend on cattle for my livelihood.

Farmers and Ranchers are more than laborers. I would say we learn to use technology with the best of them, study chemistry, biology, mathematics, and psychology with the best of professionals, and we know our environments better than some scientists. We go Beyond the Beef. Ranching is my passion, especially calving season which is on the horizon.

These girls depend on me for food in the winter when forages are dormant. So I have to learn about cattle nutrition to provide their balanced diet

If tomorrow Oprah calls and invites me to come to Chicago, I would embrace the opportunity to share the story. I would love to share my story of life on the ranch in Arkansas, and how I work to produce beef for your table and fertilizer for your vegetables. I do not know if Oprah will get this message, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.