Raising cattle for Fair: not for the weak of heart

SIDNEY -- There is setting cattle loose in the pasture, and there is nurturing them and learning their personality.

Lilee Wieser has been around cattle all her life, and raising cattle for competition for seven years.

"It's definitely a huge commitment. It's a lot of struggles to come along with it. The biggest part of is is just the responsibility, and what you have to do to train these animals anywhere from 1100 to 1500 pounds," Wieser said.

She said no two animals are the same, which is a challenge of itself.

"They all have a mind of their own. And, it's just a lot of work from the halter breaking to maintaining their weight. You can't go over, you can't go under a certain amount of weight," Wieser said.

Care also requires they get enough nutrients, and water, she said.

When it comes to fair time, she acclimates them to their temporary environment. The extra effort helps prevent her cows from "freaking out." 

"It's a lot different than putting a cow in the pasture and taking care of it," she said.

Wieser says managing cattle develops independence and self-reliance.

"A lot of things I've learned is how to overcome stuff by yourself. This whole time I've had to halter-break. I do the feeding and stuff all by myself because in the end result I get the money. My parents don't get the money or anything," she aid.

She has learned to be physically stronger, and about the mind games between herself and cattle, and within herself. Life lessons are learned when cattle don't respond the way she wants, a parallel to when life doesn't go her way.

She sees herself following a career in agriculture.