Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 74 HOW DO YOU IMAGINE THAT THE TYPICAL MONTANA COWBOY IN 2050 IS DIFFERENT FROM TODAY'S COWBOYS? Being a "Cowboy" isn't what you do, it's "What You Are." I don't think that changes in the next thirty, fifty or hundred years… There will obviously be technology, market, and scientific advances that will change the job of the cowboy. The attraction of the cowboy lifestyle is that much of it doesn't change. Many ranches in Montana take great pride in the fact that they still do things the way they were done a hundred years ago. The brand- ings, gatherings, neighboring ranches getting together to help one another…I don't think cowboys and ranchers are willing to let that change. For many it's why they do the job in the first place. HOW DO YOU SEE TECHNOLOGY CHANGING A 2050 MONTANA COWBOY? Technology will continue to affect the cowboy lifestyle, from cowboys entering rodeos and managing their travel to ranchers in- creasing productivity. We will continue to see advances in livestock medications and treatments just like we will for humans. Every year there are fewer ranches, and cattle producers will use technology and advancements to benefit production. No matter what technolo- gy is introduced, it's still a hard lifestyle that will always attract the men and women who aren't afraid of the hard work. WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR MONTANA COWBOYS IN THIRTY YEARS? They will continue to be the same we see today. With the influence of social media, one person can say "synthetic protein" (fake beef) is better for health and the environment. It then takes a massive effort to inform consumers that that is not true. There will be a continued effort from the companies that produce synthetics to replace your beef-eating with their products. But the biggest challenge will be to continue to bring young people into the indus- try. As appealing as the "romantic" parts of the cowboy lifestyle can be, the reality is it is hard, sometimes stressful and grueling work. A job that many young people might not want to consider. BASED ON TODAY'S TRENDS, DO YOU EXPECT THERE TO BE MORE OR FEWER COWBOYS IN MONTANA IN 2050, AND WHY? I think there will be fewer rodeo cowboys, but they will make substantially more money. The roar of the crowd fades quickly during the overnight drive from Cheyenne to Minneapolis. Being a ProRodeo contestant is very expensive, and that's only going to increase. As it becomes more expensive, those who aren't making money at it will fade out and stay closer to home, or remain in it as a hobby, not a profession. The working ranch cowboys will become more efficient and that will likely mean less of them. If two cowboys can do the job of four through technology advancements, that will make the operation more productive. C O W B O Y S 3 M O N TA N A i n NO MATTER WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS INTRODUCED, IT'S STILL A HARD LIFESTYLE THAT WILL ALWAYS ATTRACT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO AREN'T AFRAID OF THE HARD WORK. yea rs

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