KAUZ-TV: NewsChannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TXDirty Jobs In Texoma: Cattle Rancher

We've all heard the saying, "it's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it".
Newschannel 6 is starting a series on those so called "dirty jobs".
We went to a Texoma ranch where it was a down and dirty day for the ranch hands.
It's a job that some would never dream of, but it's also a job that plays a critical role in not only in Texoma but around the world.

"You gotta be used to it but you're not sitting behind a desk all day. You're outside. I mean there is bad days and good days," said Cow Boss Bob Benton.

Ranch hand Jackie Barnett told us, "As far as all that, I really don't know how to explain it except that cowboyn' gets in your blood and it don't make what difference God brings to ya you're gonna have to go in it."

These guys don't mess around at the Stuart Ranch near Waurika, Oklahoma. They spend their days outside, rain or shine, hot or cold, it makes no difference, they have a job to do.
The cows on the ranch are what help make up about $1-trillion in the U.S. food and agriculture industry every year. It's guys like these that help make up 18% of the Gross Domestic Product.
Those numbers are not lost to these guys who do this dirty job. They ride horses and brand cattle and raise animals who make a huge impact on the food chain.

Jackie Barnett has been on a horse moving cattle for most of the last 45 years. He understands the big picture and he also knows it's gone global.

"A lot of times you'll be eating McDonald's you might be eating a Stuart calf you know?? And, they go all over. Terry's starting to send them overseas and stuff it's a pretty neat deal you see like the calves you know, and then they grow up and we get rid of em," said Barnett.

Cow Boss Bob Benton agrees, "You know and it goes on down the line. When them cattle leave the ranch here your job is done, but what you do before that effects from when they leave here before they go to somebody's plate and it makes a big difference."

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry, who is from a long line of ranchers, agrees that while agriculture has become mechanized, the ranch hands will always be a crucial cog in the economic wheel.
Congressman Thornberry said, "Essentially you still need the cowboys to go out and round up cattle to do the work that needs to be done to get that beef to the table. It's part of our heritage in this part of the country."

While this job is one of Mother Nature and Mother Earth, and cattle and all they have to offer. It's also a job of passion. And, while some think it's dirty, those who do it every day will tell you it's more than a job, and they love it.

Benton said, "If you like it you'll do a lot better job. Some people, I guess, do it for a job. But, if you really like it and crave it, you'll do a lot better job, and it's not a job if you like it. You enjoy everyday of it."
I don't think it's a dirty job. I think it has lots of romance to it a lot of the folks who do that job can't see themselves sitting behind a desk, Congressman Thornberry said. " They want to be out in the wide open spaces with the animals and so forth, and that includes most of my family. So, it's a key part of our past, but it's also part of our present."

Next week we are going inside the largest dairy farm in Windthorst to take a look at a dirty job that most wouldn't" dream of doing, but you enjoy the product. That's next Tuesday night at 10 on Newschannel 6.