Saw this commercial on Sunday in the middle of the NHL All Star game and thought it pretty appropriate to share.

Out here 9 to 5 is actually 5 to 9.

Ain’t that the truth. Of course, the commercial promotes sale of Honda ATVs, but it’s also promoting the hard work of rural lifestyles – like that of a farmer/rancher with a full-time job in town. Waking up and getting the chores accomplished before the crack of dawn, feeding the stock and repairing fence. Then when the guys get home one is out casting a line (boy, wouldn’t that be nice!), moving the cattle, and another is hauling hay. Though, I have to say it’d sure take a while to clean a whole pasture of square bales with that ATV alone. 🙂 Point is, I’m sure there’s a story behind this one.

After a quick Google search I found another Honda video that highlights the Yolo Land and Cattle Company of Yolo County, California. The video highlights Scott and Casey Stone and their use of horses, dogs, and ATVs on a 12,000 acre ranch. The Stone family has 500 Angus cows on a ranch that includes varied range land, irrigated pastures, and row crops.  Marketed as 100% Natural, grass-fed, the family sells a variety of beef products. According to their website, the Stones also offer a variety of tours where visitors can experience the ranch with a heavy emphasis on the Ecosystem. Sounds like a pretty cool experience.

Just like the previously featured McDonald’s commercials, it’s awful neat to see positive agriculture stories like these worked into commercial television slots. Gives non-agriculture consumers a good connection to farmers and ranchers.

My family has used ATVs on our ranches for several years. The 4-wheelers just make it easier to get around pastures quickly, follow rough terrain on fence lines, and cover ground that a pickup can’t but quicker than on horseback. Cattle will become familiar with them just as any other means of transportation with a little imprinting and time.

I’ve been known to have a little too much fun on 4-wheelers from time to time. Like shattering my nose while checking cows in 2007. Or burying my wheels in a creek bed… But you won’t catch me flipping down pond banks or cutting doughnuts in the dirt roads. That’s my brother’s specialty.

Have you ever used ATVs on your place? Have any interesting stories to share?

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.