ProRodeo Sports News June 14th, 2019

when I need to be gone.” Much of the Prairie Circuit region has been in drought conditions the last several years, but much like Becker and McMaster’s roping, the 2019 season is shaping up to be different for both farming and rodeo. Like rodeo, farming is a bit of a gamble. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the farm takes a hit, but a good weather forecast is on par with making a good draw. “It’s hard to tell yet, but with the storms

going through we’ve been fortunate and missed the hail,” Becker said. “The wheat is looking good where we’re at, and we’re pretty lucky so far. We will have a much better wheat crop than we’ve had in years past. “The wheat is looking good, but the corn is having trouble getting it in from all the rain. We’ve had 15 inches in May, and that’s quite a bit for us. We usually get 4-5 inches, if any. Our average rainfall for the year is 16-18 inches.” Becker’s farm is far enough west that he’s dodged the washouts and flooding issues that are under way in eastern Kansas where his roping partner farms. “We’re flooded pretty bad right now,” McMaster said. “We’re waiting for it to dry out. My father-in-law is ready to plant some beans, but we have to replant some corn, too. It’s pretty hard, but the cattle are on grass now, so we’re just plugging along.”

“When I’m home I try to help on the ranch. I’m fortunate my father-in-law

lets me slip away to go rodeo.”

– DAWSON M C MASTER

There’s a silver lining to the ongoing rain clouds. “The grass is going to be tall if it ever dries up,” McMaster said.

OFF THE FARM, INTO THE ARENA Becker had a bit of a gap between his permit in 2005 and his rookie year in 2018 since he didn’t have a steady roping partner. “I got lucky on getting a partner,” Becker said. “It was through a game of golf, honestly. We’d known each other since high school.” McMaster began his permit in 2008,

Photo courtesy Dawson McMaster Farming is a family affair for Dawson McMaster as he and his in- laws work about 12,000 acres raising crops and cattle in Kansas. Pictured is Larry Miller, the grandfather of McMaster’s wife.

then joined the PRCA in 2013 and has won between $6,000 and $16,000 each year since. This season already is shaping up to be unlike any they’ve had. The ropers have picked up checks at seven rodeos, most notably $1,173 at the Haysville (Kan.) Rodeo, May 4, and $932 at the Beef Empire Days PRCA Rodeo in Garden City, Kan., May 25. “It’s rough out there,” McMaster said. “It’s kind of a grind at times, but you keep going and finally you’ll draw good and win some money. You just try to keep going. There are ups and downs, and hopefully it’s more ups than downs.” As of June 10, Becker was ranked fourth in the Prairie Circuit standings for team roping heading, while McMaster was sixth in heeling. Both have earned $5,835. Their goals have shifted from simply qualifying for the RAMPrairie Circuit Finals Rodeo to winning the circuit. “We’ve had a successful enough start here to have the goals change,” Becker said. “We’d like to win the circuit this year, but we have to keep catching steers cleanly.”

Photo courtesy Nick Becker Nick Becker noted that farming is becoming a “precision job” with how rapidly it is changing.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/14/2019

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