Terry Bradshaw Lights Up Closing Ceremony at Farm Bureau Meeting

You've seen him throwing the ball on the football field, recapping a game on FOX and ESPN and starring in movies such as Failure to Launch. For myself and more than 5,000 farmers and ranchers at the 91st Annual American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, we got to see him in a whole new light: as a keynote speaker talking about his farming experiences. Many of you might not know that this football legend owns 58 Angus cows, 40 hogs and a barn full of race horses. He can drive a tractor, bale hay and take care of livestock, and he brought a fresh new perspective to the meeting at the closing ceremony of this event.

I'll let the celebrity speak for himself today, and I have included a portion of his keynote for your listening pleasure. Bradshaw reminded producers that in good times and bad, we need to smile and be thankful to be alive. He shared his trials and tribulations in his own farming experiences, and of course, he indulged in a few football stories, too. If you don't have time to listen to Bradshaw's speech today, I've listed my favorite quotes of his below.

"Whatever our knowledge is we have gained from experience. Farming is the greatest drug in the world. There is no greater drug, no greater addiction than being in the farming business," said Bradshaw to a cheering crowd.

"I wake up every morning at 4:00 a.m. You know why? I can't wait to get outside and check on my livestock. I can't wait to get out of bed and get to farming. I have total appreciation for farmers doing what they do. I know the hard work it takes to get the job done."

"In farming, no matter how much you make, or how much you lose, you're still fired up and planning for the next year. We are jacked up about agriculture, yes we are."

BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Did you know Hall-of-Fame Quarterback Terry Bradshaw founded an organization called PIGS FOR JESUS? This organization exists to do one thing . . . provide food for the hungry. Raised on a ranch near Thackerville, OK, these pigs are processed and distributed to the needy of the Texoma area. Hams, ribs, and other cuts of pork are passed through VISTO, a local food bank, and then taken to thousands of children and families in need. In its first week, PIGS FOR JESUS fed 600 children and 200 shut-ins in Gainesville, TX.