Meet Aussie, a remarkable Australian shepherd and beloved ranch dog of the Erickson Family from Madera, California.
From catching gophers to keeping predators at bay, this devoted nine-year-old dog is integral to the Erickson family’s 2,500-acre cattle operation.
“She is wholeheartedly devoted to protecting the farm, and nothing stops her,” says Kaydence Erickson, who credits Aussie with helping her chicken breeding business thrive.
Whether guarding livestock, riding along to check fields, or celebrating her wins (like catching her first squirrel), Aussie’s dedication, resilience, and joyful spirit embody what it means to be a farm dog.
Congratulations to Aussie and the Erickson Family on this exciting award!
Related Stories
Nebraska cattle rancher Joe Van Newkirk joins us to discuss wildfire recovery in Nebraska’s Sandhills athe challenges ranchers face restoring basic infrastructure after the fire.
Utah Senator John Curtis joins us for “Champions of Rural America” to discuss new legislation to improve forest management and wildfire prevention and its broader implications for rural communities and infrastructure.
The fifth-generation operation is managing land and cattle with a long-term focus.
EPA’s approval gives citrus growers a new disease-fighting tool against greening at a time when production losses remain severe.
California almond acreage tightens while pistachios shift into an off-year, shaping a mixed outlook for prices and supply in the tree nut market.
New treatments offer hope, but challenges remain for beekeepers.
