Protecting Farm & Family: Meet Aussie, the 2024 California Farm Dog of the Year!

The California Farm Bureau introduces us to Aussie, its 2024 Farm Dog of the Year! Aussie’s proved nothing—not even the loss of a limb—can stop her from protecting her farm and family.

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
Consumer demand for regional food systems is strong, but the challenge lies in scaling production and infrastructure to meet that growing need.
American Coalition for Ethanol’s Ron Lamberty shares the significance of California’s approval, opening up the country’s largest gasoline market to a cleaner-burning, often lower-cost fuel option.
Aubrey Aquino, producer and host of California Bountiful, joined us Tuesday to talk about their project, “Bountiful Finds.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom has until October 12 to sign a bill passed by the California state legislature allowing E15 sales.
UC Davis Professor and Extension Specialist Dr. Frank Mitloehner joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to preview the festivities and share why this event has become such a special tradition for the ag community.
Chad Rezniek with the Colorado AgrAbility Project joined us as part of National Farm Safety and Health Week to discuss the growing need for behavioral health support in rural communities.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

F-10 Wound Spray can now be used for livestock and other animals as officials monitor the ongoing New World Screwworm outbreak in Mexico.
China’s stricter inspection rules prompt Cargill to pause soybean exports from Brazil, briefly lifting U.S. soybean prices as traders anticipate potential shifts in global trade, as export demand remains supportive across all major U.S. commodities.
Suderman joins Tony St. James in the RFD Studios to discuss how geopolitical tensions are triggering global transport disruptions, new inflation pressures, and other challenges for agriculture to navigate.
Severe drought in South Texas is forcing ranchers to consider cattle sell-offs as feed and water supplies dwindle, threatening herd health and livestock operations.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney shares insights from new Real Agri-Studies research surrounding the relationship between farmers and their lenders and what it reveals about the current farm economy.
Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum explains how geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East could further tighten fertilizer movement, increase fuel costs, and complicate planting decisions for U.S. farmers this spring.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
“California Bountiful” brings you up close with the people, places, food and farms that make California so delicious! The weekly show delivers a fun, entertaining and educational look at California’s farm to fork lifestyle, and everything in between.
Follow Aumann Auctions coast to coast on a road trip adventure! Each episode of “Old Iron Adventures” highlights the challenges of hosting an auction. Plus, get behind-the-scenes looks, history lessons & meet a cast of very interesting characters along the way!
Discover the untold stories of farm families across the United States as they face tough decisions, adapt in unexpected ways, and fight to secure a future — for the next generation to carry on the farm. This unscripted documentary-style TV show follows the lives of ambitious farmers from diverse backgrounds across the US, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and unique stories of these farmers as they navigate the world of agriculture.
Mecum delivers the auction action to tractor fans everywhere, offering an unparalleled array of vintage and collectible tractors ranging from entry-level collector tractors that sell for a few thousand dollars to high-end, ultra-rare machines!
Hop in and travel with J.B. Sauceda on a road trip to discover ordinary people doing extraordinary things on the back roads of Texas. TCR’s longtime hosts Bob & Kelli Phillips have passed the keys to a new storyteller, who will continue the journey to uncover uplifting stories about oddball collectors, thought-provoking artists, and everyday heroes making the world a better place.