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Raising the future

Melisa Goss
Jun 2, 2023
Jun 2, 2023

1 of 7

Aspen Senn, 13, and mom, Heather, load hay for cattle on their ranch near Opal, S.D. Heather will serve as West River Crop Watcher this season.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Customers look over the bull from Senn Red Angus ahead of the annual sale at Faith Livestock.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Heather Senn climbs into the tractor to complete cattle chores.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Heather Senn walks through the yard at her family's Opal, S.D., cattle operation.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Heather Senn is serving as Tri-State Neighbor Crop Watcher for western South Dakota in 2023.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Heather Senn will give reports from her western South Dakota ranch through the summer and fall of 2023.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

Senn Red Angus is located near Opal in western South Dakota.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Melisa Goss

If there is one lesson Heather Senn wants to teach her kids, it’s that life is precious.

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Crop Watcher Senn (47).JPG — Heather Senn looks on as her husband, Jerry, addresses the bull sale crowd.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Crop Watcher Senn (23).JPG — Customers look over the bull from Senn Red Angus ahead of the annual sale at Faith Livestock.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Crop Watcher Senn (58).JPG — Customers gather at Faith Livestock for the annual sale hosted by Senn Red Angus.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Crop Watcher Senn (228).JPG — Heather Senn ranches in western South Dakota. She'll give reports as a Tri-State Neighbor Crop Watcher in 2023.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Crop Watcher Senn (220).JPG — Jerry and Heather Senn raise Red Angus cattle in Opal, S.D.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Crop Watcher Senn (160).JPG — Heather Senn cuts netwrap from a bale before feeding on her Opal, S.D., operation.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Melisa Goss, Assistant Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ag’s vital impact around the world, from America’s heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Hartford with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.