The last guy I shared a Men at Work experience with once drew a cow as commercial art. Brent Beck makes them. Well, not exactly makes them, but pretty close. Brent and his wife Tara own Beck Embryo Transfer, an active genetics company. They help farmers to use the best possible genetics in order to have the healthiest and best producing dairy cows.
My first career was as a Medical Technologist. I spent a fair amount of time peering into a microscope and handling all manner of bodily fluids. Furthermore, I’ve always loved science and a great entrepreneurial story, so I knew I would not be disappointed tagging along with Brent.
My first career was as a Medical Technologist. I spent a fair amount of time peering into a microscope and handling all manner of bodily fluids. Furthermore, I’ve always loved science and a great entrepreneurial story, so I knew I would not be disappointed tagging along with Brent.
A lot of farmers handle eggs, whether they have egg laying hens for personal use or for selling. But the eggs that Brent handles can only be seen through a microscope. The embryos in this photo are the very same fertilized embryos that Brent had flushed from a cow just minutes prior. These were taken from a genetically preferred cow and then were subsequently transferred to genetically inferior cows. Some eggs are fertilized in vivo (within the cow) while most of Brent’s fertilization work is done in the test tube (in vitro). Any remaining embryos that are not implanted are quickly labeled and frozen in liquid nitrogen for future use. This is cutting edge science but it’s not necessarily new science. Brent just does it so well.
We look for physicians with good bedside manners. As a veterinarian, Brent definitely has these manners in abundance but it’s the farmer and not the “patient” in this case who benefits. I was amazed at Brent’s calm demeanor as he accomplished four or five things simultaneously while also carrying out a lively conversation with the owner of the dairy and me. When I am concentrating on something important, I am utterly useless for anything else at that moment. Brent effortlessly multitasked repeatedly flushing the uterus of a three-quarter ton cow with all manner of equipment clipped to his chest. Flush, drain, filter and repeat until he was confident that the embryos were safe and sound in his sterile filter. Then it’s off to this mobile laboratory in his oversized van where he grades and separates the embryos for implantation or freezing.
Brent began his career in 1988 as a typical large animal vet. He worked for a veterinarian, eventually bought into the practice and later sold his portion of the business to a new veterinarian. The business side of veterinary work has its own unique challenges. Many men and women are talented vets but poor business people. Brent and his wife just happen to be extremely adept at both. They have built a thriving business together while also homeschooling their four children. Brent’s skills are in high demand and I cringe when I see the number of hours he logs in an average week. I feel hopelessly lazy next to him. But I usually see him at his kids’ sports events so he does his best to balance work and family--the holy grail of all men at work.
Two summers ago Brent and his older children joined several others from our church to share the gospel to passersby on the streets of La Crosse. It was the “practice session” of a summer long emphasis on outreach in our church. Brent looked forward to sharing this vital experience with his older girls. Brent routinely does this in his daily life when the opportunity arises. It’s not guilt or glory that motivates Brent, but love for his Savior and a compassion for those who need to hear of the Savior’s sacrificial love. Brent loves his job but this is really the core of Brent’s heart. I love how he is a steward of the animals he works with, of his wonderful family and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We look for physicians with good bedside manners. As a veterinarian, Brent definitely has these manners in abundance but it’s the farmer and not the “patient” in this case who benefits. I was amazed at Brent’s calm demeanor as he accomplished four or five things simultaneously while also carrying out a lively conversation with the owner of the dairy and me. When I am concentrating on something important, I am utterly useless for anything else at that moment. Brent effortlessly multitasked repeatedly flushing the uterus of a three-quarter ton cow with all manner of equipment clipped to his chest. Flush, drain, filter and repeat until he was confident that the embryos were safe and sound in his sterile filter. Then it’s off to this mobile laboratory in his oversized van where he grades and separates the embryos for implantation or freezing.
Brent began his career in 1988 as a typical large animal vet. He worked for a veterinarian, eventually bought into the practice and later sold his portion of the business to a new veterinarian. The business side of veterinary work has its own unique challenges. Many men and women are talented vets but poor business people. Brent and his wife just happen to be extremely adept at both. They have built a thriving business together while also homeschooling their four children. Brent’s skills are in high demand and I cringe when I see the number of hours he logs in an average week. I feel hopelessly lazy next to him. But I usually see him at his kids’ sports events so he does his best to balance work and family--the holy grail of all men at work.
Two summers ago Brent and his older children joined several others from our church to share the gospel to passersby on the streets of La Crosse. It was the “practice session” of a summer long emphasis on outreach in our church. Brent looked forward to sharing this vital experience with his older girls. Brent routinely does this in his daily life when the opportunity arises. It’s not guilt or glory that motivates Brent, but love for his Savior and a compassion for those who need to hear of the Savior’s sacrificial love. Brent loves his job but this is really the core of Brent’s heart. I love how he is a steward of the animals he works with, of his wonderful family and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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