Bulls all part of the family
FROM BULL rider, to underground miner , to bull stock contractor for PBR Australia, 41 year-old Jason Dittmann is willing to try his hand at it all, and his determination and will-to-succeed has paid off. Big time.
Sitting in second place as a stock contractor on the PBR leader board, Dittmann contributes this to a combination of hard work, the money behind him to buy good bulls, and treating each and every bucking beast as part of the family. “They’re treated even better than my kids,” he says with laugh.
“I have a nutritionist make up their feed, which costs a fortune, but they’re worth it.
“Between the bulls’ high protein feed which allows them to put 2kg on a day, vitamin shots, worming, B12 shots, and keeping them in tip-top condition with regular exercise and substantial rest time between bucking out of the chutes, each bull costs between $500-$600 a week to keep.
“I jog them one kilometre every day on a specially-made conveyor belt. I watch them carefully, and any that aren’t up to form I give them time off from the rodeos.”
Dittmann is very passionate about animal welfare, and does everything in his power to keep his bulls happy and healthy.
“A bull won’t buck unless it wants to, and we never hurt them by forcing them to. In my opinion, they’re looked after better than herd bulls, especially considering they get ten kilos of grain a day.
“Each bull has his very own feed bin, so I know he’s getting his fill.”
A social bloke, but also extremely driven and competitive, Dittmann does all he can to promote the sport he loves. “I’ve had coolers made, and bumper stickers. I don’t see stock contracting as a job, but more of a hobby.
“It’s my down time and a great excuse to catch up with mates, and have a beer and a laugh after the event.
“PBR Australia is like a big extended family that I’m proud to be a part of. It’s something my whole family can be involved in. My wife and two boys each have their very own bucking bull that they help feed each and every day.” With baby number 3 only a month away, and confirmed to be a girl, Dittmann is sure his little cowgirl will also have her pick of his prime bulls.
It’s certainly a family and friend affair for all of them.
“My good mate, Troy Dunn, lives just up the road. He used to cart some of my bulls for me years back.
“He’s been an inspiration in me becoming a stock contractor for the PBR.”
It hasn’t been an easy ride for Dittmann to get where he is today. He’s worked hard, and sacrificed. An underground miner for nine years , he then went on to start his very own project management company with 260 staff.
Never one to shy away from hard yakka, to add to the stress of managing that many staff, he now has 23 bulls beneath his belt.
“I look for bulls with a good nature seeing as they are going to be around my kids, and with heaps of rear and drop for the arena. I hate to lose so I strive to win at everything I do.
“Stock contracting is no different. My bulls are a prized possession and they are treated that way. I want to have the best bucking pen in Australia.”
Dittmann has had his fair share of injuries over the years, a punctured lung being one of the worst while bull riding.
As a stock contractor he spends more time on the ground and found himself in hospital a few months back after being run over by one of his bulls.
“I was wearing thongs, and slipped over in the mud, and with all the hullabaloo the bugger got excited and did what he does best when a bloke is on the ground, defends his territory.”
Like a true rodeo man, Dittmann tells this story with a light-hearted edge.
“The family and I are heading over to Las Vegas for the PBR World Finals at the end of this year, and we can’t wait. It’s going to be a trip of a lifetime. Although I like swagging it sometimes, it’ll be nice to flash it up and stay in a nice hotel with room service.”
A true-blue Aussie, with a big heart and a warm how-ya-going persona, it’s blokes like Jason Dittmann a person wants to see make it…a big congratulatory pat on the back that he has.
I jog them 1 kilometre every day on a specially made conveyer belt... — Jason Dittmann