Blogs

Calving, branding, weaning and shipping, these are the seasons in a cattle producer’s year. Although every producer knows what happens after shipping, their job is to get the cattle on the truck as easily and in the best shape as possible. An entire year’s worth of work is over in just a few hours. Some producers are relieved after this moment, while others worry that their livelihood was just put into the hands of someone else to finish the job.

Once in a while, it’s good to get away from home for a bit to reboot and refresh the stale routine of whatever your particular routine may be.

Although I was leaving more unfinished chores than completed projects at home, I reluctantly struck out for the Red River country in mid-June. In spite of my ignorance-induced hesitation, I had the good fortune to spend a few days in June in and around the Ardmore, Oklahoma, area as I attended the Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference, hosted by the Noble Research Institute.

The plot is thickening in regard to foreign trade policy in the U.S., and farmers and ranchers have already had their fill of tension.

My wonderful wife is the picture of perfect health, with only one known ailment: She suffers from what is known in the medical community as “white coat syndrome.”

6:43 a.m.
He cracks the bedroom door open, just an inch or two, and hears her discussing with the 2-year-old the civil rights of the roan horse and the heeler dog, and why they have to sleep outside.

It’s funny how the world goes around. Francisco and I were checking cows, making a big circle early in the morning to beat the heat. It’s peaceful out there.