Weekend Wrap-up

Well I’ve had a busy week and a million things on my mind.

Last week I began work with the Dairy here at the Research Station. I have a good month ahead of me in the “teat puller” (a.k.a. milk transfer engineer) business, but will be doing much more than milking cows. It’s a little different being on the udder side of cattle production. I’ll be helping with calving out a few cows and breeding work as we move into December. This ought to be a good learning experience for a guy who’s never stepped foot into a dairy.

This work gets me excited about future work on my Master’s degree! Looking forward to it!

This weekend I made an early trip home to Arkansas, Melissa cooked an awesome meal of t-bone steaks and all the fixins for an early Thanksgiving with both sets of grandparents. It was nice to have all the brothers and sisters in the house at one time. I have a feeling we’re moving into that stage where it will be difficult for everyone to get together at once.

With each passing day at work, I learn a few more tips that are important:

• With each scoop of feed in the afternoon, I learn to be more accurate when feeding with the wagon.
• My inability to say “no” when asked to help finish up some tasks results in a 12-hour work day for me when everyone else gets off at 8 hours.
• Loyalty is a quality many people overlook or forget about. I think they need to spend more time with their dogs, then the world would be a better place.
• Speaking of Loyalty, I am so proud to see Cowboy Nation stick together. Oklahoma State fans have been loyal for years as their football program has been mediocre. This year it paid off, we made it to 10-0. Even after we lost at Iowa State, chatter on Social Media was still positive, and many Pokes turned to remember the Women’s Basketball coaches lost in an Arkansas plane wreck.
• The BCS loves the SEC this week. 1. 2. 3. LSU, Bama, Arkansas! Friday and Saturday should be interesting for football fans. Geaux Hogs! (Oklahoma State falls to No.4!)
• Jerseys are stubborn fools. Holsteins wrote the book when it comes to putting your head down and crowding into a corner. And yes milk cows do climb through, jump over fences.
• Sun Drop is awesome. And I found the crossroads of Minnie Pearl Parkway, Turkey Corner, and Happy Hallow. Gotta love Tennessee.

Lord gives Patience in Due Time

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! -- James 5

That's the lines that came to mind this morning as I was doing my reading and sippin on my coffee before headin out the door to feed. Little did I know the Lord knew what was ahead for my day.

Not much seemed to go smoothly. I was workin by myself this weekend, and the bulls seemed to know it. Receiving cattle is like throwing cattle into a classroom and elementary kids. They'll cough in each others' faces and snot in the feed trough. By the time they get done passing around and sharing each other's germs, you'll always have a few to treat. Also had one with a sore foot to clean.

Well long story short, one decided he wasn't going out the walk through gate and had to go the long way around. 10 gates later, he made it to the alley. Another decided to jump the feed bunk a time or two. Finally got my bluff in on him and guess he decided to cooperate. He was actually relieved to get the mud and rocks out from between his toes. By this time it was plain I wouldn't be makin it to church services and the bulls were already testing my "patience and grumbling."

The wind was kickin strong all day and it wasn't making things any easier. I went to feed the yearlings and the feed did nothin but blow back in my face. Then I got to the silo, had the silage started, and walked out to count the steers along the bunk. Guess the wind pinched the plastic sleeve runnin down the spout, it caught some silage and pulled the whole thing loose. I saw it happen and was just a few steps too far to make it before it wrapped in the auger. Oh geeze....

I found the spare roll of plastic and made another sleeve. Climbed all the way back up the silo to attach it back to the spout and finally got the calves fed. Then the wind kicked back in as I pitched out the whole roll of hay to the bulls. Half of it blew back in my face.

Had I not read my verses on patience today, I probably wouldn't have kept my cool, would have been frustrated, and something probably would have gone forgotten or messed up. But nothing was permanently broken, everything was fed and taken care of, and I made it to the table for steak and taters tonight. Despite everything that goes wrong, I just have to be thankful for my surroundings. Nothing's quite as peaceful as being around the cattle when they're fed and comfortable at the end of the day.

Guess it's just another day in ranch life. Can't wait to see what the coming week has in store!

Mind Cleansing Ranch Work

Had the weekend off this week and I have a terrible time sitting still for long; much less an entire weekend. A co-worker invited me out to his place to work some cows. We worked about 20 pairs, gave vaccines, dewormer, and I castrated the bull calves. Not sure if it's the meds or if I'm out of practice (I'll go with the first) but I seemed to be a lil rusty on the castrations.

My work on the University Farm with the yearling bulls is fun, but it's always a great day to work some young calves. We also set up a portable corral system. (Not sure why they're called portable if they're so heavy...) Everyone needs a break from work once in a while, a place to break away from the normal routine and get back to the basics of what we love. I just happen to love working with cattle.

Recipe: Pole Line Chili

It is a chilly Saturday night. College football has been kind to my teams once again. Skies are clear and we are set for another heavy frost. What sounds a better match for the late games than a big bowl of ranch chili?

Another recipe from my Trail Boss’ Cowboy Cookbook. This one is from the Butler Ranch in Aundale, Colorado. Here is the background according to the cookbook.

Pole Line is an old line camp on this historic ranch. Primitive as it is, we gather there with friends and family to cut our Christmas trees. It is a wonderful recipe that expands to 30 people. Children enjoy it and it cooks up well on a wood burning stove.

Pole Line Chili
2 lbs. ranch beef
8-oz can tomato sauce
12-oz beer
¼ cup red chili
2 med cloves garlic, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 ¼ tsp. dried oregano
Scant ½ tsp. paprika
1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
1 ¼ tsp. salt
Pinch cayenne pepper
¾ lb. cheese, grated
1 can chili beans

Brown meat. Drain grease. Add tomato sauce, beer, ground chili, garlic, onion, oregano, paprika, 1 tsp. cumin and salt. Stir to blend. Bring to boil; lower heat and simmer 1 hour, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Taste (best part of any cooking duties!) – adjust seasonings and add cayenne and beans, simmer, uncovered for another hour. Stir in cheese, remaining cumin. Simmer ½ hour, watching that cheese does not stick.

I like heat to my chili, so added a Serrano pepper. And I cut the time approximately in half and things still turn out well. Be sure to watch that cheese does not stick. Makes a perfect, easy one-skillet chili dish for a few friends, and would make a great treat for a crowd. Serve with warm cornbread. Enjoy!

Questions about Heifer Development

Spend an afternoon reading scientific journal articles like it’s the latest newsstand gossip and your head will be spinning like a carnival ride. If only I could master the art of speed-reading…
Everyone has a different approach to developing replacement heifers for their beef herds. Some simply focus on a good feeding and mineral program, consistent from weaning through breeding. Others approach with ideas of modifying nutrition levels and gaining the advantages of compensatory gains. Then there are physiological aspects of puberty; at what age and weight will the heifer reach puberty, how can we determine this point, and how can we manage this.
Reading all of these articles, I can get pretty wrapped up in trying to over think the topics and forget what I am looking for. Sometimes our best ideas start with the basics, then work their way up.
Here are some basic principles of heifer development covered in various papers:

• Heifers will reach puberty at a specific weight and age, which can be influenced by genetics and management of their environment
• Post-weaning management of heifers is critical to their longevity and productivity in the cowherd.
• Early (preweaning) rapid growth can have a negative impact on development of the reproductive tract and endocrine system in heifers.
• Once heifers reach puberty, fertility in the first cycle in lower, increasing with the second or third ovulation.
• In order for a heifer to calve at 24 months of age, she must be cycling and ready to breed at 15 months.
• Breeding heifers earlier in the season will increase their longevity in the cowherd with a restricted breeding window.

Now it’s your turn. What is important to you in replacement heifer development? What aspects do you have questions about? What obstacles stand in the way of breeding heifers to calve successfully and by the age of 24 months? Do you have any suggestions or opinions from your experience?

Wordless (Word-full) Wednesday: In Tennessee

Finally made it to ole Tennessee. Got the lyrics to the Vols fight song stuck in my head alongside Reckless Kelly's latest Album Good Luck and True Love. Horrible, horrible, I know...

Anyways, I've made it to my house, have most of my boxes unpacked, a giant pile of clothes on the floor, and have contributed entirely too much $$ to Kroger for groceries this week. I'll be stationary until my first paycheck. I have never seen such a large section of organic/natural foods in my life. But that's a soapbox, for another post, for another time...

Anyways, I've got an awesome view of the Research Station's Dairy barn from my front porch...

And the other night the sunset turned completely orange. I was kinda confused whether or not to holler GO POKES like I did at this sight in Oklahoma in Texas, or if it is more appropriate to holler (whatever the Vols chant is) now that I am in Tennessee. Still it's orange country, so who can complain with a sunset like this?

The sky REALLY was THAT orange. But as the sun set farther into the horizon, the sky turned back to normal shades of darkness. But still pretty impressive considering I am only 3 minutes from Target, Logan's Steakhouse, Buffalo Wind Wings, and Kroger.

Now to get Pistol into the routine of staying home. She's having trouble with the concept that she can no longer go to work with me every day any longer. Sad times...

Ranch Life Is All About The Pasture

Just because my day job is more fun than your vacation....

Not so excited about his girls leaving the pasture

Not so excited about having pasture time

Not so excited about a day's work after a month of pasture time.

Saw this on a road to the pasture and couldn't help but wonder if they ever found my dog named Blue

Wordless Wednesday: Colorado Ranch

As promised here are photos of my trip to Colorado from last week.

Dry creek bed still green from the latest runoff water

Moving a stray cow and her calf

The Rockies prove the only landmark to give direction on most of the ranch

Storm blew by but gave us a rainbow

Checking the hay grazer stand

Yearling steers on grass

Be sure to check out more photos from my trip on Agriculture Proud.

Traveling Times

Southwest airlines was awesome to me last week. 4 flights, nothing was lost, everything was on time (minus a bit of rerouting at the end, but what ya gonna do about a hurricane?). Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas all look different from the sky. Taking off and landing are like a ride on the roller coaster. I experienced my first rough landing the deserved a big applause that we made it safely. And I spent 14 hours in the airports and airplanes Saturday. Oh and how could I forget catching up on a week's worth of messages after my break from social media and computers? I'm done for...

8 hours in the air and more in the airports made for a good time to crack open a new book. 100 pages in and I can't put it down. Anyone already read this one?

Travel 100 miles just to ride in the rear of a cattle move? Yeah that sounds like the kind of trip I would take,

Got to watch the sunset from Houston on the way to Little Rock. Late flights to LR are always fun! Not only because I'm headed home, but the people are always awesome and ready to strike up a conversation. Let's call those Hogs!

More photos from my trip to come on Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday: Random Ranch Life

Yes I have a beef with chicken (More about this on Labor Day)

Road Trip and Fasting from Social Media

The trusty boot/duffle bag that follows me everywhere!

Taking off for a week long trip to Colorado Springs in the morning. An 8:00 flight out of Little Rock, an hour-long stop in Phoenix, a two-hour shuttle ride from Denver to Colorado Springs, a 30 minute drive, and I should find myself on a ranch in the Chico Basin of Central Colorado. It ought to provide a good view of Front Range of the Rockies and an awesome view of the Colorado landscape.
Not 100% sure what's in-store for my trip, other than I expect to do a lil work on the ranch. It's sort of a working interview situation with the ranch. I won't complain, I'll be ready for anything. It'll be nice to get away from the heat and humidity and see morning temps in the 50s!
One thing is for sure, my lap top will be at home. My sister lent me her extra memory card, so I should have plenty of room for photos on the trip. I have a note pad and paper, so I'll be ready to jot down a blog post if I need it. I'm turning off all text notifications for my phone, and hopefully it'll be a peaceful break from the social media world (withdrawals expected).
We'll have to see how things go. I'm taking a few new books to read because I'll have a few hours between my shuttle arrival at Denver and my departure, then a 3 hour layover in Houston on my way back Saturday. Expect plenty of photos when I return! It's gonna be an awesome week!

Photo Friday: Life from a Cardboard Box

This week has been crazy stupid. I've done more packing, traveling, and driving around town than I really care to do. I moved out of my house, threw my junk in a storage unit and carried a few cardboard boxes and my clothes to my dad's house. Traffic in town is crazy since public schools started back and Harding University (Private Christian School of 7,000+) starts next week. And it only goes up from here. Nashville next week. Denver and Colorado Springs the next.

And by packing, I mean throwing all my junk in the back seat

Rusty finally hit 98,000

Look! There's GREEN grass in North Arkansas!

Sure, dad let's me drive his pickup and this is what I find.

At the end of the day it's nice to take Five under the ole oak tree on the home place.

Photo Friday: Ranch Life

Time to start fillin up the stock tanks for the cattle. (Makes a good 300 gallon swimmin pool too!)

I can't tell ya enough how excited she gets to go check cows.

Grass is gettin pretty sparse. Hope we get some beneficial rains soon.

Had some storms blow by (impressive cloud formations) but only recieved rain one day. Better be thankful for what we can get, even if it's just heat relief from cloud cover.

The story behind all of these photos can be found on my Agriculture Proud blog!

Looking For That Open Door

About the only way I know how to read is when I finish one book, I go right on to the next. In fact, I actually read two books at a time; don't ask how I manage. This weekend I finished a book from an old cowboy friend and picked up the next from my shelf, Growing Up Colt by former Texas Longhorn Quarterback Colt McCoy and his dad Brad. Not that I'm a Longhorn fan, but rather a fan of Colt.

I think I was meant to pick up this one today. In the first few chapters, Colt talks about the roots his parents laid for him, as he finished at UT and his first start with the Browns. In it he talks about being patient, prepared, and keeping your head on straight. I look forward to rest of the book (30 pages in before I came up for air) and reading thoughts from Colt and his father. What struck me more was the viewpoint of looking for God to open a door after he seemingly closes another in your face. That's kinda where I'm at in life right now.

This will be my last week at the ranch in Southern Arkansas. Not that I want to leave, but sometimes we have to chose what's best for us. I hate moving. I hate not being able to settle in one place. But I'm looking for that place that fits me, and I'm waiting on God to open that door. Ranching is my passion, no doubt about that. I'm also passionate about sharing my knowledge and passion with others (hence this blog). But sometimes we take risks, and once in a while those risks come back to bite us. So I find myself "between jobs."

But I should count my blessings, as well all should. Only God knows where our path will lead us, and it's not our job to dwell on the past. I want to look for that open door. Where I can make a positive impact in Agriculture, build upon my skills in cattle production, and share my passion with others. I told myself a long time ago I was going to be a cattleman and make a difference, and that's still where my goals are set. I just have to figure out where that next step will be.

At this point, I may not have the stability in my life some employers are looking for, but I'm working on it. I do have my parents to thank for my good raising. Heck I really ought to thank my dad for putting up with me since my mom passed 5 years ago this week. It's been a rough road, but I have those principles to lean back on.

In Growing Up Colt, Colt lines out 4 principles his parents raised him by and even though they may not have expressed it, I'm pretty sure my parents gave me the same.

1. Prepare your children for the path, not the path for your children
2. Prepare your children to do their best
3. Prepare your children to be leaders
4. Prepare your children for opened and closed doors

I may not have kids yet, but can certainly thank my parents for what they gave me. Have you read Growing Up Colt? What did you make of it? I'm just getting started, but look for their to be some good thoughts to ruminate on throughout the book. If you do not yet have a copy, get one.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him -- Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Photo Friday: Another Long Hot Summer Day

Well, I miss Wordless Wednesday this week, so why not Photo Friday? Things have been hot this week in Arkansas. Wednesday the air temp made it to 114* with a heat index of 122*. I don't care who you are, that's H.O.T. right there.

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: A Day in Ranch Life

This week has been busy, busy on the ranch...

We hauled and stacked 300 square bales of horse hay on the hottest days possible (of course there was no wind)

I was pretty certain the neighbors were setting the world on fire (turned out to be a controled burn of canopy debris from a timber clear cut)

My horse decided to line up with the yearlings for his vaccinations (had to empty the alley to get him out)

And we got an inch of rain! (that also came with downed trees and fences)

But it's A-OKAY because each day is a fresh start!

How was your week?

Be Strong And Do Not Give Up



Where is the path in your life headed?
And who is at the center of your sights?



When someone asks who your favorite Bible character is, everyone has a different answer. Maybe it's a character from your flannel graphs in Sunday School, or that story rehashed by your Mother in your youth. Mine comes from a verse on the back of a Wrangler t-shirt. (Now you're either laughing or I've got your attention)

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. -- 2 Chronicles 15:7

I often get a funny look when someone asks what one of my favorite verses or characters may be and I respond with something from the Old Testament. But ole King Asa, his story is something that gives me strength. (2 Chronicles 14-16) Not that I've gone to worshiping Asherah poles, but there are plenty of modern day idols out there.

Asa was King of Judah. His reign had it's ups and downs, both a reflection of where his life was centered. When he lived a God-centered life, times were good, God watched over him, he was rewarded, and Judah was at peace. When things got to going good, Asa allowed his life to become Self-centered, he began reveling in riches and the glory of his Kingdom, and things took a turn for the worse. All a reflection of where Asa had his sights set.

For me, it's pretty easy to do the same. When things are going good, I'm making money, and life and work are going good, it's easier to set God aside and relish the moment. But the moment things turn for the worse, it's just as easy to start laying blame and fall off the path set for me. This is what I'd call a Self-centered life.

If I let God be the center of my life - going to Him for guidance, studying His instructions for me, thanking Him for the good things in life and looking for guidance when things get rough - I'll find myself on the straight and narrow. Things will go well, and when they don't I'll have that guardrail to keep me on the right path.

Let me give an example. Ranch work doesn't exactly lend itself to convenience to the world's schedule. The ranch isn't exactly in town, and it's pretty easy to come up with excuses for missing events with the church. Calving season sure puts me to a stretch, one thing goes awry on Sunday morning, and I miss services. My horse goes lame, there goes Sunday night's meeting. Mid-week meetings are easily skipped by claiming "it's just been a long, hard day at work and I'm too worn out to make the drive to town." It's alright, but I'm missing out on fellowship and encouragement I get from fellow Christians. I've still got my Bible reading at home and the landscape of God's creation on the ranch keeps me in touch. Then I start slipping on my Bible readings because watching television makes for less work. Before ya know it, I'm all bent out of shape. I'm living the self-centered life, because it's easier, whether I admit it to myself or not.

It'd be quite a shame to end up like that. Ranch life is the perfect way to live among God's creation, honor Him by caring for the land and the livestock, and being a Christian example for those around us. How ever isolated ranch life may seem, there are still those around us that notice how we are living. Now I'm not telling you that being a Christian means making every meeting with the church family, or reading your Bible every day, or giving everything to the poor. If you make God the center of your life, those things necessary will come naturally. Being a Christian is giving thanks to God for the gifts in your life, living on the path He has set for us, and giving respect to those around us, letting His light shine through our actions. You'll have a desire to study God's word and talk with other's about His gifts in your life.

I know I'm working on it. Every time I feel down in the dumps, like I'm slipping off the road, or like my sights have wondered off the path, I keep in mind King Asa. He was a man who lived for God, let his sights wonder, and God still took him back after he'd fallen off the path. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Wordless Wednesday: Wildlife Encounter

I had quite a week full of wildlife encounters from all kinds of birds, to coyotes, rabbits, deer, and this big ole hawk. Read more about the encounters at Agriculture Proud. Don't forget to enter the Blog Hop below!

Photo Friday: Summer Sunrise

So I caught these photos yesterday while I was making my morning rounds. I thought it was such an awesome sight, yet the camera caught it so differently. Not bad, just different. If only you could have been there. There is just something special about being in the pasture at 6 in the morning, when its 75 degrees, super humid, and the morning fog is just lifting. The cows are grazing quietly, but are in a hurry because they know the heat is coming back soon.

Any way, I captured these photos, but just can't pick my favorite. Help me out. Which do you like best?

Leave a comment and let me know your choice!
Be sure to check out my other Photo Friday post this week at Agriculture Proud.