In flight from North Dakota to Nebraska. Cows and cow people are suffering from the drought in our country. Some worse than others, and not because of the lack of moisture, but the lack of preparation. They have just gone through a real tough winter, and now a real tough growing season. I am convinced that you need a extra years feed stored and available in this tough country. You need to know how much standing and stored feed you have, and an inventory of what you have that needs to consume it. If you have to much to do in normal moisture conditions, how are you going to do even more work that drought always creates? We should probably have our stocking rates set for between normal and drought conditions and manage our work load for an 8 hour day so we can add to it if it’s extreme circumstances. When we are not in a drought, we manage like there will never be one. We should do just the opposite. If you have prepared when times are good, when times are tough you have the ability to prepare and take advantage of the good times ahead. You would be ahead of the movement rather than behind it.

Just an observation from outside the ring.

Two real good days of programs covering drought management, using dart guns for treating animals, and I got to work live cattle one day, and rope to tag and doctor the second day. I really like North Dakota and North Dakota people. I would move their in a minute. The three North Dakota Extension shield maidens for agriculture (I’ve been watching “Vikings” again)Lisa Peterson, Nichole Wardner, and Katie Wirt are to much fun and do a very good job helping producers produce. Dr Stuckka is a guy that I really enjoy how he presents his knowledge, combing science with a whole bunch of plain old fashioned common sense. We also got to eat what has become my favorite steak, the “flat iron” both days, thanks to North Dakota Beef.

I also got to help 4H youth with their projects. We worked with pigs, goats, beef and dairy cattle the first day. I really have to say I enjoy working with kids and seeing how good they will understand proper pressure if given the proper pressure to learn. The pigs were the same. They worked just great and I really enjoyed it.
The next day we had steers and lambs. Same deal. Real dedicated parents and kids.

I have gotten to work with several different 4H and FFA groups this year with horse and livestock. As my hero Temple says “Animals make us human” and I sure think that’s right. The commitment, dedication, and emotions learned from a young person working with animals is a valuable life preparation lesson and I feel sorry for young people that miss this in life.

Headed to Lincoln, Nebraska for stop two of NCBA’s Regional Stockmanship and Stewardship event.