I saw this add in the latest issue of Western Horseman.  I know nothing about their gear, but I sure like what this add says.

Went to Harlowton rodeo and got to help Son Rial get on a ranch bronc.  He might not have every thing in this world, but he has lots of try and loves riding bucking horses.  Maybe that’s all he needs.

Finishing my trip that started in Wisconsin then California, then North Dakota, then Nebraska. Good trip with lots of people with lots of cattle presented too. I also heard lots of speakers.

When I read or listen to some people in the private world, that are trying to sell you something they have, often times they criticize Extension folks and corporate representatives, and condescendingly call them “the smart people”. This is their right and may be what they need to do to get the thing they are selling sold, but I think sometimes they are only looking at it from their own point of view, and are not fair to the people that are giving so much to agriculture.

The extension and corporate reps I have dealt with have been great and doing the best they can to help producers do a better job. Are they experts on every part of it? No, but they sure cover the basics and it’s up to us to figure out what to do with it. They give us the idea, we have to expand on it.

The state BQA coordinators that I have gotten to work with are just great. They have taken it to the next level using technology and common sense. Our industry is so much better because of them. The consumer is so much better off because of them(and they don’t even know it), and the animals we are in care of have benefited greatly.

ROB EIRICH ENJOYING A LITTLE FUN HUMOR FROM LISA PEDERSON

I have worked with lots of these folks over the past 10 years, as well as many businesses representatives and have really learned so much from their knowledge.  Rob, Lisa, Gant, Libby, Travis, Jill, Tracy, Ashley, Marcy, Phil, Jerry are just a few names that pop into my head of some I have worked with, that should be very proud of what they are doing. So much to do, so little time and money to do it with.

I have been presenting with Ron Gill for lots of years now. I don’t understand how a person can have the time to get as much knowledge in ones head and practical experience as Ron has. He knows a lot about a lot. He has dedicated himself to educating producers in what he believes in. He is the most common sense, education and science based, with real strong morals, smart guy I know. On top of that he is lots of fun and makes life better for animals and people he comes in contact with. I have truly enjoyed all the time we have spent learning from each other, and sharing knowledge with the folks we get to present too.

RON GILL AND I AT KING RANCH

So to all you “Smart People” who are unselfishly giving us your all, thank you for what you are doing. Don’t get discouraged by people that aren’t quite as smart as they think.

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.