Next Generation

I should have taken pictures but I was so overjoyed, I forgot. My daughter who is about 17 months helped my husband and I feed on Saturday. This her helping last spring. She was up at 5 AM, as usual, but when asked if she wanted to go feed cows. She went into a little tornado. She gathered up her hat, coat, mittens, and shoes. She was ready to go.

The next morning she was awake at 5 again and was trying to take off her sleeper and put on shoes, at the same time. She was on the back of the pickup, grabbing handfuls of hay and throwing it off. She also kicked off the leftovers. All with a huge smile on her face.

Summit of the Horse

The Summit of the Horse in Las Vegas, NV has been going on all week. It is a group of ranchers, animal activists, and others discussing the need or not of horse slaughter in the United States. It has even recieved recognition from the Wall Street Journal.

In 2007, before horse slaughter was made illegal about 100,000 unwanted, untrainable, or otherwise useless horses were harvested, in the US and about 7,000 went to Mexico. Most of the meat was exported overseas for human consumption. By-products were used in the US for pet foods and zoos.

When the ban was enacted, about 54,000 horses with the number still rising, have been sent to Mexico. Unfortunately, our neighbor to the South does not have the same laws and regulations about humane slaughter as we do. Videos from Mexican facilities are unnerving to say the least and down right sickening in many senses.

The timing of the ban has created issues for many people. In 2007, was the start of the recession and many horse owners were and are unable to care for their animals adequately. Incidences of malnutrition and neglect have significantly increased since the ban. In addition to, horses being turned out on public and tribal lands to fend for themselves when owners are unable to properly care for them.

It is time to reenact horse slaughter in the US. It gives owners a humane, legal, outlet for unwanted animals. It allows for an exported product to help the economy. It also gives the horses a death with a purpose.

Is corn the root of all evil?

Think about it... Is corn the root of all evil in the modern world? We have obesity that is blamed on high fructose corn syrup, easy access to fast foods which use corn as a filler, and fat beef many of which have been fed diets containing corn. I am not going to even mention- corn whiskey, ethanol, and other uses. Or is it just our consumption and lack of activity?

I am as guilty as the next person about eating foods in excess. This is especially true this time of year. It is cold and I crave chocolate and caramel and well, really anything with a high carbohydrate component. Not exactly what a dietician would reccommend but it is winter and sweaters are a godsend. Most of these foods contain some form of corn in them. If you look at the label of almost all candy- HFCS is in the top 5 ingredients.

So why are people attacking the beef industry about their use of corn? It doesn't take away from other human uses. It adds to the CHEAP food supply. You know the one where we only spend about 10% of disposable income on food.

How time flies!

I have been working on my New Year's Resolution for several years now- to be more outspoken about Agriculture. So, this month I am celebrating my one year anniversary as a columnist in the local liberal rag. I write articles about misnomers in Ag. I have written on horse slaughter, feral horses, myths about red meat, "factory farms" and cutting of junipers. It started out very hard. What am I going to write about every month? Do I have enough information and time to keep up a column and a newsletter and now a blog? Seems I do. If you don't mind my erratic blogging, some grammar issues and a few nonsensical sentences.

In my column, I tend to incorporate some of our everyday life into it. For me, I think it helps bring to life the trials and tribulations of trying to raise livestock in an everchanging and increasing more regulated and scrutinzed world. It also reminds me that I didn't always have a job that included a computer. I used to spend hours in the pasture doing what I enjoy most. Now, I enjoy that time even more because I don't get the opportunity day in day out. I mean, I have a confession, I haven't been on a horse in over a month. Something a few years ago would have been a depressing sad day.

Back to the topic. Happy anniversary to the printed Corner Post. May the word continue.

Why?

I was sent an article by my sister. The link seems to be taken down now to the article but it was written from the perspective of a "ranch" wife. The grammar was poor, the punctuation was atrocious, and the story line was filled with false information and generally poor practices.

This "ranch" wife was attacked by a 35 lb rooster that had 5 inch spurs!? She discusses overflowing the water tank to the point it flows through the corrals into the creek. A bronc ride where she subdues her horse by whip and spur is included and finally, she ropes a cow and ties it to a tree until they can return with pickup and trailer.

Obviously this person, took all the wild stories she had heard and combined them into her own little fantasy. Not great! But for an industry trade magazine to publish it on the INTERNET. Shame on them.

This was obviously an opinion piece. They could have decided whether or not to publish it. But one look would show you, it was not true and could do harm to the industry. From the tailwater in the creek, to the animal welfare issues- what a mess.
Shame shame.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I think my new year's resolution will be to post more. I am going to try at least. I have a smart phone blackberry thingy. I will have to get smart enough to use it though! I also am going to try and be more active advocating for agriculture. It is just not enough preaching to the choir- which seems to be the rut I keep falling into.

Hope you have a wonderful 2011!

'Tis the season

Went and visited the in-laws over the weekend. Checked cows, fed cows, and checked out the horses. Sure is nice to think we only have one two year old to start this spring. It was so long ago that we had tweleve. Plus, the ex-stud makes an awesome gelding.

Here is Snip doing his work.

We are about 75% of the way through this calving season. My FIL has changed to 3 seasons for more branding opportunities, to try and hit different markets, and stabilize his cash flow. It works for them. It is also pretty innovative and helps the sustainability of the place.