Part 8: A part of history that is not as common – or not talked about much – is the eradication of the screwworm that caused a lot of damage to the cattle herd (and humans!) in the past. For all of the reasons listed below, the story of screwworm eradication is one of the […]
animal welfare
Branding Cattle in Colorado
I’ve had some questions about branding cattle, so I thought I would share some facts along with pictures from our recent branding cattle work with weaned calves. What is a brand for? A brand is a permanent identification marker. Each ranch or cattle-owner has their own unique brand to identify their cattle. My state doesn’t […]
The REAL Food Day | A video blog
My comments about Food Day via a video blog. For more info, go check out CommonGround Nebraska’s blog about The REAL Food Day.
The Pioneer Woman | Agvocate
Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law, Lindsay, for introducing me to The Pioneer Woman and her blog. P-Dub, as she sometimes calls herself, is a self-proclaimed city girl now ranch-wife and mom. She is an excellent writer, shares about homeschooling, cooks healthy and hearty food, and a great photographer. But what I love most about her […]
Donate your car to charity – not HSUS
There are several car donation programs across the U.S. In an email I received today, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is asking for your car donation. Their One Car One Difference program they quote, “…you’ll help support our community-based programs to steer at-risk youth away from dogfighting.” It’s funny how the wording […]
A rancher’s vacation
While others I know are vacationing in Cabo, Padre or back East, Ronny and I spent a “vacation” last week helping my family in Colorado artificially inseminating (AI) our cowherd. It was great to spend some time at home and with my parents – even if it was pretty hard work! I think this is […]
Terms in ag sound funny to the consumer
“Let’s go round up that pen of steers from the backgrounding lot to process.” To the average person, this sentence probably sounds like another language. I know sometimes there are even terms that farmers and ranchers use that I’m not used to. It can become confusing when you really don’t know the meaning. I know […]
Barbed Wire Shaped Western America
Part 4: I look at barbed wire as a form of art. The hundreds of different designs in the wire, the barbs, the twists, etc. But it was created for a use: to help manage where the cattle could roam. Think of the U.S. before any pastures – one big open range with natural landmarks […]
Antibiotics Changed Our Outlook on Life
In the Beef Producer section of the Farm Progress June Issue, staff compiled a great section on the 10 Greatest Beef Innovations. I think they are all worthy to note, so I’d like to start a series featuring them and adding my input to the new technology in the industry. The one that caught my […]
Sustainable Nutrition | Cattlemen to Cattlemen
My family’s ranch in Eastern Colorado was featured on the NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen show on RFD-TV last night. My dad has been working with a beef cattle nutritionist from Purina Mills, who has developed a product for sustainable cattle nutrition that can be customized to meet the cattle’s needs. Our family has practiced intensive, […]
