THE NEXT YEAR GAME

Ever since I can remember the business of farming and ranching has been a "Next Year" adventure and I  suspect that trend will continue.  How else are the bankers and the retailers and the blue state voters going to keep good honest hard working folks on the land raising food and fiber at bargain basement prices?  Thank God what we do every day is a great way of life regardless of the risks we encounter.  Who else would dive into debt deeper than a Hollywood swimming pool and compete with the weather man for a chance to make a payment at the bank and at the same time say they love what they do?  We do and we're darn good at it.  We work hard to secure a future for our families and protect our integrity while wishing and waiting for that one year (or so) out of seven that after the fact and looking back was actually rewarding. When summers are dry, winters are severe, inputs are high, and it seems like a bust, who but farmers and ranchers do their very best to stay positioned for "Next Year"?   My wish for all in our business is that 2013 will be that year!       

  

FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS

Another fall sale season is nearing the close...prices have been good and business brisk!  College football will soon have ran it's course.  Bred stock is establishing value and changing hands. We've all had a taste of winter and I'm sure there'll be more.   So, why not get on with enjoying the holidays with family and friends?

 

I for one am looking forward to a break in the action.  It's been a fast and furious fall run for me and my outfit.  Now it's time for this old fat Santa to switch gears and get ready for a house full of grandkids, questions, and noise!  Oh what a change that'll be.  Out of six grand kids, three were all born on the same day (twins and a single) and will be coming four year olds in the spring.  Sound a little like a sheep herder don't I?   The 'Texas Twins' will be here for three weeks.   Don't know how they could get any more spoiled but I'm bettin' on me.  

 

Among all the holiday hustle and bustle let me remind you to give thanks for the blessings in life and our great industry.  I hope you be especially thankful for the best gift of all...the gift of Jesus Christ our saviour.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

 

WHAT'S A COW WORTH?

There's a lot of rumbling out there about the bred female market.  How will it be compared to last year?  Will only those with hay and/or those with hay they didn't sell at the top of the market be on the look out for bred stock?  Is it a buyers market or a sellers market?

 

Prices seem to be a little all over the board with buyers being selective as to calving dates and quality.  One thing for sure, cowmen are fairly convinced drought can happen!  They may have short memories but they all seem to remember the summer of 2012 and most are convinced that it could happen again.  I hope not but have to agree it's a little stressful to think about buying replacements when you don't know what the grass situation is going to be.  At best, given last year's dry season, most of the range land is going to require some recovery time even with moisture. 

 

With all that being said, I guess I'd offer that bred stock is selling well considering what we've been thru but there're darn sure no run a ways.  Ranchers by nature are cautioually optimistic but this year I am finding them optimistically cautious and the market reflects some of both!  So...what's a cow worth?  I'd say what ever you can get for her or what ever you're willing to pay.  Not great advice, but advice just the same.

 

 

CALL TIME OUT AND HUDDLE UP

It's the playoffs, we’re in the fourth quarter with one timeout  left, worst field position of the game, nothing we’ve tried has worked,  the backup quarterback has gone to the locker room, the season’s on the line. Now what?  Will the coaching staff change our game plan, will the quarterback audible, or will he go it alone as usual in search of victory and fame?

As a small business owner, wish I had some answers. How about you?  One executive order or thoughtless audible can change the game and ultimately the season’s outcome.  The United States could become oil independent, OR NOT!  We could walk over the financial cliff, OR RUN!  Let’s hope the offense and defense will start working together.  We don’t only need a first down right now, we need some serious touch downs and time is running out!  God help us, if there’s a Hail Mary in your plan please send it our way!  We have to get back in control of the game.  Our reputation and our kids future are at stake. Somebody call TIME OUT! 

NILE 2012 in the Record Books

 

The 45th annual NILE Stockshow and Rodeo is in the history book.  Weather and attendance were both great!  Cattle numbers were up 20% and the barns were busy with sales and shows.  There was a lot of talk about the long, hot, and dry summer as we expected but all in all attitudes were "Rancher Style".  Folks were glad to get away and walk the streets and sidwalks of the city for a change.  A well attended rodeo topped of each night of NILE 2012. 

 

I talked with a fellow from Nebraska who indicated he had cattle in three states just to keep grass in front of 'em.  When he mentioned three states my first thought was hungry, thin, and fence crawling!  Been some of that going on too.  Calves have been moving out of the country along with any cow or bull that's not pulling their part of the load.  Many have decided to keep heifer calves and sell cows thinking they can run more calves on the same hay pile and maybe give the range a rest next year because of the drought this year.  Makes sense but sure is causing a lot of market talk since marketing is a little out of the ordinary in most cases.

 

All I know is you don't have to know much to be an expert in these kind of times.  When folks start asking for my opinion, those who know me start to show a little concern.  Guess I'm not an expert in any kind of weather.  But, sure is fun to guess along with the best of them as to how it's all going to shake out.  If I had a barn full of rain or even snow it would sell real well this fall.  

RAIN WON'T HURT THE KIDS

It wasn't a lot but it was a lot more than it has been,  that's for sure.  I headed for home early this morning from Great Falls just so I didn't miss out on driving in the rain and snow.  Can you believe it? I enjoyed the drive.  Fell in behind a couple of trucks and just motored along like I had the rest of my life to get home.

 

Yesterday I videoed cattle in the Valier area and let me tell you it was most unusual watching the sky bank up with clouds.  Clouds that looked like they had rain in them!  Even the weather man was pretty sure of himself and his predictions for moisture.  Was glad we started a little early and hustled all day even missing lunch to get done before the storm.  Well, before the storm but not before the wind storm before the storm.  Darn that temperature dropped fast when the front moved through.

 

Sure doesn't take a lot of rain to change attitudes after a summer from hell.  Talked to a couple of  cowmen at the Beef Council office who were grinning from ear to ear.  I offered to send them a bill for the rain and both said they'd gladly pay up.  Hope someone remembered to tell the school teachers to go ahead and let the kids out to plan in it at recess.  Rumor has it that rain won't hurt the kids.  Anyway, it was a refreshing change and darn sure needed to scrub the mud and gunk out of the sky and help soften up what little feed is left.  The ash and dust build up on my paito was about to take over.  Many prayers were answered today!

MONTANA ANGUS TOUR A SUCCESS

Western Montana's 2012 Angus Tour was well attended in spite of smoke filled skys in the West and concern of new fires across the rest of the state.  Attitudes are good considering the summer we've had.  One thing for sure...everyone agrees we need rain! 

 

There  was a lot of talk about the price of bulls this fall and next spring.  My conclusion....it's anybody's guess but the general consensus is they will sell well given current and future cow numbers and demad for replacement females. 

It seems to me we are at a time in the market cycle were the good ones will comand premium pirces.  Quality should rule and buyers could be more selective as we move forward in an uncertian economy.  Quality was certianly the rule of the day at all of the tour stops.  Four busses and lots of cars and trucks in the caravan proved to be a good time with great eats and conversation along the way.  Some had more fun that others but if you weren't on the tour you'll never know who they were.

 
 

SUMMER ENDS WITH A BANG

It's been a busy end of the summer season for me with Montana Fair and getting moved into a new home.  As a Metra Park Advisory Board member it's preferred that one spend time at the fair all ten days.  That's a long time!  Especially when you're makeing plans to move the following week.  You'd be surprised how many friends you can come up with when you have complimentary rodeo and nite show tickets.  I have fun waiting at the front gate for a family who deserves free gate passes.

 

Speaking of the new home, I went from a four level one car garage to a one level four car garage.  A much needed change and I'm looking forward to enjoying it to the fullest.  I bought the old place back in 2001 to live in for a few years until I decided where in Billings I wanted to settle and ended up there for twelve.  I'd say it served me well.  If you're in the market for a really nice condo rental in Billings give me a call.  I'd love to be your landlord! 

 

Labor Day is here and it looks like the fire season is going to stay with us for a few more weeks.  I don't know about you but I'm getting tired of hot and dry and smoke!  We're getting lots of calls and emails to let us know there'll be good numbers cows for sale this fall and some even sooner.  Many are planning to wean earlier than usual and will be cutting herd size due to shortage of pasture and high priced hay.  If you or someone you know will be needing good brood cows let me know.  The list is growing and the quality will be right.

 

WHAT'S AROUND THE CORNER?

After a cooler than normal spring and hotter than normal summer, my question is, what will the fall and winter bring?  Pastures are short, feed prices are high, brood cow numbers are down, and chatter is rampant with producers wondering what the future will bring for the livestock sector.  Where will calf prices settle and what kind of winter is in store for us?  Did the hot dry summer affect breed back?   The answers, critical to the bottom line for all of agriculture.

In a conversation earlier this week regarding fall and spring beeding bull prices, lots of factors came up as possible indicators.  Like cow numbers, feed prices, calf prices, winter conditions, bankers, slaughter bull prices,  heifer retention, AI utilization, fat cattle prices, you name it.    The days of $2,500 averages are behind us one would think.  Demand for heifer bulls will most likely be strong.  Breeders with volume sire groups to select from may by rewarded.  Positive slaughter bull prices should be a factor.  The concensus, who knows?

Can't speak for all but many of us are in the livestock business because of the 'Next Year' factor.  We work hard this year hoping next year will be the one.  Gotta love it! I would enjoy and encourage your comments to the blog.  Your insight and knowledge on the subject is more than welcome. 

 

LET'S PLAY DROUGHT SCRAMBLE

The dought is taking its toll in so many ways.  Where'd you get the hay?  What did it cost?  Have you sold your calves?  Do you have enough pasture?  Are you planning to early wean?  What are pairs  bringing?  Can you find me some hay?  I might have cows for sale this fall.  What's this calf market dong?  Wish I'd sold mine earlier.  Do you know of a good feedlot.  They say corn's getting higher than a cat's back!  Did that fire get on you?  You name it, everyone's concerned and rightfully so.

But, the one question I haven't heard yet,  How's your golf game?  That's the only one I can answer for sure.  My golf game is most certainly not good.  Been too busy finding hay and all that goes along with finding hay to play much golf.  Then when I do, the phone gets to ringing or emails start coming in and I loose my concentration.  As if I ever had any concentration to start with.  Went golfing with a friend just the other day and wouldn't you know it, a lady friend sent me one of those mushy emails (should have left the device in the pickup) and in no time I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn let alone a golf ball.  Golf balls, if you don't know, are about the size of a politician's brain and thus damn hard to connect with.  Plus, tri-focals don't help much other than making it look like you're wearing an extra pair of shoes. 

So, needless to say, it's been a frustrating spring and summer for all of us in the livestock business.  Time will have to be the one to answer a lot of the questions.  But, if I had a crystal ball I'd be asking the man upstairs just what kind of winter he has in store for us.  And you thinking,  what business do I have with a crystal ball when I can't manage a golf ball, right?  Pray for rain or snow or highwater,  what ever we can get.  We need it!   

YOU CAN FIND IT BUT YOU CAN'T GET IT HOME

Finding hay for clients has been a challenge the past few weeks and looks as though it will continue to be a struggle.  The drought circle is big so competition is keen and freight has become a huge factor.  Ranchers are at their wits end trying to decide if they should buy high dollar hay or sell down and already sold down cow herd.

Get this, our neighbors to the North have a bumper hay crop and have had for several years.  There in lies the problem.  They haven't had a need to transport hay so consequently all the Canadian hay truckers have found other ways to make a living.  Canadian hay raisers can't find trucks to move the product South.  U.S. truckers are finding it difficult to get licensed and legal for crossing the border.  Have they been quilty of taking business away from the folks up North?  I think not.

But I do find it interesting that Billings, Montana can have the driest year in over 66 years and 250 miles North of us hay is in abundance yet we can't get it across the border where it is so badly needed.  Wouldn't you know it, our congressmen are busy running for office while our trucks are standing still.  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have cows starving on one side and hay rotting on the other side of an imaginary line when you're in the cow business.       

WHAT THE HAY?

 Where are hay prices headed?   It appears to be supply and demand at it's finest, however, when greed and ingorance enter the equation, look out!  A trucker/haybroker friend and I put in an 18 hour day and 780 miles yesterday in search of hay for our clients.  Yes, there's lots of hay in Northern Montana (where they get rain) but little or none that hasn't already been spoken for.  If you need hay, you could be too late!  The highways were lined with hay trucks headed West and the country roads were loaded with hay seekers knocking on doors ready to buy on the spot.  It's a frenzy I wouldn't have believed had I not experienced it first hand.

Fortunately we landed several hundred ton of high quality, put up right, alfala thru a business contact who had promisied to hold his supply (24 hours) until we could get there for a look.  At another location, we found a couple hundred ton of  the 'Turd Maker' kind that was put up dry (a little cheat grass) and at the advice of my trucker friend, not freightable.

Where's it all headed?  I shipped pairs to Western Montana last week off an outfit that had to cut numbers due to drought and two of their neighbors showed up at the chute saying they too were overstocked and were seeking answers.  This week they were splitting pairs at the Billings sale barn and many yearlings are coming off grass early.  We'll most likely see some early weaning in the near future.  How's this going to affect the calf prices down the road?  Where are corn prices going?  Can we believe the government numbers?  Shall we buy hay or sell cows?  Demand for quality protein and the taste of beef combined with variable weather patterns can be in interesting dynamic at best.   

COLSTRIP AG TOUR

I recently toured the Colstrop power plants and Rosebud Mine with the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee and was very impressed with the hospitality shown our group.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

BQA - MEAGHER COUNTY STOCKGROWERS

Recently, Meagher County Montana Stockgrowers gathered for a work day at the County shipping yards combined with a BQA 'Lunch & Learn' training and Certification session.

Bill Pelton - BQA State Coordinator, Nick Campbell - Pfizer Animal Health Area Manager, Rhonda Dove - Pfizer Summer Intern, and Nico Cantalupo - local Extension Agent provided program details and information to the group of over twenty local Stockgrower members.

TAKE A NAP ON FATHER'S DAY?

How about Bar B Q ribs for Fathers Day?  Sounds like a good idea to me.  According to Fox News red meat is one of the habits we men have developed that can help us live longer.  Here's what they had to say we needed to do on a daily basis to increas our life span:  (1) Six cups of coffee (2) Two glasses of beer (3) One twenty minute nap and (4) Eat red meat.  If I can figure out a way to get that twenty minute nap in every day I could be on track to live forever!

In my busy season it's hard to find time for a good night's sleep let alone a nap but I think I've figured it out. During the slow season I'll take two twenty minutes naps each day.  So far it's been working and I'm really liking it.  Recently during one of those short naps I dreamed that I retired and opted for the two-a-day nap program the rest of my life.  I no more than fell asleeep when my cell phone rang and put an end to the whole fantasy.  Anyway, HAPPY FATHERS DAY and take a nap if you can!

LOW STRESS CATTLE HANDLING

Dr. Ron Gill of Texas does a great job of demonstrating low stress cattle handling.  Do youself a favor and watch his short YouTube video.

MILLION DOLLAR RAIN

What a difference a rain makes! This week I traveled from Sidney, MT to the Centennial Valley on the Idaho border and let me tell you, rain does make a difference. Even though we're a long way from 'out of the woods' it's looking a whole lot better out there.  Over 600 miles from one end to the other and all of it much improved. And most noticeable were the attitudues of those making a living from the land.  It is amazing what an inch of moisture does for the spirit!

The best beef brisket you've ever stuck a fork into at the recent Mon-Dak Stockgrowers meeting and BQA event held at Gartner-Denowh Angus Ranch' sale facility.  

Sunrise on the beautiful Centennial Valley

Stibal Ranch pairs headed to summer pasture.





MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

Memorial Day always brings back memories of lilacs in bloom and rainy days.  As a young boy I vividly remember helping my grandmother collect lilacs from the back yard and gather forget me nots from the North slopes on the ranch.  Country boquets arranged in coffee cans wrapped in tinfoil and weighted with rocks were the order of the day.





We'd load the pickup with me and the cousins riding shot gun to prevent the dreaded 'coffee can tip over' then off on the ten mile treck to the cemetery.  Seemed like she hauled the whole ranch to town that day... and it always rained!      Regardless, I trust you'll pause to remember those who blazed our trails knowing they too had dry years but it was the wet ones that kept them coming back.  One can only hope it will rain on Memorial Day this year!

THE CALF WHISPERER

There might be more than one way to skin a cat but there is only one way to halter break a calf.   The old method of tying them up to something solid until they're tired, sore, and mad, then turning them loose with the halter rope dragging has to go.  It's time you start practicing safety and humane cattle handling and do the job right.



Kelsi Gambill

Recently, Kelsi Gambill made believers of several previous skeptics as she demonstrated how to take a couple of heifers from a feedlot pen and have them fully under control and unafraid of human beings in about 3 1/2 hours each.  The photo above is of a 1040 pound heifer after just two hours into the program.  She came back on day two for another hour and a half to reinforce what was learned on day one.  Kelsi not only knows what she's doing, she exhibits a passion for the method.  If you care at all about cattle and kids, you'll make it a point to either learn how to do it yourself or have Kelsi do the job for you.  Give me a call if you would like to learn more. 

WORK 'EM LIKE THEY'RE WATCHING

Folks, we'll be working cattle here today so check your technology at the cattle guard... there'll be no gadgets allowed!  And oh by the way, remove your belts and boots and everything that's loose or might come loose then stand on the mark with you hands up high over your head.  We need to look you over real good.  You see, we want to be certian that the envoronment is safe for our workers as they prepare to brand, vaccinate, casterate, dehorn, and whatever else may need to be done to insure our outfit operates at a profit.  We do apologize for any inconvenience but hope you'll understand that the health and well being of the world depends upon our product regardless of the fact that some don't see it that way and are working hard to run us out of business.  They'd prefer to live on lettuce alone and a life of weakly ever after.  As far as we're concerned, they can have all the high protein lettuce they can get their hands on so long as they leave us alone to feed those who prefer real protein.  Ok, let's get to work and remember, this outfit adhere's to BQA protocal at all times.   

MORE ON WORKING KIDS

Finally our President has seen a flicker of light and backed off his quest to make it so that farm and ranch kids can't help out with the regular chores and duties that's been expected of them since the beginning of time.  Doesn't he know that work ethic got it's beginnings in the field of agriculture?  Farmers and ranchers are the core of existence.  Come on Mr. President, get a hold of the rope,  kids who grow up without responsibility are the crux of this county's problems.  Work is theraputic!  Let 'em do it at home and away from home.  Those who learn to work, like to work.  What a novel idea.   

IS PINK SLIME BEHIND US!

The American Meat Institute has developed and educational website on Lean Finely Textured Beef - aka "Pink Slime". I would encourage anyone and everyone in and around the cattle business to go to www.meatsafety.org and become informed. I am tempted to report what I learned from the site but don't want you to have a reason not to go there and learn for yourself. The site has all the facts, simple as they are, spelled out via video and print. It's unfortunate we didn't have this information before the story went viral. Let's learn from the experience and educate ourselves so we can block future attempts to damage our industry.

COMING TO AN END

The end of the spring 2012 bull sale season is rapidly closing in on us. It's been a fantastic run with record prices, plenty of enthusiasm, and quality next to none. Much of the area I travel is in need of rain but the forecast looks like that could happen soon. Calving has never been easier! Now we need grass to turn them out on. With current gas, fertilizer, and other input prices we'll need all the pounds we can get. There's lot's of speculation out there regarding feeder calf prices this summer. Like I've said before, it's supply and demand at it's finest but let's not let greed and ingorance get in the way of progress.

Can't speak for you but I'd whole lot rather talk about rain or lack thereof, high or low gas prices, how much a 600 pound calf might bring in July, or anything but all this election junk we're getting shoved up our alley on a daily basis. If you or I ran our operations the way most politicians run theirs, there'd for sure be too much bull to service the shrinking cow herd. I'd rather watch the grass grow!

INSURE WITH US

We'd be happy to cover your spring bull purchases thru American Live Stock Insurance, Inc. where rates are compeitive and service is next to none. Go to our web site for details.

BILL PELTON Agency is set up with American Live Stock, Inc. to submit applications and deliver policies electronically. The process is simple and turn around it fast. Give us a call or send an email to get the process rolling.

BIRTH WEIGHT & CALVING EASE

There's been a considerable amount of talk about the effects of winter feeding programs and birth weights in and around the production sale circles lately. The concensus is that birth weights this year with our mild winter compared to last year's severe winter are as much as 8 to 10 pounds lighter on identical matings.

Melvin Leland of Leland Red Angus, Sidney, MT penned what I thought was a great article pointing out his experience, not only with feed condition differences in birth weights but also his view and experience coupled with research data on a number of factors affecting birth weight and calving ease. Melvin is a student of his business and points out some very interesting facts that make a lot of sense on the subject. Melvin states, "As a rule of thumb, it takes a calf weighing 85 lbs. at birth to finish at 1200-1250 lbs. A cow should easily give birth to a calf weighing 8% of her own body weight. Thus, a 1200 lb. cow should give birth to a 96 lb. calf with ease."

At any rate, I found it to be quite informative and suggest you go to either Leland's web site or mine, www.lelandredangus.com or www.billpelton.com, for his article on page 11 of their 2012 bull sale catalog. I know, calving ease is king at tournament time, but in my opinion, we need to challenge ourselves on birth weight if we hope to maintain and grow weaning weights in the future.

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether or not you want the 'politicians' spending your tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a goo job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of it's recent releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no one walked on the earth.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the current rate of U.S. government spending.

Might want to give this information some thought as you listen to the policitians who have supreme benefit packages, and better than supreme retirement packages, and throw the word billion around like drunken gun slingers. They have to win to keep the fancy salary and benefits so is it possible they'd lie to you to win? Is it likely they've pulled the wool over our eyes a billion times already. I'm telling you, watch 'em, it's an election year and they're in survival mode!

A TRIBUTE TO CAYUSE LEADERSHIP

The United States livestock industry is fortunate to have been afforded the committment of time and expertise that NCBA's outgoing President, Bill Donald, gave to all who live and work in and around the cattle business. His leadership and love of the industry and its people definately shows thru and always will radiate across our land.

Bill is a "get 'er done' kind of guy. Hard work and tanacity describe him best. And, he's not beyond a little fun along the way. Like the time at the Montana Stockgrowers summer meeting in Lewistown when the Charley Russell Choo Choo Train was hijacked by robbers. Bill left the robbers to do their work while he exited the train, untied their horses, and sent them on their way down the rail road right of way. None other than Bill Donald would get that pulled off. I'll never forget the look on the robber's faces. They didn't seem to understand why those of us being robbed were laughing until they peered out that train window to see Bill slapping their trused steeds on the butts to send them on their way.

My hat's off to Bill for a job well done, full knowing he is not done doing his job of working for the brand. The industry will see a lot more of Bill Donald, as we should. Trust me, there's not a colorful and charismatic character like Bill Donald under every rock! We are so blessed to have him on our side.

SALE SEASON

Over the next 90 days we'll see thousands of bulls and a good number of replacement females go over the block as production sales unfold around the region. Seedstock producers are doing their homework and providing a product packed with performance and backed by numbers. There'll be a lot to pick from and good ones at every bend in the road. For the record, this cattle market's been picking up steam daily so I'd suggest makeing a plan and getting to it, in so far as your bull battery is concerned.

Wish I had time to attend the NCBA Convention this year. Bet it'll be one of the most exciting and well attended conventions in their history. Livestock events are experiencing record attendance. Good times are upon us! How can we help assure our current level of prosperity? By paying attention to detail and staying informed on issues that affect our industry. Join a livestock industry association, what ever it is, and become involved. Until you do and if you don't, in case you didn't know, we're outnumbered!

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CONGRESS

I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Livestock Congress while in Denver for BQA Updates. The topics were critical to the current state of our industry and the speakers were tops with the theme for the day, Producing more beef from less land.

From Grass Fed vs Grain Fed to Sustainability, Traceability, and Productivity, you name it, it was covered and covered well. Statements like, "Certified Tender programs are being asked for" or "Water is our number one problem, it will be the next oil" caught my attention. Then, how about the "U.S. will be an oil exporting nation by 2020, and a big one"? Or, "The feed business is the garbage business".

At any rate, it was a RED LETTER day for me and the take home from it all...by the year 2050, the world will demand twice as much beef as we are currently producing. Might I suggest, the train is leaving the station, regulations, politicians, activists groups, and all. It's a great time to be in the cattle business, however, the pace has drastically picked up!

TOO MANY REGULATIONS?

Our industry is a buzz about regulations and we're not alone. It's rampant in every industry. Everywhere I go and everyone I talk with expresses much concern over too much regulation. Business folks are finding it difficult to grow an economy laden with regulation. I, like most of you out there, feel some regulation is good but where will it end?

If you didn't see the January 4th article in the Washington Post indicating that FDA is looking to take antibiotics away from the livestock industry, you need to go on line and take a look. We could maybe live with a change in how and what we use for antibiotics so long as it gradual and grandfathered so as to give us a fighting chance to seek alternative solutions. Speaking of solutions, those developing and defining the regs are good at identifying the problems but give no time nor thought to possible solutions. The very issues they propose to regulate were at one time solutions to economic problems. Solutions driven by industry research, not environmental nor social whims.

Our market is strong, our product is good, and it is in demand. Let's not let our guard down on issues that could take us out of the business in a lesser market!