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!