"We work every day...not just sale day!"

Monday, May 20, 2013

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? Did you know the one who takes care of others all the time are usually the ones who need it the most? Did you know the 3 hardest things to say are I love you, I'm sorry, and Help me. Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you ha...ve to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in. To all my friends who are going through some issues right now--Let's start an intention avalanche. We all need positive intentions right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

APRIL COLDEST ON RECORD

Well...we've had the driest summer on record with the least numbers of brood cows on hand, preceeded by the highest bull prices on record, followed by the highest hay prices on record, and now the coldest April on record. I for one, am going "On Record" as saying I'm ready for a normal year.  What ever happened to April showers bringing May flowers?  Maybe it's April snow brings May grass that didn't grow.  Thank God for snow even if it does come in April or we'd still still be in a drought situation.  Then what?      

Sunday, April 7, 2013

IT WON'T HURT THE KIDS

I had to use the wipers coming home from a sale last night....what a novel idea!  It was only for a few miles and had it been 15 degrees colder it would have been a blizzard.  Mostly wind but enough rain to clean the windshield and thank God for that because it's hard to find a gas station with window washing supplies this time of year. 
 
I hope the weather app on my smart phone is telling the truth.  Looks like we could get wet several times in the next ten days.  That'd be very welcome in our part of the country!  Cows are tired of hay and cowboys are tired of feeding 'em.  Farmers are sitting at the edge of the field trying to decide whether to plant and irrigate, plant and pray, wait and pray some more, or go to town and look for a day job.  I get calls daily asking what pairs are worth.  Seems like everybody is getting geared up to pull the plug on cows if it don't rain. 
 
Let's hope God 'pulls the plug' on a big ole black cloud and pulls it soon.  RAIN WON'T HURT THE KIDS!

Friday, March 8, 2013

THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU'LL MISS IT

The moisture situation's looking up!  Sales have been rescheduled, buyers have showed up late,  prices have been good, roads have been nasty,  winds have been chilly,  and bankers seem to be happy.  All because of the recent changes in the weather pattern across Bull Sale Country. 
 
That's the good news...and to quote the late Paul Harvey, "Now here's the rest of the story".   Feed's still higher than a Woodpecker's hole in a Red Wood forest,  gas is too,  sale managers are never as happy as you'd like for them to be,  basketball tournaments take precidence over calving heifers, Congress doesn't seem to have a clue,  filabusters are back in favor, and if you live in or near Billings, Montana there's a good chance you missed getting much moisture. Thank God it's a small area and mostly inhabited by beef eating, beer drinking, city dwellers.  Rain is on it's way!


Sunday, February 24, 2013

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOVEL RAIN

We need moisture whether it comes as snow or rain!  Lack of demand and cautious buyer attitude for replacement heifers is driven by fear of another dry summer and recent record high feed prices.  I'm convinced that if I could figure out a way to pipe thunder and lighting into these production sale barns we could raise the price on both heifers and bulls by a good amount.
 
If we do get wide spread rain this spring, look out!  The prospect of ample green, lush April/May grass drives cowmen nuts!  They'll fall over the top of each other to get it stocked.  God knows they only get one chance to harvest spring and early summer grass when it's at it highest in nutrient value.  That's their pay day, they're good at what they do, and for many of them it's the only thing they know how to do.  So, let's hope for a wet spring and a break in this drought cycle.  We've got people to feed!
 
 It's not cool to have major storms during calving but having ample feed for the herd is a better deal than being short on feed after a good weather calving season.  Overshoes in the calving barn and a rain coat at breeding time make for a happy banker at shipping time.  Keep your fingers crossed.
 
 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

BQA CERTIFICATION....it's Free!

Thanks to a National Sponsor, BQA Registration will be available at no charge until March 15th.  See below:


For More Information, Contact:

Rene Ward, 816-236-8276

Associate Director, Public Relations and Internal Communications

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.


 

Ryan Ruppert, 303-653-6905

Senior Director, Beef Quality Assurance

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association


Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Becomes Sponsoring Partner for BQA Certification

Producers get educational resources for operational improvement, and ways to talk with consumers about the beef industry

DENVER, Feb. 6, 2013 — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased to announce that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is partnering with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, and will be sponsoring the cost of BQA certification for American cattlemen and cattlewomen this spring.

The cost of BQA certification is normally $25-$50; however, between Feb. 11, 2013 and March 15, 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. will defray the cost of the certification, making it free for producers.

“BQA provides cattlemen with the tools they need to produce the safest, highest quality beef in the world while also looking at ways to make their operations more efficient and productive,” said BQA Senior Director Ryan Ruppert.

Ruppert notes that BQA is the gold standard of livestock handling and animal welfare programs, and that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s support of BQA certification demonstrates the company’s commitment to improving the industry and telling consumers about the sound production practices most cattlemen use every day. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has also placed emphasis on managing herd health before problems arise to prevent issues and keep operations running efficiently.

The BQA has customized programs specific to cow/calf, stocker, feedlot or dairy operations. These easy to use modules teach sound management techniques they can apply to their operation. The cattle industry has embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do; but certified producers also report improvements in efficiency and increased profitability. It also helps cattle operations tell their story to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

"We're proud to partner with BQA to bring this important certification program to more American cattlemen and dairy producers," said David Korbelik, director of cattle marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. "Much like our Prevention Works approach to animal health, BQA is about monitoring and making incremental improvements throughout the life cycle to prevent disease and ensure a quality end product. We will also be working with the BQA to allow access to the training and certification program for animal health and veterinary students.”

Those interested in taking advantage of this BQA certification opportunity can go to www.BIVI-BQA.com. “It’s clear that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is committed to helping consumers understand that beef is produced in a safe and humane manner,” said Ruppert. “This partnership will help producers learn about the latest industry advancements and demonstrate the ways they continue to provide a top-quality food product.”

For more information on the BQA program, visit www.BQA.org. To complete the BQA certification process, visit www.BQA.org/team.

To learn more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Prevention Works program, visit www.bivipreventionworks.com. To learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. visit www.bi-vetmedica.com/cattle.

Like Boehringer Ingelheim Prevention Works on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BIVIPreventionWorks.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

 

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to be socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability, are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

 

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $17.1 billion (13.2 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area of Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5 percent of its net sales.

 

For more information, please visit http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/boehringerus.

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Thursday, January 31, 2013

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Wish I could tell you what the bull market is going to be like this spring.  Not a day goes by without someone asking me that question.  So far sale averages have been good so optimism is holding its ground.  Gas and fuel are some lower but feed prices are a lot higher.  It's even snowed a few times in the last month or so indicating that the cycle could be broken.  Is the drought cycle broken?  Seems to me that folks have not forgotton how dry is was last year and how dry it still could get.  Cows numbers are the lowest in years yet cattlemen feel helpless and unable to take advantage of the opportunity to sell on a truly supply and demand market.  Pastures got hurt badly last season.  Spring and summer grazing won't be as good as you think even if it does rain cats and dogs.  So back to the bull market after a lot of rambling.  I'm predicting they'll be good with maybe averages a little lower than last spring but profits could be as good or better.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

ONLY 100 DAYS TO "G" DAY

Gotta love this cold weather, right?  As I pull my Grandkids thru the snow behind the 4 wheeler it makes me think how hard it would be to find a golf ball in the snow and how cold the fingers would be if and when I found it.  Sometime around the end of April I plan to hit the links again.  But between now and then there's a lot going on.
 
Like Katie trying to get a new start in the news and talk show business (she just won't give up),  the National Western Stock Show (which is where most of my clients will be for the next week or two), Montana's Legislature in session (session may not be the correct terminology), calving season (when High School basketball doesn't get in the way), and God only knows how many bulls to video and production sales to attend. 
 
All I know is if I can hang on and survive it for another 100 days or so I can take a much needed break and play some golf with the Grandkids and some of my old codger buddies.  It's interesting, the Grandkids hope they can drive the cart and the buddies hope they and drive the ball.  Me, I just hope I am around to enjoy it all.  Let's have a great spring sale season!