tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75606850946323091142024-02-18T18:58:01.121-08:00The daily cowmandaily ramblings from the luckiest man in the world.Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-28911118405874757842016-03-12T21:02:00.000-08:002016-03-12T22:39:04.279-08:00Dad, 8 years gone and still here everyday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTXP8yDt6LJurpR5ilOBzDbpC26ExOyLl-cAi5T157aQ-q61IdTBEomS7_AiIVp6Q94W8yfhuO0XLHnELml5j991r8MPh5xR2Y9r7tYNLu6_asBxAhJNK7wvLkFy-WzI0CGr2zoE1zqE/s1600/blog3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTXP8yDt6LJurpR5ilOBzDbpC26ExOyLl-cAi5T157aQ-q61IdTBEomS7_AiIVp6Q94W8yfhuO0XLHnELml5j991r8MPh5xR2Y9r7tYNLu6_asBxAhJNK7wvLkFy-WzI0CGr2zoE1zqE/s320/blog3.PNG" width="258" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Testing 1...2....3...is this thing on? Man, when you get out of the rhythm of regular blogging it is like everything is brand new again. Clearly though this is just like riding a bike right??? right??? Hello....hello.... I could tell you about excuses for not blogging but I have done that enough, I just havent, please keep that in mind as you read this post. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So today is the 8th anniversary of my Dads departure from this world.He is seen above with my youngest Dakota... I don't know if I was any better prepared for it than I was 7 years ago. I am actually doing pretty well, calving has been going great and all in all although life is not perfect things are pretty damn good here. Hardly a day goes by that I look at the news and the rest of the world and just shake my head and appreciate the life I have. In fact, just the other night after a long but good day I shared this thought on Twitter..</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uBXYSKdHmLY2EVioq8H62CuAXuZC9W8Bdf2ITMDHXV5JmO_aThZu_ft4MwQwDf1FthsqoA0KQFQmHiDq-K_JS_tx5Dw-TGWtXUWpAPjXngaLGo0i63N4x6kapfcO0dEQ7Ujtk6MG2BI/s1600/blog1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uBXYSKdHmLY2EVioq8H62CuAXuZC9W8Bdf2ITMDHXV5JmO_aThZu_ft4MwQwDf1FthsqoA0KQFQmHiDq-K_JS_tx5Dw-TGWtXUWpAPjXngaLGo0i63N4x6kapfcO0dEQ7Ujtk6MG2BI/s320/blog1.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> That being said I still wake up most mornings and it takes awhile for my mind to wrap around the fact that Dad is no longer here. Sometimes I still wake up with a dream or a joke from the night of slumber that I can't wait to share with him and then BAM..... I realize...nope that isn't going to happen. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">That certainly doesn't mean a day goes by that I cant feel him around me. Certain weather, the spring grass greenup, the slight whiff of a burning menthol cigarette, many things still happen that make me know that he is not gone....he just isn't here, or maybe he is and I along with other mortals just can't see him, or who knows what the fuck, but I damn sure know he is still around. So in the glory of a story, let's share the latest.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Back in the fall of 2007 before Dad passed in the spring of 2008 he bought some Holstein steers. His idea was to put cheap gains on these calves and then re-sell in the spring. I was NOT a proponent of his venture. I felt his feed resources were much more suited to bred cows or feeder cows but it wasnt a make or break deal and he wouldnt have let me change his mind anyway. So he bought him some Holstein steers and somehow ended up with 1 Holstein heifer in the bunch. Now in most instances a Holstein heifer would have good value but this was supposedly a "freemartin" heifer. For those who dont know...</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz79NaWdc8wJsP0DjrJRIRes03UnfiT7ig-gVlpWU_-76K82GYlCMxh2Q5Zu_X7r0_lNQFgmd7h6whg5uVP5VtRYBsl7B9aDmswvjkN2wj0K_IJ6Rc6Rm_9GRLy2GYcA1eKsu7NoY6G7E/s1600/blog2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz79NaWdc8wJsP0DjrJRIRes03UnfiT7ig-gVlpWU_-76K82GYlCMxh2Q5Zu_X7r0_lNQFgmd7h6whg5uVP5VtRYBsl7B9aDmswvjkN2wj0K_IJ6Rc6Rm_9GRLy2GYcA1eKsu7NoY6G7E/s320/blog2.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So no big deal, freemartin dairy heifers are often sold with the steers and are animals for beef so whatever.... </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So fast forward to March 24, 2008 a few days after Dads passing. So we have these cattle that are ready to market and part of them are those Holstein steers and that freemartin heifer. As she makes he way down the sorting alley I see just a little something that makes me wonder. I probably said something really scientific and politically correct like, "Is that silly bitch pregnant?"....So we put her in the chute, I think I found an OB sleeve and after a palpation I was kinda laughing my ass off because by damn this little Holstein "freemartin" was going to have a calf<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> which I hoped was able to shake it's head as hard as I was at that moment</span>. That first calf was a heifer calf and she is still in the herd as is 7514W the number assigned to this "freemartin". So now going on 8 years every spring #7514 aka "The Holstein" has brought us a calf. Her calves are usually pretty average but she does have 2 daughters and 1 grand daughter in the herd. One of her granddaughters just had her first calf this past week...</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaXXH3f_Ad0YWMeci5ybCVaYA921SImNb4mLw-miQpaKdZhyphenhyphenPHqfCv4rvzUyXRbz5Xv4YDibG4mcrofiuDWOzjiQ1VMwlM9Yib6RK94MyKeaefZkWUqRoHTvwESoNCGOi_SKZ7OjeCI0/s1600/4514.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaXXH3f_Ad0YWMeci5ybCVaYA921SImNb4mLw-miQpaKdZhyphenhyphenPHqfCv4rvzUyXRbz5Xv4YDibG4mcrofiuDWOzjiQ1VMwlM9Yib6RK94MyKeaefZkWUqRoHTvwESoNCGOi_SKZ7OjeCI0/s320/4514.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So this little "flyer" of a bovine purchase has actually did pretty well for herself. Even if come late fall she is one of the first cows to test the perimeter fence and spawn a phone call about a cow "Next to the road". <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lso</span></span> spent one night years ag<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o</span> harvesting the neighbors sweet corn <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in their garden. Luckily<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, the fact that I had helped them by hauling off a de<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ad steer of th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eirs they didnt make much of a fuss.</span></span></span></span> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The hardest part of Dad being gone is one moment I am angry at the world that he left us way too soon. (He was 60 and healthy) and in the next moment I feel guilty that I was able to be the son of and have the mentorship of such an amazing man.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> #7514 was with 4 black Angus bulls last summer and 1 Shorthorn bull. So there was a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in 5 chance that her calf would be solid black in color or maybe have a white sock or 2<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span> Many of her calves have been solid black which from a marketing standpoint is ideal. But today, on the anniversary of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dads</span> passing what did #7514 the little "freemartin" heifer that liked to breed bring to the table???? A little red and white clone of herself which because of her color and markings wont be a highly sought after calf next fall from a $ standpoint. I guess I will just keep her red and white spotted heifer as a replacement heifer and see what Dad and Mother Nature have in store for the future. </b></span></span></span><br />
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</b></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because that is just what we do....make the best decisions based on the circumstances and face the fact that although a solid black bull calf may have been the common choice for marketability, sometimes taking a chance on Mother Nature and embracing something a little unconventional is not always the worst thing to do from a profitability and fun standpoint. We love you Dad and we miss and feel you in our lives every single day, even if you like playing some jokes now and again! </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today's Cowman music selection is "The Dirt Road" by Sawyer Brown...."</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daddy worked hard for his dollar<br />
He said some folks don't-but that's ok<br />
They won't know which road to follow<br />
Because an easy street might lead you astray" </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for all you taught us and all the sacrifices you made so my family and myself can live the life we do! </span></span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-81859682287992919222015-10-22T09:36:00.000-07:002015-10-22T17:13:40.211-07:00The 11.5 inch Pissed Off Everyone Sub<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes I know I have people that have been waiting since January for me to finish the vegan series. Maybe slamming out this blog will inspire me to finish that up, but for now......lets start with this momma cow and baby in March....and the same pair today...isn't Mother Nature amazing??? I can already tell this is going to get long winded but just pretend it is 10 separate blog posts and we will both be happy! <br /> </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5aKCFBX60HxJ1PsSu2JZaFddrJmUY0aH_9DGPVlJg5F-s0AkggOkkrriokprF0h4tfR4IVv-FQJnAbwHf4A9qZDDnZKbJI25ZVDD4ZXz0CXWiPojs6m_dgXVIrfbWWU8U2UY5KPceNQ/s1600/3-16-15+017+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5aKCFBX60HxJ1PsSu2JZaFddrJmUY0aH_9DGPVlJg5F-s0AkggOkkrriokprF0h4tfR4IVv-FQJnAbwHf4A9qZDDnZKbJI25ZVDD4ZXz0CXWiPojs6m_dgXVIrfbWWU8U2UY5KPceNQ/s320/3-16-15+017+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ATtFvy5PklSNeISfaID8_sNZXN73unmY4OQBrh9ql3Vy90k7VyOJBaAr6UJzy5tfKnRid88tMtewI_uAixhZQ4XRxi7ROIOiumnJmRrmgOKbHNw6necFV2l1rMJLpTmsfPgzsoSlCy8/s1600/10-21-15+013+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ATtFvy5PklSNeISfaID8_sNZXN73unmY4OQBrh9ql3Vy90k7VyOJBaAr6UJzy5tfKnRid88tMtewI_uAixhZQ4XRxi7ROIOiumnJmRrmgOKbHNw6necFV2l1rMJLpTmsfPgzsoSlCy8/s320/10-21-15+013+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we go again, another big discussion related to Subway deciding to use meat from animals that have "never" had antibiotics beginning in 2016. As expected lots of quick and passionate reactions from all directions either cheering this decision or bemoaning it. Now I could give my slanted opinion on this and get the support and scorn of some sides or I can be honest and probably piss off people from every direction. Lets go ahead and piss everyone off in the interest of honesty, the world is sorely lacking in honesty. I am also approaching this purely from a beef producer standpoint. Your pork or poultry experience may be different, but I will say I consume both and don't blink an eye about them from a food safety or antibiotic view. Full disclosure here, I don't understand why anyone would go to Subway anyway when you can buy a loaf of bread and a head of lettuce and make your own comparable sandwich on your own dirty counter without subjecting yourself to poor customer service from a skateboarder in a hairnet but that's just me. Anyone pissed off yet? </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lets start by defending Subways decision.(Maybe lost a lot of the choir already) Not defending it on solely the merits of the decision but from a outsider looking in perspective. Lets remember Subway owns this business, well their shareholders do anyway. For what I suspect are lots of reasons, including some based in reality, some based on consumers stupidity and gullibility, some based on what some "expert" has told them etc. they have made this decision. I say GO Subway!! (more people pissed off) I really don't like anyone telling me how to do my business so I respect their decision to make their own business decisions. The beauty of capitalism is smart decisions are often rewarded, while poor decisions are often devastating but highly educational. Will this decision invigorate a brand that has really struggled of late eventually pay off? That is yet to be seen. Remember Subway came to prominence by the "Eat Fresh" idea and that the then fast food industry was dominated by those "evil" burger joints like McDonalds (Oh the humanity). Subway offered a "healthy" and "fresh" alternative. It also got a huge boost by Jared and his Subway "diet" and the marketing campaign that followed. Again, I am not against this but now we know "allegedly" that Jared's weight loss may have been partially attributed to chasing teenagers around playgrounds as much as eating sandwiches.(more people pissed off) Either way it was a brilliant marketing program that paid huge dividends and resulted in massive growth for Subway at the time. Lets face it, these days Subway needed a facelift, and this is the path they chose. Now let's relate that decision back to me as a beef producer at the cow/calf level.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not use antibiotics on this ranch, well let me qualify that, we don't use antibiotics unless an animal needs it. If an animal gets pinkeye, foot rot, a respiratory issue or something else that puts them in distress then we do. Do I use antibiotics because I want antibiotics in meat, or because I support antibiotic resistance, or because I don't want Subway or any business not serving my beef? NO! I do it because it is the RIGHT thing to do from both an animal welfare standpoint and honestly an economic standpoint. Yes, the last few years I have been paid a premium for "natural" cattle that have never had an antibiotic. That being said, SICK cattle don't pay the bills, no matter if they are "natural", "antibiotic free" "gluten free" "organic" "grassfed" "predator friendly" or otherwise! Do I catch every animal that needs treatment? Again NO! Does every one I treat recover and survive? NO! The reality is that 99% of cattle on this ranch never see an antibiotic, but when they need it, when I see they need it, then they are going to get it. This is not going to change no matter what fluffy marketing program ANY brand has or promotes. Doing the right thing is timeless. What happens in a range cattle operation when an animal gets sick and doesn't get antibiotics? Below is what happens. Now I doubt anyone that supports "never had antibiotics" supports this? Maybe I am wrong, humans are some weird creatures. By the way, the calf in the below picture is "everything free" if anyone is interested in purchasing, I'll make you one hell of a deal but I wont take a "with shrink" price. Number of people pissed off rising rapidly...... </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqNX21jQcpoSmvUrFiBdKeuBdRPAnKZ0LCjYADg8MiBMnoj46S6zMsMh_G1YqHtfYs0AGFoHDrbda3rXFsA6GC8LwqH9w7rIxxjUTf4WHBEIneONiSf1CAcP2Qqegzy09uRtSlpYxL6g/s1600/10-21-15+001+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqNX21jQcpoSmvUrFiBdKeuBdRPAnKZ0LCjYADg8MiBMnoj46S6zMsMh_G1YqHtfYs0AGFoHDrbda3rXFsA6GC8LwqH9w7rIxxjUTf4WHBEIneONiSf1CAcP2Qqegzy09uRtSlpYxL6g/s320/10-21-15+001+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we do use antibiotics we have label directions, rules of use and withdrawal times that we follow which means a consumer does not get beef that has ANY antibiotic level in it, in reality this is what you are getting from Subway (and everywhere else that serves beef) right now. In 2016 you wont be getting anything different other than a signature or a series of signatures. Your beef won't be any more "antibiotic free" than it is today. Now to explain this "only getting a signature" reality. Which of the calves below has received any antibiotics in their life? For those still reading that are not pissed off.</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9qAgiwKqtGdrwshKfdcNNdPwxbfB4dNLbt9uXOqMQWLjy14cOjtmgzm-8CqSj_TWhxLNglOlpC3OiVRPzZyEw6X73zyq0xs76EvQNr0rtB9D-y9HGspiZWzMRLUt71Z-D0nMQbD4ssI/s1600/10-21-15+012+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9qAgiwKqtGdrwshKfdcNNdPwxbfB4dNLbt9uXOqMQWLjy14cOjtmgzm-8CqSj_TWhxLNglOlpC3OiVRPzZyEw6X73zyq0xs76EvQNr0rtB9D-y9HGspiZWzMRLUt71Z-D0nMQbD4ssI/s320/10-21-15+012+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The one with the ear tag in the left ear in the first picture? The one with the ear tag in the right ear in the second picture? (Actually that is just the way we easily keep steers and heifers identified) Just the solid black ones? Just the ones with white on their faces? All of them? None of them? Yes, shockingly no matter what the media tells you NONE of them have EVER had any antibiotics! Will they receive antibiotics before they become beef? Possibly, but most likely not as any type of "mass" treatment but in rare INDIVIDUAL decisions based on oversight and symptoms of disease manifesting itself. When we do treat a calf with antibiotics we notch their ear tags as well as making a written and computerized note. These calves will not go into a "natural" or an "antibiotic free" system but when they do become beef they wont have ANY antibiotics in them just like their "natural" and "antibiotic free" brothers and sisters. You see, antibiotics have a withdrawal time in which they can no longer be detected. So how do you as a consumer know you are getting beef from calves that have "never had antibiotics"? You DON'T. (Pissed off quite a few right there) You are trusting that Subway, their beef suppliers, feedlots, stocker operators and the original producer (me) are honest and trustworthy and that our signature on a piece of paper has some honesty and integrity behind it. By the way 99.999999999999% will be honest because there is little to nothing to be gained by being dishonest. For me it is really SIMPLE, would I feed my OWN family what I am sending into consumer channels, the answer IS and has ALWAYS been 110% absolutely. No amount of marketing whether based in reality, fluff or fear mongering is going to change this reality. More people pissed off..... </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So lets break it down. Just like many things in life this announcement doesn't really mean much when the rubber hits the road. Cattle producers, stockers, feedlot owners and yes even packers I understand your frustration with fear based marketing and ease with which consumers fall for internet memes and misinformation. I am amazed how people will believe someone with a website and a brand name who has never raised a single bovine about how safe beef is instead of asking actual beef producers. It is no different than me giving advice to NASA and them believing it and taking that advice because I was an astronaut for Halloween in 1973. Just remember if everyone was really intelligent and hard working they could be successful cattle producers instead of easily pandered to consumers.There are also a multitude of outlets for beef that are only going to increase as the planet keeps breeding and living longer (weird I know given how "dangerous" the food system is) That being said, the reality is this announcement wont really change the way good operators are conducting business. I would never advocate not treating a sick animal, but at the same time, examining your practices, your vitamin and mineral program and vaccination protocols is something you should always be doing in my opinion. It not only can improve animal welfare but add to your bottom line as well. I also know the vast majority already do this or they would go broke. A few more people pissed off.... </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Consumers, the wholesomeness, quality and safety of your beef isn't going to really change. Hell, I have yet to see a Subway sandwich that has enough meat on it to make a difference one way or the other but what meat they do have is safe today, and will be safe tomorrow and in 2016. How about the veggies, are they "antibiotic" free? Oh you didn't know that some vegetables and even fruits have antibiotics applied to them??? Got FireBlight??? The reality is we have a food supply that is as safe and as cheap as anywhere in the world.That is a good thing! The sad part is it makes many people susceptible to misinformation. A full belly makes it easy to be a self righteous food snob. Yes, I know you saw that headline that said "3 kids sickened by E coli in beef" My question is why wasn't the headline "200 million kids ate beef today and nobody got sick?" It is because reality and honesty just doesn't sell in a market that thinks "reality TV" is reality. The honest reality here is MORE people will die or get injured this year driving or riding in a vehicle going to Subway (or any other food service business) than will ever die or get injured actually EATING any beef. We are a society that has enjoyed a safe and abundant food supply and becoming paranoid and stupid really makes zero logical sense. Ask someone who lived through the great depression or has suffered from hunger what kind of food they want and most likely they are not nearly as paranoid but are just happy with the many choices available. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was once traveling with an old cowman and we stopped to get some beer. When he handed me the cash I felt it was polite to ask him what kind of beer he liked.......He narrowed his eyes, stared at my whipper snapper beer snob ass and said..."Cold beer!!". I am sure I missed lots of points I was going to make in this post but I hope I hit lots of high points. As always I appreciate civil debate, comments and questions but I warn you it better be "bullshit" and "stupid" free. I am also heading down south for a friends bachelor party at the end of the week so although I may not respond rapidly any hopes of me "going dark" or "running away" is as dumb as eating lettuce sandwiches. Enjoy your food choices folks, we are very lucky to have them, even if you do get pissed off now and again! #EatBeef </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's Cowman music selection is Alan Jackson singing "You can always come home" Dedicated to my baby girl that is off at her first year of college. Also all pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them. </span></span></span></b><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-91247132345867150092015-01-15T21:36:00.000-08:002015-01-15T22:27:37.124-08:00Part 3; The Numbers, no vegans or animal rights activists deserve my time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So as I count down in reverse order the top 5 reasons I no longer engage animal rights activists and vegans we arrive at blog post number 3. For a review, number 5 was I support food choices and number 4 was the incessant anger. Numbers, when we think about it numbers are a very big part of our lives. Just in the course of a day there are so many numbers that I am focused on. What is the temperature outside?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> What is the price of diesel fuel at the Indian reservation store? </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLd9sZ-VhPzebNTTMmbdEKX3sPn3NRqr3hOboCmZrsxZSs__SCaZdm0szXqmz2SCYW8Pd0dDSDYj6HijS9m8cIzsGV1v86MYYapPWvH5YqCw_3q7s7gPxPvWgC3LjK51_tdssyT6msr8/s1600/1-15-15+005+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLd9sZ-VhPzebNTTMmbdEKX3sPn3NRqr3hOboCmZrsxZSs__SCaZdm0szXqmz2SCYW8Pd0dDSDYj6HijS9m8cIzsGV1v86MYYapPWvH5YqCw_3q7s7gPxPvWgC3LjK51_tdssyT6msr8/s1600/1-15-15+005+(Medium).JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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How many RPMS am I pulling up this hill,? Do those calves weigh 500 pounds or closer to 550? Where did I put the phone number of that really sexy barrel racer? Ok, that last one isn't true, but I do have the number of a 4 time married, Marlboro smoking, former 1982 rodeo queen (this part has not been confirmed) that wants to come help gather cattle sometime, and that isn't for nothin! The point is numbers MATTER and is exactly why crazed animal rights activists and vegans do NOT matter. Well wait I am already going to change that, SOME numbers matter. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Remember that numbers are only as good as the source that provides them and the context of those numbers. The ARA vegan community will proudly tell you that their numbers are increasing! Yes, wonderful, if they continue to increase at the current rate the whole world will be vegan in about 278.391 Billion years. Admittedly, I am using just 1 source here, but clearly the number of vegans is still very small. This is why they are so shrill and angry. They know that the only way anyone hears them is to scream very loud.They really are insignificant! There is a reason that there is a McDonalds and not a Veganonalds. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here is another number that matters. In the last 24 hours, one global revolution, the number of people needing to eat increased by 189,985 mouths. I am pretty confident many of those will choose to eat meat protein if given the chance. (This is a fun site by the way <a href="http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/">http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/</a> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVbhWhkXE9coUwYBRcWDjAzmfQuhV-5GbYezVT3aKZuPIeJ9aE1nD-pNYGlZQ3yAGXd8OA1KfVdeG3M1YWbKf9fELv9yriAHFMsMBjsPUkDCMG6aoDYxomtE7-Kex1dkmEoe1x2K9juY/s1600/numbers+blog+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVbhWhkXE9coUwYBRcWDjAzmfQuhV-5GbYezVT3aKZuPIeJ9aE1nD-pNYGlZQ3yAGXd8OA1KfVdeG3M1YWbKf9fELv9yriAHFMsMBjsPUkDCMG6aoDYxomtE7-Kex1dkmEoe1x2K9juY/s1600/numbers+blog+2.PNG" height="400" width="378" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let me put this in perspective from a cowman logic perspective. If Mike the meat eater has 2 flat tires and Vincent the vegan has 1 flat tire who will travel the most miles in a day? Well, at first glance you would think Vincent. However, when you discover Mike has 2 flats on 2 outside duals of his semi trailer tandem and Vincent has 1 flat on his unicycle things change. Not to mention the fact that Mike is at the tire shop and has purchased 2 new tires, while Vincent is still hoping to get enough donations to his GoFundMe account so he can buy a bag of free range, certified green raised, organic, GMO free quinoa, yet alone afford a new tire.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Detractors will point to the fact that individual meat consumption in the USA is declining. This is true, however would you rather have 100 people consuming 1 pound of your product, or 300 people consuming a half pound of your product? The fact is global meat consumption is increasing and likely will continue. Notice an animal rights activist will seldom mention that we are now producing far more meat protein with far fewer animals than in previous years? Most people love the taste, nutrition density, affordability and availability of animal protein. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I want to stress again if you want to engage these people it is your choice. Personally, I choose not to. I am much more focused on being available to answer questions about what I do, how I do it, and why I do some things a certain way from people that purchase my product. To close this post I sold a few calves today. In the course of them being sold, 4 different individuals placed bids on them. I confirmed that NONE (there is a number, zero, none, nil, nada, nothing) of the bidders were vegan animal rights activists hoping to buy them and let them live forever at a sanctuary. (Just in the interest of full disclosure these calves will be put out on grass until late summer and then put in a feedlot to be finished) I mean, with so many of these people you would think at least 1 of them would care enough to put their wallet where their non consumptive mouth is? Nope! Fluff and rhetoric are very low in nutrients. Remember folks all pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Today's cowman music selection is Ed Bruce singing "Last cowboys song" This was written in 1980. It is a wonderful song, but the cowboys I engaged with today would laugh thinking any cowboy (I use this as a wide ranging term as I myself prefer to be called a stockman or cattleman) is anywhere near the last one. Things change, methods change, but raising animals in a sustainable, holistic, responsible and caring way continues and will continue. Wrap your kale around that steak baby. We ain't going anywhere. </span></b></span></div>
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-45860157594698350312015-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:002015-01-13T12:48:09.105-08:00Why I dont engage vegans and animal rights activists Part 2 the anger <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anger, we all face it sometimes, sometimes it is our own anger, sometimes we see anger in others, but we all know it when we see it. I think most of us would agree that anger is a pretty ugly emotion, while also agreeing that sometimes it is a very valid response to certain issues or stimulus. Rational people would agree that if possible anger is a good emotion to try and limit or steer clear of. It is just the opposite in the animal rights activist world. Anger is celebrated and often is the primary emotion that defines their world and life. I want to give a little nod here to the vegan world vs the animal rights activists world, often two worlds that intersect. I have met some vegans that are not angry 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I have yet to meet an animal rights activist that doesn't have one of two life statuses at any given moment, pissed off or asleep.</span> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many reasons constant anger is not a good idea. Constant anger probably wont help your cause with the majority of the world. They will just see you as the bitter person you are. I mean when you make comments like the above as a response to a picture of a teenage girl with her first deer the only person that is probably going to want to be around you are those studying psychopathy. I mean who wouldn't want to have a chat with these two lovely individuals just to see if they couldn't learn some valuable nugget of enlightenment?</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Surely the vast majority of consumers will take what this person says as the truth and follow their lead in their food choices. </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another reason anger is so useless is because it often will keep you from making a rational and coherent argument no matter what side of an issue you are on. An example would be something like this.</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARA vegan; F*ck you killer!!</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rational person; Sorry ma'am what are you referring to?</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARA vegan; the picture of the cow you killed</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rational person; I didnt kill it, it died from sickness, and that's a horse ma'am</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARA vegan; F*ck you horse rapist! I am .000003% Native American and a horse is my spirit animal!</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rational person; That's nice, How many horses do you own?</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARA vegan; None, I never would own any animal.</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rational person; Who owns the 7 cats you are holding in your profile picture?</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARA vegan; F*ck you, you corpse munching scum, go get some mental help, you are a psychopath!!!!!! We are done here!</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alrighty then.</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often the ARA activists are angry with each other. </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> While this level of anger is their personal choice, it is certainly not the kind of people that I or most rational people want to be around. The vast majority find them vapid and of little value to be around. When these people understand this reality it just makes them more angry as they see that 99.9% of the world is laughing at them.</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think you get the picture. Why anyone would waste their time engaging someone with this level of anger is something I see no practical use for. As I said yesterday, you are free to engage if you wish, this is just the path I have chosen for myself. Enjoy your day folks, yes even you angry ARA activists. Maybe this will help you smile?</span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsYi-_4oSv9BToJdLexfWJrJD2hUcLt1xg9JvSGUiLSGifJKHkrvXhxjYOkTV40gvKO1RyIFeIYZHW36rtkoa1jNMQswkxX4THMJTsTDC1mBal2rT7loc3d5LmizFkjwyTBG14gk4df4/s1600/396327_4899022392659_2022452686_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsYi-_4oSv9BToJdLexfWJrJD2hUcLt1xg9JvSGUiLSGifJKHkrvXhxjYOkTV40gvKO1RyIFeIYZHW36rtkoa1jNMQswkxX4THMJTsTDC1mBal2rT7loc3d5LmizFkjwyTBG14gk4df4/s1600/396327_4899022392659_2022452686_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If that didn't help I don't know what will. That's funny right there I don't care who you are. </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Todays cowman music selection is from John Conlee. Lyrics like this make this an awesome song! </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"If you'll hand me my crayons<br />
I'll be glad to take your name<br />
In case I run across that guy you knew<br />
But I don't remember loving you"</span></span></b></span><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-dont-remember-loving-you-lyrics-john-conlee.html#ixzz3OjfyK5hw" style="color: #003399;">John Conlee - I Don't Remember Loving You Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a> </div>
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-39447341171141172022015-01-12T06:24:00.000-08:002015-01-12T06:24:46.688-08:005 reasons I dont engage vegans and animal rights activists any longer (A series) Part 1 Reason #5 Supporting food choices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Hello blog world. Hell of a blogging year I had in 2014 eh? 3 whopping posts! I suppose 1 blog post for every $1 a pound that 400 pound calves were worth is sufficient. $*$ChaaaaaChingggg$*$! Thank You beef consumers worldwide! If I get through this series I will already have more posts in 2015 than 2014.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b> So for those of you not involved in agriculture or on Twitter a little background. A young Canadian farmer and dairyman started a hashtag #farm365 in an effort to connect with consumers about how things work in the food growing world. A fairly regular and sometimes heated discussion continues on Twitter using this hashtag but the animal rights activists and vegans have jumped in with their usual drama. This is what inspired this blog series of why I don't engage with the animal rights or vegan activists. This is a reverse order of the reasons that I have chosen this path for myself. I am not suggesting this is the path for all people who produce food. To each their own, engage at your own chosen level, these are just my reasons for the path I have chosen.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>I sort of accidently stumbled into the world of vegans and animal rights activists and the deep drama that it entails when I was Washington Cattlemens President (much more on this in tomorrows post). I always knew this element was out there, I just didnt know how batshit crazy much of it was. I suppose since I am offering reasons why I don't engage them I should also point out a few advantages of being aware of this cult.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>1. They are highly amusing! I mean who knew that steers (a male bovine that has had his testicles removed) could have babies? Facebook names were removed to protect the innocent....er I mean the stupid and because they seldom use a real name anyway.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnNPl1G3T0OP1ELJSycGYYVKczDZjwB6IQcbq1uFpt7cQB7MUQC2s7UeJvM5_VPgLL_rXxcJnpydDxFL_zLLR6ancC6I8FbT2YiB5Y_3v3m9c_7CIsB7hQteT0X-4OyXdCg-KIVeSLxo/s1600/steers+with+babies.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnNPl1G3T0OP1ELJSycGYYVKczDZjwB6IQcbq1uFpt7cQB7MUQC2s7UeJvM5_VPgLL_rXxcJnpydDxFL_zLLR6ancC6I8FbT2YiB5Y_3v3m9c_7CIsB7hQteT0X-4OyXdCg-KIVeSLxo/s1600/steers+with+babies.PNG" height="53" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2. They are really gullible and will often post a meme or picture in which they have zero idea of what it represents and think it advances their drama. Like this newborn, healthy, normal calf that has just stood for the first time and is still covered in amniotic fluid. But, but it is sick from GMOs! Buhahaha Raise your Triple, Venti, GMO free, soy milk, no foam, Latte in protest </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S4Fa9cVDmnnf_bjq4S6SbtCCdfgXovG3klU0CdO7YjIoEAtiQ0ZUe6bLtoL29otNoYxpWAEF4eRdSyA6w6eduSsYz7C6D-G9lz5lY4ggoMuMAezirnj6ttVH49dc9OxDCl_sDzbxv4o/s1600/stupid.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S4Fa9cVDmnnf_bjq4S6SbtCCdfgXovG3klU0CdO7YjIoEAtiQ0ZUe6bLtoL29otNoYxpWAEF4eRdSyA6w6eduSsYz7C6D-G9lz5lY4ggoMuMAezirnj6ttVH49dc9OxDCl_sDzbxv4o/s1600/stupid.PNG" height="254" width="320" /></a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b> So, reason #5 why I dont engage them. I actually SUPPORT their individual food choice. Often I don't agree with their reasoning for their choice but it is THEIR choice. I think it is great that food is so plentiful in the first world that people have so many food choices. Many people will tell you the food system in the USA and much of the first world is broken. While I agree it isn't perfect it is very efficient, very inexpensive and the choices are wide and AMAZING. When a grocery store in a town the size of Othello, Washington USA population 7634 has a freezer 6 feet tall, 4 levels, and with a linear distance of 47 feet (conservatively estimated by cowboy boot strides) of NOTHING but frozen pizza choices it shows just how wide and diverse our food choices are. Hell, I will look next time, there may even be some vegan pizza choices in that freezer! Yes, maybe it isnt all 100% healthy but I think a few people in many parts of the world would just love to have a shot at trying to decide between a Red Baron, Tonys, DiGiorno, Tombstone, Jacks or Great Value pizza instead of the 2.69 beetles and a golf ball sized lump of rice they have eaten the last umpteen meals. Isn't a huge and cheap food supply a wonderful way to allow us all to have so many food choices? A full belly, in a food secure part of the world sure makes it convenient to be a food preacher full of fire and brimstone as well as allowing judgment of those that make a different food choice from your own! I could be wrong but I am pretty confident that PETA doesn't have a whole lot of Ethiopian addresses on their mailing list of supporters and donors.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>Now when I say I don't engage animal rights or vegan activists that doesn't mean I wont "accidentally" blow a few Copenhagen grains in their eye now and again for fun. (For those that don't know Copenhagen in the eye burns hotter than an animal rights activist half way through a tofu burger and learning "Tofu" was the name of the cow that provided the delicious burger)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Again, freedom and choice are such wonderful things!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Thank you all that made it this far. I appreciate all my readers, even vegans and animal rights activists. Remember all pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them. Now if you will excuse me, I probably have an inbox full of anger that I have to laugh at and not respond to. Heh! And probably a few reasonable people that have some questions about how, what and why I do what I do for a living and how they can exercise their food choices and enjoy safe, wholesome and nutritious beef for their families. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Todays cowman music selection is from the venerable Waylon Jennings singing "Working without a net"</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Well, unless of course you are a dolphin hunter in Taiji, Japan then a net is probably preferable. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>"Up on the high wire, I hear the crowd begin to call, some want you to fly, some want to see you fall" </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Freedom and choices folks! </b></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-58790234499046745112014-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:002014-10-27T09:11:30.572-07:00The greedy rancher strikes out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Hey there blog readers, yes its me, the guy who never comes here anymore. No excuses, I will try to do better but will likely fail. Tonight I want to address something I often hear when people try to tear down agriculture both crop and livestock production. I often hear we are "greedy" and everything we do is all about the almighty $. Admittedly many of the aspects of what I do involves considering what makes the most sense related to $ return. What many fail to understand is often the best return on the $ is also the best environmental, social, animal welfare and sustainability choice for this particular ranch. I can also confidently say that yes I need to make money in what I do but $ are not always the be all to end all when decisions are made on this ranch. I will also say we sometimes make mistakes in decision making, but we always try to learn from those and improve as we move forward. My Dad used to tell me if you ever figure it all out you might as well quit because it wont be fun anymore. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> I am going to tell you a story today about a cow named "Striker". My youngest daughter Dakota waxes poetically about how Striker got her name, "because of her face markings and because I was a doofus back then!" Back story is in December of 2006 I bought some "broken mouth" cow calf pairs. Broken mouth means a cow is getting on in years and some of her teeth are missing, in our country that means a cow is likely 10 years old or more. This was a group of 12 year old cows and had calves on them that had been born in October of that year. Striker was born in the fall of 2008 to one of these now 14 yearold cows. Striker was born with a bit of a twisted front leg, nothing bad but slightly noticeable. The twist in this leg became worse as she grew up and she eventually showed an issue in her back legs and hips as well. She had a terribly twisted limp but could get around on her own. What I loved about Striker was she was a fighter. She would get pushed away by other calves and more dominant cows but she never gave up her will to live and thrive. Because of this defect she had little to no value to sell so I just decided to let her grow up thinking maybe she could grow into beef for our own consumption. (Ok I can hear the animal rights activists already, calm your asses please.) Sometimes we do things for reasons like this song by Trace Atkins explains. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">So Striker grew up and when she should have been bred (pregnant) as a 2 year old she wasnt. In fact she was probably about only 60% of the size she should be. I decided that she would be given 6 more months to breed as honestly I couldnt face telling my wife or kids that she was going to become dinner. 6 months later didn't produce the results I had hoped. She had grown a bit, had made it through a tough winter but as far as my left arm could tell she was empty inside. In fact by my assessment she had very odd inside female parts and likely would never breed. A very tough decision to put her in the feedlot pen sometime soon to eat some grain for 90 days was made. After this feeding period she would be butchered. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">On about day 88 of this feeding regimen Dakota and I stopped at the corrals one evening after dark to feed. In the dark I could see somehow a small calf had gotten into the feedlot as it came running out of the barn. I was cursing until Striker also came out of the barn, ran to the calf, and the calf began nursing her. WTF? Striker had birthed a healthy and as far as we could see defect free baby! Oh how Dakota squealed! Oh how I questioned my ability to "preg check" cattle. (Admittedly I am no Veterinarian) So Striker raised her calf to weaning, and from a weaning vs. body weight standpoint did a whale of a job! </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now the reality of the story. Strikers same aged counterparts that are still here have each raised 4 calves at this point and are currently raising their 5th. Striker has only raised 2. Economically she has not been a shining star but that being said, she is very small, has little value with her defect, and lives in about a 5 acre area of the home pasture year round on little to nothing. Yes I admit she is consuming forage that could go to a more productive cow but to my original point it isnt all about the $ all the time! Friday I gathered all the cows and calves in the pasture to do some sorting and weaning. These were spring calving cows with big calves that are ready to be weaned. Striker was off in her normal secluded spot and with her severe limp I saw no need to bring her in. I did however check on her Friday afternoon. What I found led to taking Dakota and Christine out to the pasture Friday evening.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> With todays cattle market this little coupon will go a LONG way to understanding Mother Nature isn't always perfect, females of any species can steal your heart, and life has a way of paying off in many ways and sometimes you make some money! Welcome to the world little bull calf, if you have half the heart and drive of your momma you will be something to watch grow. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">As we continue this journey of life we will still be true to my grandparents, parents and my own goals. We will raise real world cattle to help feed the world,we will do our best to care for our land and our animals, we will work to make a profit to sustain our operation while teaching our children about Mother Nature while showing them a work ethic. We will also as my Dad used to so eloquently say, "Have some damn fun!" </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all that frequent this blog. In my constant search for outlaw country music with twang and lyric richness I bring you Dry County with "Waitin on Hank" All pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them! </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> "An were waitin on Hank to come on back, to lay a little senior boot to ass, and let the A and R man know he's takin this way too far. You don't pee with the puppies and crap in the big dogs yard!" </span></b><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-57102942401964544442014-05-22T07:21:00.000-07:002014-05-22T07:21:55.955-07:00Apology to the thief <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dear Thief or thieves,</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I want to take a little moment and apologize to you. I hope that the log chain you stole from me is useful to you and you will give it lots of wonderful adventures. I know it has many stories to tell as it came to me second hand from an old farmer that retired and he was gracious enough to not only tell me some of its history, he sold it at a discount to the price I would of had to pay if I had purchased it new. I was very thankful for this and apologize that you wont get to feel the same way since you got it for free. I don't know if you are the same person that has stolen several items over the last few years but if you are I sincerely hope that it fits in the tool box you stole and if it breaks you are able to use the oxy-acetylene torch you stole to fix it. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maybe the Sheriff is right since I haven't put up a fence or locked everything down. I don't know what I was thinking considering it was my property and everyone knows that in todays world if you don't put up a fence with security cameras you are practically asking to have things stolen. I apologize that I was raised that I should be able to leave an unlocked Mercedes convertible on the street of a major city with the keys in the ignition because if it isn't yours you would have no reason to steal it. I sure hope you didnt steal it out of spite. I apologize that last month when you tried to steal some gasoline from the tank labeled "Unleaded" you instead filled your tank with drain oil from several pickups and tractors. If your vehicle gave you fits I am so very sorry! I guess I really should have labeled the tank properly so in the middle of the night you didnt have to suffer any ill consequences of your actions.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> My mom used to explain to me that sometimes people do bad things because of their own lives. "Maybe they were a victim of a broken home" she often said to make an excuse for those that committed crimes. I certainly hope that if I did anything to make your own mother a whore and your own Daddy a f*cktard you will forgive me for doing so. It certainly wasn't intentional. With todays divorce rate I am sure it wont be long before people are stealing things because their same sex parents stayed together until death do they part. I mean not that there is anything wrong with that but I just want to make sure everyone needing an excuse is covered. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maybe you didnt steal my property because of your own life, but because of mine. Being a "wealthy" (in your eyes) and successful self employed rancher and landowner clearly I was given everything in my own life and have never worked hard or saved for something I needed or wanted. Because of this view I was deserving of anything that you happened to take from me. The cattle market is booming and on that fact alone I probably deserved losing something of value, I apologize that I didnt just offer it to you for free and that you had to sneak away with my property. Just this week I finished calving season. It turned out well and these calves will likely sell for more per pound than I ever dreamed they would be worth. Hopefully when the bills, taxes and other expenses are paid I will have enough to replace what you stole, if not I will just try again another year. I might think about replacing the chain by stealing one but I wont, I am weird like that in a non fucktard type of way. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> All those times I contributed time or money to several charity organizations I am sorry it was not enough in your eyes. I will really try and do better and contribute more to my community. If I ever run for public office I will use the slogan of "A log chain for every citizen" God knows a good new one will set you back $30-40. I hope the one you stole from me isn't defective, I only paid $10 for it and the fact that I did not leave some safety glasses close by for you to steal will keep me up at night wondering if you are safe!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To wrap this up I have just a few more apologies I think are warranted. I am sorry I never fell into the trap of meth abuse, it must be some really good shit and being that I like being happy it is a wonder it hasn't happened to me. Heck, if only I had you and I could steal things together and commiserate about how unfair the world is. I also want to apologize that each time something like this happens my heart gets a bit harder. I sure hope that was not your little girl selling Girl Scout cookies last week that I so easily walked by without a purchase because I felt I had given enough already, if it was I am so sorry. For some reason as I get older I am getting to be a bit of a bastard and I dont even come from a broken home. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lastly I want to apologize for being a bit of a hillbilly redneck. I own quite a few guns and very rarely do I not have one close at hand. If I happen to be checking cows at 3a.m. and come across you stealing something I apologize for the attitude and the fact that you probably will have a few more holes than a chunk of Swiss cheese. Of course it will only happen because you charged towards me and I felt threatened, after all you did have that chain in your hands and how was I to know you were not going to hit me with it? Sorry. I don't know officer, he has 6 holes in him, clearly it looks like a case of suicide to me. I am sorry that I have this attitude, it wasn't always like this.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Todays Cowman music selection is Blackberry Smoke singing "One Horse town" it is music like this that keeps me happy so I dont spend my days focused on the bad things that this world seems so full of.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> " </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the tiny town where I come from<br />
You grew up doing what your daddy does<br />
And you don't ask questions you do it just because<br />
You don't climb too high or dream too much<br />
With a whole lot of work and a little bit of luck<br />
You can wind up right back where your daddy was" </b></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-42471044919735898182014-04-13T12:33:00.000-07:002014-04-13T12:33:41.954-07:00Bundy ranch, Feds and the "Rule of law" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I just couldn't not put something down here related to the Bundy ranch issue in Nevada. I had all but given up on this blog for several reasons but maybe this is just the thing to spark me. Before I make a few points about this post please look at this map of Federal land ownership in the USA and tell me if something does not smell to high heaven in the Western USA?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. I don't know everything about this issue, I have learned a LOT about our Constitution, our nations history and some really interesting politics the last few days. Especially the enumerated powers of Congress in the Constitution.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2. This is my OPINION based on MY view and from the information and the facts I have gathered.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. This is not about Republicans or Democrats. If I were the Dad to these political parties I would knock their heads together, spank their asses and tell them as much as I love them they better get their shit together yesterday. Then I would knock their heads together again!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4. I am going to say a few things, I might even say a few "bad" words. You are just going to have to take it, or you can leave angry, or you can go f*ck yourself. Isn't freedom wonderful?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Just for troll control, the Bundy family, the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) nor anyone else paid for this blog. I am not here to defend either party in particular.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">6. There are many twists to this whole issue, I think this will be a discussion point for some time. I could never post one blog and expect to capture ALL the particulars in this case. I will say there are distinct and different "rights" effected here. Property rights but not just land ownership, but water rights and forage rights as SEPARATE rights in this as well. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So earlier this week the Federal government through the BLM moved into Nevada. Northeastern Clark county Nevada near the Utah/Arizona border. This is harsh desert country, just by the pictures of the cattle and terrain from this area I know a large part of the US cowherd could never make it in this rugged environment. I only own 1 cow that I think might make it in this harsh environment.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Cows are way tougher than folks imagine, but these girls are special to what a mother cow is. The issue is they claim a Mr Cliven Bundy has been ignoring court orders for years and not paying grazing fees. From what I gather he has not paid these fees since 1993. There is some contention of whether he owes these fees to the Federal Government or the State of Nevada and if he has paid the state of Nevada. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">His family has been grazing these lands since the 1870's but in about 1993 the Federal Government cut his grazing allotment from around 900 cows to 150 cows in response to the Endangered Species listing of the desert tortoise. Now my issue with the Endangered Species Act is for another blog at another time. I will say it is a law with great intentions but very little real or practical use and a terrible level of success. The number of species listed and then removed because of non threatened status is less than 1%. Only our f*cking Federal government would use a system since 1973 with a 1% success rate and NOT change it! These restrictions do not just apply to public property but PRIVATE property as well. Now back to the Bundy situation. Mind you this is on 600,000 plus acres so each cow in his original allotment had 600 acres to graze on. With his reduction this meant 1 cow for over 4000 acres! Just for perspective I run around 200 cows on 500 acres. Yes my ground is much more lush than the Nevada desert but still that is a massive dispersion of cattle given the acreage. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So the BLM with a private contractor and a contract worth close to a $1 million dollars started to confiscate (steal) Bundys cattle from these disputed lands. They gathered around 400 head over the last few days. They used helicopters and there are reports of over 130 head dying from heat stress but I admittedly cant confirm that at this time. The BLM did admit it killed at least 2 bulls because they were scared, weak chickenshits, er I mean for their safety. Sorry, but if you pay $1 million to some "professional" cowboys they better expect some rank bull gathering as part of the deal! Whatever the case at a time of record cattle and beef prices it is DISGUSTING that these animals were wasted. Especially given the fact we have many hungry people not only here but around the globe. The BLM ran into several issues as they found out they couldn't just send the branded cattle to Utah without a health certificate by a veterinarian and a brand slip signed by the owner which was Mr Bundy. The federal government seems to like to cite "the rule of law" but seem to want to ignore laws when it fits their purpose. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So over the last few days many people who saw this as a Federal government overreach headed to Nevada. On Friday video was taken of armed BLM agents throwing a unarmed 57 year old mother and cancer survivor to the ground. As more people arrived, many that were armed, the federal government faced a dilemma. How much force could the Federal government exert without the American people seeing it as an out of control government state of affairs. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So lets play devils advocate here. Lets say this is all about "enforcing the law" Could the US government be better invested in civil litigation to recover what they say are $1 million in grazing fees than spending over $3 million in deployment of Federal thugs and contractors to STEAL cattle they dont legally own? Lets look at that $1 million in grazing fees for a moment. I doubt the cows run on this land year round but again devils advocate. 900 cows X 12 months X $1.35 a month (Federal grazing fee set by the 'Law' so many quote) X 20 years = $291,600, not quite the $1 million the government and media portrays is it? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now lets add that this desert tortoise they say is "endangered" is the reason for this, it is so endangered that the Federal government is going to euthanize many of them? Sounds absurd right? Well not to the federal government. "</span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Federal funds for a Nevada-based desert tortoise conservation center are
running dry and wildlife officials plan to close the facility and
euthanize hundreds of tortoises that were once classified as
“endangered” and are currently considered “threatened.”<a href="http://rt.com/usa/desert-tortoises-euthanize-nevada-024/" target="_blank">Read about this here</a> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now to add one more twist to this saga lets look at what Nevada Senator Harry Reids son was working on as recently as 2013 for this land area. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The
son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Rory Reid, is the
primary representative for ENN Energy Group, a Chinese energy company
seeking to build a $5 billion solar panel plant on a 9,000-acre Clark
County desert plot in Laughlin, Nevada. <a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2014/04/breaking-harry-reids-son-representing-chinese-solar-panel-plant-in-5-billion-nevada-deal-2936658.html" target="_blank">Hmmmm, so odd</a></i></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wow, so this is an interesting little nugget here isn't it? </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">S<span style="color: #20124d;">o again I play the devils advocate. Is a country and government (The United States of America) that is $17 Trillon, yes $17 fucking TRILLION in debt doing the best it can by spending in excess of $3 Million to confiscate (steal) cattle that it does not legally own? Is the deployment of Federal agents (aka welfare thugs) the best strategy and idea in this case? </span></span></span></b></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Folks I love the USA. I think there is still a lot of opportunity in this country for those willing to make something of their lives. I like to salute the flag and think somehow we are a special country. I cannot however be convinced that our government is not super sized and out of control. Both major political parties are to blame here, as are the voters. Sure you can cite the "rule of law" but its funny that those on both sides of the political aisle are all for "law" until they are reminded Obamacare is the LAW or Citizens United is the LAW.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> Has Cliven Bundy made some mistakes? I would say yes, as a fellow rancher I know how hard headed we can be because we feel our contribution to a hungry world is important and none of us are perfect. I am glad his family have had their cattle returned to them and the BLM thugs have went home link.. <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/feds-abruptly-end-cattle-roundup-nevada" target="_blank">Cows return home </a></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Sadly while cattle prices are high Mr. Bundy will be forced out of business if he sells off his cattle as he will be if he is not allowed to use this land that produces little or NOTHING without his grazing and management. Yes we need some laws, I am just not sure why 20 million plus people are in this country "illegally" get little notice but a rancher converting solar energy into food gets the hammer. BTW I am pro immigration reform, it is a touchy subject with no perfect answers. </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">What I do know to be true, this country needs more COMMON sense, and LESS Federal government. I know if the BLM is a Federal agency "in charge of managing public land" they should not need K9 dogs or AR 15s to do that job. I know that "our" government spent way more in money and personnel on a cattle rancher in Nevada than they did in the Benghazi, Libya killing of Americans. I know that the Federal government "owns" FAR too much land in the west no matter how you interpret the "enclave clause" of the Enumerated powers. I know that US citizens excercising their 2nd amendment rights by carrying firearms are NOT terrorists. I end this with a Thomas Jefferson quote, </span></span></span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." Just make sure you are wearing your seatbelt in this country if you quote old Thomas. Need I remind anyone that George Washington, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Edward Snowden and the American Revolutionists were "Breaking the law" of their time. </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">So my Cowman music selection for this post is Chris Knight "Go on home" which sums up what I feel about not only this Bundy situation but often life in general which makes it hard to blog regularly. Lyric RICH! Respectful comments and discussion are encouraged, and as always, thank you for reading. </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"</span></span></span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;">dont go online i dont watch tv<br />
cause i know all im gonna see<br />
is something stupid goin on<br />
stupids in the water these days<br />
they're gonna drink it any way<br />
til they dont know right from wrong<br />
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yeah laugh if you want to<br />
call me a backwards fool<br />
but i aint takin this ride<br />
ya'll just go on ahead and go<br />
let me out by the side of the road<br />
all i wanna do is go on home </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-31209310709761921492013-12-31T18:16:00.000-08:002014-01-01T04:34:04.939-08:00Chances Are<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">So a little quick post to finish out 2013. Hopefully I can get in a groove and post here more in 2014. Back in 2010 one of my first blog posts was about how I met my bride. You can read that post <a href="http://thedailycowman.blogspot.com/2010/01/normal-0-microsoftinternetexplorer4_27.html" target="_blank">HERE </a></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Todays post is going to be about this incredible woman who has given so much of herself and totally changed the way I view life. Those of you that know me in real life probably already have some idea but those of you that only know me through social media may not know that I am not always an easy person to even like yet alone love. I tend to fight the status quo and I am sometimes just a little too honest in todays politically correct society. The upside is you wont ever really doubt just where I stand on an issue or given situation. Add in a little stubbornness, a whole lot of independence and the fact that I constantly have a few demons that my mind is fighting. She is going to heaven on an express pass simply for the fact that she has put up with my shit. I am not a "Southern Man" but this song by Whiskey Myers gives a little idea of that independence and middle finger attitude that comes along with me. "I can't change my ways but I know who I am, I guess thats somethin' you don't understand." Well she DOES understand and loves me just the same.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>She gave up a comfortable life in Texas to come be a ranchwife in Washington. She has given me 3 precious daughters that have added so much to my life and my happiness in this world. She has learned to be quite a cattle sorter and has mercilessly kept the amount of laundry I attempt at a very low level. Her and the children she has given me were not the only but the primary reason I was able to go on after losing my Dad. All of this and not to mention the fact she is smokin hot! </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So to my beautiful, loving, hot and caring wife, thank you so much for always being there and supporting my dreams of being a cattleman working with Mother Nature often at the expense of your own wants. Believing in me even when I don't. Curtis Grimes sings "The Cowboy Kind"</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lastly, it was 19 years ago tonight when I met this incredible angel and I love you so much and cant wait to share our next step in life when we become Grandparents later in 2014. One more song today that I think sums up just how low the chances were the night we met that we would be here today. "One foot on the narrow way and one foot on the ledge, sifting through the devils lies and what the good book says. If I'm going anywhere I'll probably go too far......" Garret Hedlund sings this incredible song "Chances Are". Thank you for helping us beat the odds and Happy Birthday darlin. I owe my life to you! Happy New Year all, and thanks for reading! </b></span></span></span></div>
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-91287246468297389972013-12-04T01:11:00.000-08:002013-12-04T02:10:58.915-08:00Cold is here, but in the meantime.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to get a little something up so that I get a semi- regular post here. We have turned cold, highs in the mid 20's and lows in the single digits. This isn't the end of the world it just means a little more management here on the ranch. I spent today making sure every vehicle had an antifreeze level acceptable to the cold temperatures and adding some Power Service brand diesel conditioner to anything that runs on diesel. My past days of trucking especially in Canada taught me what a great product this is. Diesel fuel will turn into something with the consistency of Jello if it gets too cold.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am lucky in that it looks like our cold weather is going to be accompanied by dry weather which is much preferable to snow. Cattle are much tougher than many people would expect. As long as they have enough feed and a open (non frozen) water supply. With some shelter from the wind, even natural protection like trees or an elevation change they are quite hardy and will survive and even prosper in conditions that would make a human miserable. This past weekend I got the 1st calf heifers out on corn stalks with the bred cows and now they are pretty much on cruise control until the first calves start coming in late February early March. That's the plan anyway. Here is 2221W a first calf heifer this year as newborn in February of 2012</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A young calf in May 2012 and as a pregnant 1st time expectant mother this past week. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the circle of life in Mother Nature that I work with hand and hand everyday and makes me absolutely love what I do and am amazed that I can actually make a living at doing it even though it isn't always perfect or always a really great living from a monetary standpoint. I would do what I do to the verge of starvation just to be able to see this glory everyday. So in my last post here I mentioned we got an early calf that wasn't planned. My daughter was upset that this new calf would not have any playmates owing to the fact that we were not planning on any calves until late February early March. I told her that if one cow had found a way to have an early interlude with a bull I doubted that she was alone and a few more calves would hit the ground early. I am not always right about everything but I know cows and I know how Mother Nature works. Now that first heifer calf has a male (bull) playmate out on the cornstalks.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sometimes it is just better to just laugh and appreciate the spontaneity of Mother Nature and count your blessings! As we prepare to face the week of low temperatures with dripping faucets and engine block heaters I want to share my Cowman music selection of today. Chris Knight sings "In the meantime" Love finding this obscure beautiful country music! Enjoy and as always remember all pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them and comments and questions are always welcome. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guitar twang and lyrics like "</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I wonder where my next dollar gonna come from<br />
Keep my head up and something falls out of the sky<br />
Daddy taught me how to use my bootstraps and carry on<br />
He said God will be good to you son if you try" Oh yeah!</span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-48235966975183582362013-11-25T22:35:00.000-08:002013-11-26T07:43:56.073-08:00Schedules, Planning and oh hell lets just roll <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCd6OyEhcIAviskCY8U3lTk3BcLhA8VRbuvHYbL3ar1mGfFyZ0bPoNxS1T-hu9DRQAQ3HSNwNkUESpe7ev0m1zyZZYry1zLuV4AdbvBrFuzf-GOxkV6-AEiZZdu58lHUwZ9pI_KijY7s/s1600/11-25-13+038+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCd6OyEhcIAviskCY8U3lTk3BcLhA8VRbuvHYbL3ar1mGfFyZ0bPoNxS1T-hu9DRQAQ3HSNwNkUESpe7ev0m1zyZZYry1zLuV4AdbvBrFuzf-GOxkV6-AEiZZdu58lHUwZ9pI_KijY7s/s320/11-25-13+038+(Medium).JPG" width="238" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How many of you go through your days following or trying to follow a particular plan or order? I commend you that do and have the patience for such folly and at the same time I am very grateful that I rarely do. My Dad used to say two of the best things about being a cattleman are: 1. You never run out of things to do. 2. You can do what you need to do in just about any damn order you please within reason because you will never finish everything anyway. I used to have some jobs that required a very ordered and structured day. I used to carry a dayplanner stuffed with itemized time schedules, lists, and lots of notes for future reference. Now on a good day I have 2 pages of scribbled crap on a yellow legal pad that likely has some coffee, Rockstar or spittoon juice dried on it and on a bad day I have illegible scratchings on a few C-store receipts, the back of my hand, and/or the dust on the dash of my pickup.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today was a good example of not having a particular plan and how things tend to work themselves out in the end. I am desperately behind on paperwork and office things. I had planned a quick check of cows this morning, then some paperwork time. Well my cow checking turned into a 2 hours of time pissing away just watching cows grazing corn stalks, looking at and digging in cow manure and trying to gain some insight and knowledge about how they think and why they do things the way they do.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> But you know what, I am ok with that because I think I did learn a few things in that 2 hours. When I did get back to my desk and the pile of paperwork I just couldn't resist logging on to see how the live cattle market was going by watching a few cattle auctions with internet feeds. Oops, another few hours of daylight during a time of short daylight hours burned away. </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <br />By this time it was time to get my afternoon chores completed and prepare some nice T Bones for the grill tonight. When I took a look at the cows grazing stalks again I got a little surprise from one of my cows. Apparently #7320W had ignored my plans for March/April calves and was able to find a little time with a bull last February and rebred about 18 days postpartum (rare but it can happen). While this isn't optimum a live and healthy calf born ahead of schedule wont cause me any lost sleep. My daughter Dakota is worried this calf won't have any playmates for awhile but if one cow did this I expect there will be a few more calves before the March/April rush. It just shows that you can plan all you like but when working with living things and Mother Nature sometimes she will tell you to go screw yourself. </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Things tend to work out. The flesh (stored fat) this cow is carrying, the fact that the corn stalks this year have lots of grain in them because of fall windstorms will assure that she will be able to provide for both herself and her new heifer calf just fine through the winter. One last thing about planning is I never really gave it much thought and certainly no planning but I found out this week that in June I am going to be a Grandpa. Congrats to my oldest Amanda and her husband Kenneth. </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This news did cause me to make plans for November of 2014 when a little cowboy or cowgirl will get a chance to dig through cowpies with their grandpa to make sure the cows are getting enough corn in their grazing diet! </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today's Cowman YouTube music selection from Justin Moore is a tribute to both of my Grandfathers that both were great men and taught me so much about life. I plan on being as good at that job as you both were. Lets hope that plan comes together. All pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them and as always thanks for reading and any questions or comments about what I do for a living are always welcomed. </b></span></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-51897887589137071472013-11-07T08:31:00.001-08:002013-11-07T08:31:52.059-08:00CMA awards and my personal Country Music take<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">If you dont follow me on Twitter or Facebook you may have wondered if I fell off the earth being it has been a long time since I posted here. Just busy and honestly IMHO Facebook and Twitter are tough on a blog because instead of a drawn out post you can post quick fleeting thoughts. Things are slowing down and maybe I can get a few more regular posts up here. Tonights post is about country music and my views and is a bit drawn out.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Firstly, I am NOT a Taylor Swift fan. I dont dislike her personally but I dont enjoy her music. Is her music "country" or not is part of this discussion. Tonight as the CMA awards were presented my Twitter feed blew up with mostly negative comments about the state of today's country music. (Follow me on Twitter here <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyCowman" target="_blank">TheDailyCowman</a>) I was highly amused at many of the comments and often in agreement in that country music isnt what it used to be. The plastic cowboy hats and booty shorts sported by some of the artists make me laugh more than bother me. Much of the "mainstream" and "award winning" country music probably doesnt really fit the definition of country based on years past. At the same time I understand how the world works and what sells is what wins the awards. This is why I don't take anything away from artists like Miss Swift. Is she a rolling in the dirt, cow punchin' woman that could pull a breech calf or turn a barrel course in 17 seconds? I doubt it, but she is an artist and an entrepreneur and like it or not she has a huge following. I can respect her, her choices, and what audience she targets even if it isn't something I really embrace.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy "classic" country music and try and support artists that still strive for that sound. At the same time I would guess that my Grandfathers would have both thought something like this wasnt really "country" when they were my age, while to me this is a "classic". Go Waylon!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Myself I am grateful for the variety and the fact that even though much of today's country isn't quite "country" it has brought a whole new level of fans than it had when I was a teen. Should someone that sells millions of songs be given a CMA trophy isn't a argument I am going to waste time with. Do some really great modern artists not get enough airtime because they are not "mainstream" probably yes. I guess it is just like the cattle business. Many people have different markets and niches to fill and sometimes, maybe even often, the really great ones never receive the awards and accolades just because they are different from the mainstream. For the most part those that are doing something they love and making a living at it could careless how many CMA awards or purple ribbons they get in a lifetime.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I also liken this to the cattle business in that much of what works for me in the cattle business is the same as it was for my grandfathers but much of it is different. Should I expect everything from Jason Aldean to sound like George Jones while at the same time using technology and markets that are different for myself than they were for my grandfathers? I think there is some hypocrisy in that. You know what I really LOVE is when one of today's artists puts together something that makes you dance while at the same time giving some reverence to those that came before them. I think this song by Jessta James (many are saying who is that?) well take a listen. I think this is "country" as he sings a tribute and story song to Waylon Jennings! "There was and old cowboy beside me, and he was hunched over a Jack and Coke...." </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now that being said I still can very much appreciate those that sing something that is not only "country" but is also "old school" and while it is sad these artists wont likely get the awards they are at least more accessible now with the internet and related technology that didn't exist years ago. I sometimes wonder how many Rhett Akins recorded great songs like this back in George Jones days that never got the recognition they deserved because someone more popular like Blake Shelton recorded them later? BTW I love Rhett, Blake and Aaron Lewis who all recorded this song. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So in summary I "get" some peoples frustration with what sells these days especially considering so many more obscure artists are making great music that doesn't get played but remember variety is the spice of life and what we all enjoy isn't the same. At the same time I cant be angry that some artists will chase a certain "type" of song in an effort to sell more copies any more than I will accept a country music artist telling me what kind of cattle I should raise. To me country music isn't just a certain "sound". It is about life, lyrics, and passion. I am going to finish this post with another song by Jessta James that is a different kind of country entitled "If that ain't country". But that "twang", lyrics about living in the country and something that I crank up when it comes on the radio will always be appreciated even if it doesn't get the airplay or trophies I would give them. "Some of them dirt roads wind down the mountain and roll out over the plains...."</span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-4574132943708686082013-06-16T00:22:00.000-07:002013-06-16T00:22:10.743-07:00Fathers Day letter to my Dad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Today's post is going to be a little different from what I usually post. Being Fathers Day I am going to write a little letter to my Dad. I know for some of you, hell possibly many of you this post may seem a little morbid but for me it is therapeutic. I will also share a few pictures from this spring and summer that I wish Dad could have been here in person to see. Here we go...... </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It has been so damn long since I have been here I am not sure I will even be able to get something posted. I was on a good run there in March and then BAM, life and my sometimes wavering balance jumped up and bit me. I really thought getting past the 5th anniversary of your passing I was in good shape but I guessed I fooled myself once again. Was it easier than the previous years sure, but still as exciting as springtime is there will always be somewhat of a tempered optimism because of losing you that March day. So here we are at Fathers day and once again my mind is heavy with your physical absence but thinking about you brought me back to sharing some thoughts with the world unfiltered. I sometimes laugh because I just wonder how you would have taken my blogging, tweeting and Facebooking about life. Especially knowing that anyone with an internet connection could see these thoughts. So here I go again despite knowing that your words of "sometimes you gotta just toughen up son" don't square with the fact that I was tougher when you were here in a physical sense.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You and I often used to test each other just as much as we both enjoyed testing the foundations of other humans that we had contact with. I still do that in my own way but I sure don't enjoy it as much as I did when you were here to see it happen. I know I sure miss watching you being you. Nobody did aw shucks, don't get all tightened up about a little nothing like you did. I want you to know that I am getting better at recognizing when you show yourself through someone else that still walks this earth. Last week at Bobs corner when I first saw that guy leaning against his pickup smoking a cigarette I did not approach him because he reminded me of you. I approached him because I saw him buy that pack of Kools and I knew that if I talked to him I would get a second hand olfactory memory of so many of our conversations we shared over the years. Honestly I really didn't pay much attention to what he said but when he mentioned being in the witness protection program I did not doubt him nearly as much as I felt it was you just seeing if I was paying attention. I appreciated the laugh and the smell of that smoke.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago at our branding I really felt you around that day. Pretty smooth day wasn't it and I damn well know you noticed I didn't miss a single cow through the chute that day. I bet you never thought I would learn that you run a chute based on where a cow is GOING to be, not where she currently is. I remember that first time you showed me that idea working those yearlings that cold fall day so many years ago when I could barely reach the handles. In preparation for branding day we cleaned the working shed floor down to bare concrete and you could see where I wrote "Olberding Farms Feb. 20th 1984" when we poured that slab. I also could see where little sister made her big "87" for her graduating class that made me so mad and gave you such a big laugh the day it happened! I remember our exchange that day when I was mad she wrote so big and at an angle after I had so carefully written my inscription. You asked me who told her she could write something and I said it was me. You said that is a good lesson for you son, never try and guess how a female of any species will do anything, just accept it for what it is move on. At the time not knowing I would be a husband and a father of 3 girls I didn't appreciate that wisdom but I sure do now.Thanks for that.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So in the morning I will be up early and I will sit with you and we will watch the sun rise together. I know it does not happen often because you rarely missed being up before the sun while I on the other hand rarely go to bed before 1 a.m. but as time goes on I see more of our similarities than our differences. I was watching a Sopranos episode a few nights ago and it reminded me of one of those moments when we both knew at a base level how similar we are. Remember the night that I test drove that 1971 Camaro in Moses Lake that I wanted to buy so badly and you said it was not a good idea. We were both so mad at each other that night but when the Kinks came on the radio to sing this song we both reached for the volume button at the same time to crank it up! Maybe that is the biggest gift you gave me of all, not being like everybody else. It is memories like that one that cause me to both laugh and be sad at the same time.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Well Dad i sure miss you but I appreciate all you did for me, all you taught me, and most of all for still showing up almost daily in some aspect of life. I have quit trying to predict when it will happen but this great country song by David Ball sums it up. Happy Fathers day Dad.</span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-63115177491715672032013-03-19T01:34:00.000-07:002013-03-19T07:32:11.900-07:00Celebrating National Ag Day I am #agproud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX8Z9_HILgAhTSvht17sZ0iN8KWL9UCyNYWRSjf8bu7SOBUCGrGGv3wvj1ZuzLzcEgyTjYesz11HRc2261-yKyDkwRVRr5iz8YZKCMgbAcSAeMgPjKXxAYNhvWwSTKyW7i-Y9xIBFU6g/s1600/3-17-13+008+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX8Z9_HILgAhTSvht17sZ0iN8KWL9UCyNYWRSjf8bu7SOBUCGrGGv3wvj1ZuzLzcEgyTjYesz11HRc2261-yKyDkwRVRr5iz8YZKCMgbAcSAeMgPjKXxAYNhvWwSTKyW7i-Y9xIBFU6g/s320/3-17-13+008+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Today is National A<span style="font-size: large;">g Day and <span style="font-size: large;">to start this off I want to tha<span style="font-size: large;">nk all of my readers both ag <span style="font-size: large;">employed and otherwise from every corner of the globe.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s a great person once said, "<span style="font-size: large;">If you <span style="font-size: large;">EAT, you are connected to <span style="font-size: large;">agriculture</span>!" A<span style="font-size: large;">s I share today's <span style="font-size: large;">post I will also <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">intersperse some pictures that relate to what make me #agproud. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I also must mention two specific people. A young man, a great agvocate and an all around nice guy named Ryan Goodman who runs an incredible blog</span> </span></span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1585743289"> <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></a></span></span></span></b><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://agricultureproud.com/" target="_blank">Agriculture Proud</a></span></span></b></span> <span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">where this passionate and hard working young man<span style="font-size: large;"> works tirelessly to share <span style="font-size: large;">agriculture's</span> story. He and his efforts inspired me as well as another great agvocate and<span style="font-size: large;"> also wonderfully cheerful and funny lady</span> named Janice Person <span style="font-size: large;">who also blogs at <a href="http://janiceperson.com/" target="_blank">A Colorful Adventure</a></span></span></span></span></b></span> <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>asked fellow ag bloggers to share why we are #Agpr<span style="font-size: large;">oud on National Ag Day.<span style="font-size: large;"> It was through my efforts to share my story and <span style="font-size: large;">jump into social media that I found these two great people and I was able to meet them both last year in Nashville at NCBA<span style="font-size: large;">'s Cattle Industry Convention. Thank you Ryan and Janice for doing this, for being great agvocates and for becoming friends. I am like a first year grid kids player<span style="font-size: large;"> to a NFL all star compared to these two when it comes to social media and agvocating so this opportunity means a lot to me<span style="font-size: large;">. Thank you so much! </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So let's talk about what makes me #agproud. There are so many things but I think <span style="font-size: large;">at a base level what makes me most p<span style="font-size: large;">roud is the people involved in agriculture.<span style="font-size: large;"> My Dad used to tell me this over and over that the best part of agriculture was the people. I don't think I ever fully appreciated this until just a little over 5 years ago. As I steeled my emotional composure for his services at his celebration of life I took a look at the overfilled parking lot outside of the church. Seeing the plethora of pickups of all makes and models with some sporting spring mud and a few flatbeds with bales of hay was certainly a "I told you so" moment for me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Everyone from<span style="font-size: large;"> those <span style="font-size: large;">in</span> production ag to those that help make it go by driving trucks, selling <span style="font-size: large;">seed, <span style="font-size: large;">or <span style="font-size: large;">in<span style="font-size: large;">stalling a GPS navigation system on a tractor</span></span></span> or picking crops. <span style="font-size: large;">M</span>y <span style="font-size: large;">Dad had a firm belief that most of these people were great people and I would concur. We will use the term #agproud and the letters to compose this word to define why these are such great people and why I am <span style="font-size: large;">#agproud.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Agproud "A" Appreciative; people in ag are thankful to be able to do what they do for a living. They understand that life is not always perfect<span style="font-size: large;"> but the chance to be connected to such a basic thing as raising food for people is a noble <span style="font-size: large;">endeavor<span style="font-size: large;">. They appreciate the chance to share Mother Natures beauty as well as her tribulations in what they do every day. They appreciate the opportunity to teac<span style="font-size: large;">h their children and grandchildren a work ethic and <span style="font-size: large;">the joys of life and the realities of eventual death for all living things.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">aGproud "G" Generous; generous with their time<span style="font-size: large;">,money and talents</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><b>.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #20124d;">Time by coaching kids sports teams, volunteering to lead events like county fairs and participating on school boards etc. Money by supporting 4H and FFA kids at their market stock sales, scholarship drives as well as supporting things like disaster relief for those in need. Generous with their talents by helping a sick neighbor in need to plant a crop or calve out their cows. I have witnessed this so many times at such a common level but it never fails to amaze me how generous they are even when sometimes it isn't the best choice to their own operations or circumstances from a monetary standpoint.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">agProud "P" Passionate; No matter where I travel, no matter what segment of the ag industry <span style="font-size: large;">the<span style="font-size: large;">se people</span> are <span style="font-size: large;">connected to,</span> the<span style="font-size: large;">y</span> live and breathe what they do everyday.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">They</span> do it with a passion and vigor that is hard to find industry wide in any other calling.I have yet to meet someone involved with agriculture that lacks a pass<span style="font-size: large;">ion in their life<span style="font-size: large;"> for what they do.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">agpRou<span style="font-size: large;">d "R" Respectful; <span style="font-size: large;">I have yet to attend an ag related event where I wondered why a young<span style="font-size: large;">er person</span> did not hold the door open for an elder. People in ag <span style="font-size: large;">do the little things like say "please<span style="font-size: large;">" and "thank you" and they mean it. They also carry a great respect for the <span style="font-size: large;">land, their animals and for those who came before them in this <span style="font-size: large;">ever evolving industry.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-MGanRgGNJY" width="420"></iframe> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">agprOud "O" Observant and Optimistic; People in ag have to be observant and they are good at it. They have to <span style="font-size: large;">"see" that a particular calf mi<span style="font-size: large;">ght have a feve<span style="font-size: large;">r or a particular crop is lacking an individual nutrient and then make management decisions to remedy those situations. They also<span style="font-size: large;"> must <span style="font-size: large;">observe things like weather and market trends and constantly do a delicate dance with that information. They know by the return of certain species that spring has arrived and by the color of a crop that it is ready to harvest<span style="font-size: large;">. Optimistic in even when markets are not good or weather not perfect that in the long run it will work itself out. <span style="font-size: large;">Optimistic</span> that in every mistake there is a life lesson, in every disaster an opportunity <span style="font-size: large;">in the future.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">agproUd "U" Unique; I firmly believe that people in ag will often fool those who try to stereotype them or their individual personalities. That lady brand inspector might be the most gifted and artistic leather worker and that broken down bowlegged pen rider might play the piano like Beethoven. That dairyman may have spent his younger years working on Transatlantic ships and have some great stories to share. When you open the door to a combine and hear Adele singing "Rolling in the Deep" or see someone that usually wears Wranglers and spurs in a suit testifying before a Senate hearing you should not be surprised.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">agprouD "D" Dedicated; This trait is <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">practically a</span> </span>necessity in the agriculture industry. There are so many other places where people with the intelligence and skills needed in ag that pay more, offer more time off<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> more certain hours and less uncertainty about the future than ag. It takes a special person that is de<span style="font-size: large;">dicated to their passion to get into and stay in agricul<span style="font-size: large;">ture.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I salute you fellow agriculturalists. I am very #agproud to be part of a group of so many people that are appreciative, generous, passionate, respectful, observant<span style="font-size: large;">, optimistic, unique and dedicated. If you think agriculture is not important or part of your life you might one day be hungry and this Vern Gosdin song captures what you will be feeling. "Do you believe me now?"</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-33684920027141155522013-03-15T01:14:00.000-07:002013-03-15T01:18:06.795-07:00Profitability can be "ugly"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Today was a pretty great day when looked at from a total perspective. I did have one moment this morning that gave me a bit of attitude anger but overall it was a pretty great day. <span style="font-size: large;">I needed to clean out <span style="font-size: large;">Griselda</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">sort the tools, fencing supplies<span style="font-size: large;">, empty beer containers, garbage and matted up ha<span style="font-size: large;">y remnants. This went pretty well as I tossed the fence supplies and hay remnants on the ground and put the tools into a<span style="font-size: large;">n empty protein tub. The mistake I made was leaving the cleanup area since Griselda is without a tailgate. Whoops!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The highlight of the day and the subject of tonight's blog post </span>was the <span style="font-size: large;">first calving of a specific heifer #1902. This heifer is a good enough heifer but because her mother is a cow that is bigger than I really want to own from an <span style="font-size: large;">efficiency</span> standpoint she was right on the cutoff line of being a replacement heifer or being sold as a feeder heifer. Here is 1902's mother 4902 with her calf in 2012<span style="font-size: large;">. As a reference 2902 is still here as a replacement based on her deep body and what I see as future profitability.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTl5_l_GP4swa5h8ow1euAYdeBqE-v5upkJizxfDGT7CAnlCSUsIc7EZ7kIMdIPC3PDfL138lK4Oe2dkWeyF8_g4neXVGda_lHdScfPbKB1cG1YVom6TaOXJdRLdRbchlYpQMDeCLvs/s1600/2-7-12+064+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rTl5_l_GP4swa5h8ow1euAYdeBqE-v5upkJizxfDGT7CAnlCSUsIc7EZ7kIMdIPC3PDfL138lK4Oe2dkWeyF8_g4neXVGda_lHdScfPbKB1cG1YVom6TaOXJdRLdRbchlYpQMDeCLvs/s320/2-7-12+064+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The problem was as a young calf <span style="font-size: large;">1902</span> developed an ab<span style="font-size: large;">scess on her face. My assumption at the time was that she had some kind of "sticker" that had lodged in her skin and with the quick puncture o<span style="font-size: large;">f</span> a sharp scalpel one day I was proven correct. Fetid pus and liquid spewed forth and in total amazement I caught <span style="font-size: large;">the offend<span style="font-size: large;">ing sticker in my hand. I was happy with this because I knew it gave her some swelling relief and also because I hoped her lump would shrink and she would no longer be stricken with this fe<span style="font-size: large;">ature that did not adversely <span style="font-size: large;">hurt</span> her <span style="font-size: large;">other than from an <span style="font-size: large;">aesthetics standpoin<span style="font-size: large;">t<span style="font-size: large;"> and her marketability.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">One thing I have learned in the cattle business and something my Dad and I agreed on and spen<span style="font-size: large;">t many hours discussing and debating. Just about every <span style="font-size: large;">bovine, especially <span style="font-size: large;">females bovines have at least one "win<span style="font-size: large;">" and one "wreck" in her at some point of her lifetime. For the rest of this discussion win means profit and wreck means loss from my perspective.Others have a different view as to w<span style="font-size: large;">hat winners and wrecks are.</span> Like many things in the cattle business there are few absolutes but many generalities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I look at these wins and wrecks all the time when making marketing decisions. They are much like "turnovers" in a sporting event in that sometimes the<span style="font-size: large;">y are the difference between winning and losing. I will readil<span style="font-size: large;">y admit that sometimes these gambles or games do not always come out in my favor. I have at times tried finding a win in discount cattle and failed miserably but each time I learned and kept that for future reference. The key is finding more wins than wrecks.</span></span> I won't give you a long math lesson here but the reality is that because of <span style="font-size: large;">her</span> superficial facial defect 1902 would have likel<span style="font-size: large;">y</span> been severely discounted as a feeder heifer <span style="font-size: large;">calf going</span> into a feedlot and becom<span style="font-size: large;">ing</span> beef at around 18-24 months of age. <span style="font-size: large;">I am not saying this is wrong because if a feedlot buys a <span style="font-size: large;">calf with a lump on her face and it turns out <span style="font-size: large;">this blemish hurts her ability to eat and grow they would be looking at a potential wreck or loss for themselves. For me as a primarily cow calf guy and knowing this would likely not hurt her ability to be a calf raiser I decided to make her a cow by breeding her<span style="font-size: large;"> and adding her to the herd<span style="font-size: large;">. That being said I doubtfully would buy a heifer calf to breed with a lump on her face unless she was <span style="font-size: large;">deeply discounted in price because of the same concerns as a <span style="font-size: large;">feeder.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> </b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So last s<span style="font-size: large;">pring and summer 1902 spent her time grazing<span style="font-size: large;"> and growing with the company of a bull. Sometime in early June of last year 1902 became impregnated. Today 1902 did just what I had hoped and produced her first of hopefully many offspring over the next <span style="font-size: large;">few years. Yes, she still has her facial blemish but she <span style="font-size: large;">also has a beautiful udder just like her momma and <span style="font-size: large;">should raise a quality and profitable calf. She also calved unassisted in a 350 acre pasture, cleaned off her calf, go<span style="font-size: large;">t her calf up and provided her with the all important first milking (colostrum) with zero human <span style="font-size: large;">assistance (or as i say interference)</span></span> Here she is with all her ugliness and beauty with her first child. Welcome to the world 3902<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgaQJKR4qbPqIwsmXMRpEPZa39eDHvQW-1MGOJLwxednsoIo76FCG7L-vsnM2wJyxyNc-BbwuOfttGgwouk3qBfOz-0KUQuW6eyFvtYDIOi6ML_HwlI4vN6eD-MoLJe93Kk35ZEUVKis/s1600/3-14-13+004+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgaQJKR4qbPqIwsmXMRpEPZa39eDHvQW-1MGOJLwxednsoIo76FCG7L-vsnM2wJyxyNc-BbwuOfttGgwouk3qBfOz-0KUQuW6eyFvtYDIOi6ML_HwlI4vN6eD-MoLJe93Kk35ZEUVKis/s320/3-14-13+004+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Certainly at some point her calf production life will come to an end and she will be sold as a "cull" cow based on age, a lack of pregnancy or potentially other issues. When that ti<span style="font-size: large;">me comes she will probably still suffer some type of discount because of her facial feature but it will not <span style="font-size: large;">b</span>e near as severe given the fact that she will <span style="font-size: large;">go directly into the beef complex at that ti<span style="font-size: large;">me.</span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><br /></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two</span> conversations <span style="font-size: large;">in recent memory</span> related to this, one on Facebook and <span style="font-size: large;">the </span>other in person. In the Facebook conversation a young man in the cattle business asked me, "What kind of cows do you run?" My answer was, "I run cows that I thin<span style="font-size: large;">k will make mo<span style="font-size: large;">ney<span style="font-size: large;">. I don<span style="font-size: large;">'</span>t get too hung up on <span style="font-size: large;">color <span style="font-size: large;">and /or breed. I like little efficient cows that raise profitable calves."<span style="font-size: large;"> The other in person conversation was with a couple that raise purebred cattle of a breed I wont mention<span style="font-size: large;"> because their selected breed is not the problem in my opinion<span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-size: large;">"<span style="font-size: large;">We look at b<span style="font-size: large;">ull</span> calves with a less than a<span style="font-size: large;"> 85 pound <span style="font-size: large;">birth weight</span> as throwaway calves because you just cannot make any money on those kind of calves<span style="font-size: large;"> because they wont grow!" They also added this gem, "<span style="font-size: large;">For us having cows that "look"</span> like winners <span style="font-size: large;">is</span> more important than anything!" I just politely listened<span style="font-size: large;">, no<span style="font-size: large;">dded and made a mental not<span style="font-size: large;">e to not ever buy their bulls. To each their own and I do not give unsolicited advice to anyone in the cattle business because freedom is what built this country. <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ut here is a classic country Bobby Bare song that c<span style="font-size: large;">aptures <span style="font-size: large;">the sentiment of being a perceived "winner"<span style="font-size: large;"> in my humble opinion. Or in other words, "sometimes ugliness can be very profitable". <span style="font-size: large;">You just keep <span style="font-size: large;">on keeping cows that look like</span> winners and I will just focus on making a profit for a living. All pics can be viewed in full size by clicking on them<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So as we plod along through this life especially the cattle business you are welcome to laugh at my small or ugly cows. You see, my ugly little cows take it real personal when you laugh at them. Make sure that everything you own looks like a "winner", my mistake 4 coffins.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> </b></div>
Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-3417160972889858992013-03-11T00:44:00.000-07:002013-03-11T00:52:52.656-07:00Blog school and Chicken lights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So the past few days I have been studying in "Blog school". Well <span style="font-size: large;">technically it is a Facebook group called "<span style="font-size: large;">Blog overhaul" led by a gre<span style="font-size: large;">at agvocate, blogger and all around nice lady named Judi Graff. Che<span style="font-size: large;">ck out Judi's <span style="font-size: large;">site and blog at <a href="http://www.grafflandandlivestock.com/">http://www.grafflandandlivestock.com/ </a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I met Judi and her husband Bill<span style="font-size: large;"> "in real life" (IR<span style="font-size: large;">L) at NCBA's annual convention in Nashville in 201<span style="font-size: large;">2 after following her <span style="font-size: large;">blog and Twitter account. I was invited to this group but was hesitant about joining<span style="font-size: large;"> for several reasons. In my first post on the site I thanked her for the invite but hoped that I would not be the dunce student of the class. Everyone else in the class already had better blogs in my opinion then I could ever dream of having. Content is not a problem for me, dealing with technical issues<span style="font-size: large;">, updates and getting things to look how I want them <span style="font-size: large;">to<span style="font-size: large;"> look</span> constantly test my patience level.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up I did pretty well in school, not spectacular but other than some a<span style="font-size: large;">lgebra</span> math I was a mostly B student and a sometimes A student. Part of my problem was I could cruise and get a B or give some extra effort and concen<span style="font-size: large;">tration and get an A<span style="font-size: large;">. Now you know why I got mostly B's and just squeaked by on GPA to be allowed to wear a coveted "honor cord" at graduation. One other issue for me that I still <span style="font-size: large;">fight with today is patience. For instance just today on my way to Dakotas volleyball tournament I was third in line at a red light. I have never comprehended why everyone is not like me and famous drag racer <span style="font-size: large;">Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and constantly trying to understand why everyone does not have a 0.0<span style="font-size: large;">84</span> reaction time. You can practice here <a href="http://www.quikclikrt.com/">http://www.quikclikrt.com/</a> so you don't piss me off next time you are ahead of me at a traffic light. Green means go damn<span style="font-size: large;"> it and those clutch plates can take a little slippage!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So back to blog school. My blog DID need an overhaul no doubt. My comments were not working despite literally hours of actually some pretty good effort on my part to fix them. My blog was certainly a bit bland and I decided to give blog overh<span style="font-size: large;">aul a try. Things did not start off well for me. I would try something new, not like it and then struggle to at least get back to where I was in the beginning. I could not just cruise and get a B I was going to have to give some effort and take a pass/fail. I have been close to quitting the whole blogging thing more than a few times and I was getting close once again. </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well teacher Judi stepped in, offered to help me out and <span style="font-size: large;">4</span> great things have happened. <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ecause of her attention to the guy (me) that felt like I was a 23 year old senior that was still hanging around thinking maybe <span style="font-size: large;">that the more years I was here the better the chance of</span> <span style="font-size: large;">being</span> elected class President in High School.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> On the main page you will see some new tabs for new pages.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. I now have an "about" tab that will be evolving but sums up what I want to offer to readers and who I am.</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. There is now a "contact" page where you can get all the info<span style="font-size: large;">rmation needed to engage with me about the blog as well as Twitter and Youtube<span style="font-size: large;">. You can also now easily subscribe by email with the little "follow" widget in the right hand sidebar of the blog.</span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Judi got my comments section fixed! Now anyone including my old cowboy friends can respond to individu<span style="font-size: large;">al blog postings.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. I have some renewed blog energy and think more engagement from readers will compound that. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now that I have a YouTube channel here is my latest upload from a twin bull calf that is seen in our <span style="font-size: large;">mud room</span> at the top of the page. You might also notice that I must be waiting for someone to offer some cash for broken down old Tony Lama work boots by looking in the background of the picture HA!</span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YMQ7Lt0NrZY" width="420"></iframe></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So tonights Cowman twang music selection is from Jesse Watson<span style="font-size: large;"> called "Chicken lights and chrome" the beginning of this song and the little rift from about the 2:24 to 2:36 mark in this video are pure twan<span style="font-size: large;">g h<span style="font-size: large;">eaven!</span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">So please give me some feedback on the new "chicken lights" that the blog is sporting and as always thank you for reading!</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pimgl4GtBrc" width="560"></iframe></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> </b><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-688716954665805242013-03-07T19:47:00.000-08:002013-03-07T19:47:54.262-08:00Tribute to good Mommas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about my Dad and all the things he taught me<span style="font-size: large;"> and how much I miss him every day. Today I am going to spend some time talking about my Mom who did just as much to support, encourage and raise me<span style="font-size: large;">.<span style="font-size: large;"> Being in the business that I am I get to see first hand the importance of having a good mother. Today I was able to actually video just how strong a good mommas natural <span style="font-size: large;">instincts</span> are and I can attest to how <span style="font-size: large;">much positive difference a good momma cow can make in the life of her calf and the profitability of a ranch. So <span style="font-size: large;">t</span>oday I honor my Mom with some commentary and good mother pictures taken today. Happy Birthday Mom<span style="font-size: large;">, I love you very much!</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LEWSccldKHc" width="420"></iframe></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwP5PPCi72MHZdZVYWcDM-Jezz4s5xYTv08MSeLG02l6BMeHoZxQXX6mppN7IHYPeWrKgUB8GI5lkHwl8noBOfTGIjj_rmkVK_u7tkTscxBeuIr8D8onY-2J7N0e1dbmSLNJAW-3TyKA/s1600/3-7-13+007+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwP5PPCi72MHZdZVYWcDM-Jezz4s5xYTv08MSeLG02l6BMeHoZxQXX6mppN7IHYPeWrKgUB8GI5lkHwl8noBOfTGIjj_rmkVK_u7tkTscxBeuIr8D8onY-2J7N0e1dbmSLNJAW-3TyKA/s320/3-7-13+007+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-soSjM6n5CZKi5qVnvf0wWZ8iMeXRyWFmO3juGY6Tzm05KAMwQTWMFxNTM0UgEdpAwipIx-AF_o34BjCjAwMsE-HmsEL_N7fN0hpoKJj54A8K74THAUKKkwZAR4fbvB61Wml2LuEUyHE/s1600/3-7-13+019+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-soSjM6n5CZKi5qVnvf0wWZ8iMeXRyWFmO3juGY6Tzm05KAMwQTWMFxNTM0UgEdpAwipIx-AF_o34BjCjAwMsE-HmsEL_N7fN0hpoKJj54A8K74THAUKKkwZAR4fbvB61Wml2LuEUyHE/s320/3-7-13+019+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being the first born and only son in the family certainly did not hurt but my mom was there <span style="font-size: large;">for m</span>e. <span style="font-size: large;">From c</span>ookies for a Cub Scout meeting, frying up fresh beef heart and scrambled eggs for breakfast when asked, to being the one who would get dad calmed down before he meted out punishment for some of my misdeeds as I grew up, she was always there. There were plenty of times that our individual personalities clashed and at times still happen but I never doubted her support or love. </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtG1Y5QbrfOOl9q9viaBXmc8sckaJRzOk5p-7R0QJcdY2roLDXNX9r7Pe-JKFjiuOigsGVzlqKOwmHe5YU66nSB3PagKz1pjI8AbpOp2gMgbYtR2iNpS4qCmjkxMZv2D6XRFsJCCI8Dg/s1600/3-7-13+026+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtG1Y5QbrfOOl9q9viaBXmc8sckaJRzOk5p-7R0QJcdY2roLDXNX9r7Pe-JKFjiuOigsGVzlqKOwmHe5YU66nSB3PagKz1pjI8AbpOp2gMgbYtR2iNpS4qCmjkxMZv2D6XRFsJCCI8Dg/s320/3-7-13+026+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As an example<span style="font-size: large;">, like many mothers she would remind me to always wear <span style="font-size: large;">underwear that was clean and not torn or tattere<span style="font-size: large;">d. I mean wha<span style="font-size: large;">t if I<span style="font-size: large;"> was involved in some sort of accident <span style="font-size: large;">we</span> clearly did not want some paramedic seeing this! I announced to her in 1981 that I had <span style="font-size: large;">finally embraced her wise words and had solved the potential problem permanently. She bea<span style="font-size: large;">m</span>ed with pride for a few seconds until she asked me how<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> I told her that I was no longer going to wear underwear<span style="font-size: large;"> of any kind so no more need for her to worry. It <span style="font-size: large;">is and was</span> moments like this that her love is tested b<span style="font-size: large;">ut has never wavered.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQUkYJlLOk-pWZOfsrMOLkwShP6REQrGw6S59u0gQQ9AZAxT8OgFIYEUG-B9PPeNF-2GMBIDZhWkNdpLNcEDmxZHptc9LP4r4U4OPRRn_wsQQWhZjFQPKMDJDJkKTkt5HFaXZqYzI70c/s1600/3-7-13+028+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQUkYJlLOk-pWZOfsrMOLkwShP6REQrGw6S59u0gQQ9AZAxT8OgFIYEUG-B9PPeNF-2GMBIDZhWkNdpLNcEDmxZHptc9LP4r4U4OPRRn_wsQQWhZjFQPKMDJDJkKTkt5HFaXZqYzI70c/s320/3-7-13+028+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Mom for all you have done for me, all that you sacrificed in your own life in pursuit of being a good mother to me and my sisters. Thank you for being a great Grandmother as well. We all love you<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Cowman Youtube video selection is a song by Shenandoah <span style="font-size: large;">dedicated to my Mom on her special day.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i2jjdz1Mbts" width="420"></iframe> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-43611476873597942982013-02-28T22:03:00.001-08:002013-02-28T22:03:47.027-08:00Get busy livin, or get busy dyin'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Another great day here in the Columbia Basin. We got some rain, a whopping .17 inches but hey w<span style="font-size: large;">hen you live in a desert you take what you can get! After a quick check of calving cows, tagging <span style="font-size: large;">newborn calves and some sorting an<span style="font-size: large;">d loading I headed to Toppenish, Washington to the weekly cattle auction. Other than the rain coming down all of these tasks went spectacula<span style="font-size: large;">rly even if they took a bit longer than hoped. I was west bound and south bound but a good "twan<span style="font-size: large;">g" so<span style="font-size: large;">ng related to how I felt driving today is "East<span style="font-size: large;">bound and <span style="font-size: large;">Down" by Jerry Reed from the movie Smokey and the Bandit, one <span style="font-size: large;">of the most amusing and fun movie<span style="font-size: large;">s ever. This is also a movie that transcends generations as my kids and I can always laugh and have fun whenever we watch this classic together. You Sumbit@h!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-ls-QEleksI" width="420"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the salesyard, unloaded my cattle and then <span style="font-size: large;">F</span>estus and I<span style="font-size: large;"> proceeded to climb the cat walk to look at cattle and bullshit with fellow cattlemen. One fellow cattleman I s<span style="font-size: large;">po</span>ke with today was Greg Rathbun from Rathbun Angus <span style="font-size: large;">Ranch in Moses Lake, Washington. <a href="http://www.rathbunangus.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rathbunangus.com/</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <span style="font-size: large;">R</span>athbun family is a great family that is very engaged in<span style="font-size: large;"> the cattle business and agriculture. I have some Rathbun genetics in my herd and they have a bull guarantee that is unsurpassed. I laughed today when Greg surmised that "You are way too <span style="font-size: large;">old to be as brave as you are!" related to my YouTube video about tagging calves.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VPNBLKZ8uds" width="420"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I laughed because as I told <span style="font-size: large;">Greg, <span style="font-size: large;">"</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Y</span>ou gott<span style="font-size: large;">a d<span style="font-size: large;">i</span>e doing something!" Yes, I am more careful than I used to be around protective mothers and there are a few cows with calves on the ranch not sporting tags just because I <span style="font-size: large;">know certain cows likely are faster than I am on my fastest day. This is a result of past knowledge of certain cows and their habits around their newly birthed children. I used to work like crazy to tag every calf but these days I get what I can with a reasonable amount of risk </span></span></span>and let the others wait until branding day. Sometimes even when you get a calf tagged if it is done in a hurry the tag is not properly placed and can fall out. I had this experience a couple of days ago. I found a calf without a tag away from the group of cows. At first I thought it might <span style="font-size: large;">b</span>e a twin but then I noticed this little guy had a hole in his ear where his tag had once resided. I got the calf up, headed him in the general direction of the cows and a mother and child reu<span style="font-size: large;">nion took place as I shot some video. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> </b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EFq2vb79l1s" width="420"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the way home today I thought about what Greg had said and my response. Sure, I give cows their proper respect <span style="font-size: large;">but in general I am not afraid of them<span style="font-size: large;">. I really do not spend time worrying that some mother cow is going to end my days here on earth. If such a thing did happen it would not be the worst way to go, doing something I love. That does not mean that I never have anxiety or think about my own death.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">What does make me worry about death are much more simple things in life. What if I am waiting for my turn at the DMV and die of a heart attack? What if one day I am working on a budget<span style="font-size: large;"> and keel over? Heck, for that matter even if I passed while typing out a blog about the incredible life I am able to lead it would be better than the two <span style="font-size: large;">aforementioned</span> scenarios. Life is about LIVING and I can attest that I am not just living, I am living a dream. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This evening as I fed cows I had a bit of a dilema in that I had left my twine cutt<span style="font-size: large;">ing knife in the other pickup. No reason to stress or worry, just make do with whatever you can to get through said situation. As <span style="font-size: large;">Crocodile</span> Dundee</span> exclaimed, That's not a knife."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iQrLPtr_ikE" width="560"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I finished the day I had to improvise and find a "knife<span style="font-size: large;">" of my own for cutting bale twines!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> </b></div>
Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-47782592393458045512013-02-26T23:13:00.000-08:002013-02-26T23:14:30.684-08:00Tell me a story (series on country music)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I could go on and on about country music and my takes on it but just like music variety is the spice of life and maybe it is time to move on? We'll see! So as I wrap up this series on country music and how it relates to my life, how I embrace the variety <span style="font-size: large;">and changes of country music I would be remiss to not mention one other aspect of country music. The "story" type song<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love a good story, both hearing one and telling one. When a musical artist can tell a story in song that is the ultimate for me. I could literally go on for weeks with "story" songs but with anything in today's world things get stale in a hurry and people want to move on to the next thing. Let's see if I can tell a story about cattle and also share some<span style="font-size: large;"> country music that people will enjoy. </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was <span style="font-size: large;">February</span> 200<span style="font-size: large;">6</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">I was at a cattle auction.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>I had mostly sa<span style="font-size: large;">t o<span style="font-size: large;">n my hands that day as bred cows were too high in my opinion given the current uncertainty of the market. 3 black bro<span style="font-size: large;">ckle f<span style="font-size: large;">aced <span style="font-size: large;">heifers</span> entered the sale ring. These <span style="font-size: large;">girls</span> were only<span style="font-size: large;"> 2</span> years old, bred to calve shortly, but were thin, very<span style="font-size: large;">, very thin. Long story, short I took a chance. .3<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">8</span> cents a pound at 1<span style="font-size: large;">049 pounds<span style="font-size: large;">. I had become the new owner of 3 very thin young <span style="font-size: large;">b<span style="font-size: large;">red <span style="font-size: large;">heifers</span> for less tha<span style="font-size: large;">n $400 each. I bought a few other cows that day but when loading I saw <span style="font-size: large;">these <span style="font-size: large;">3 particular heifers</span> as a real <span style="font-size: large;">"hail mary" A song that tells a story and captures that purchase is Kenny Rogers "The Gambler" a twist on his words that I have foun<span style="font-size: large;">d very true!</span> "Cause every cows a winner, and every cows a loser, and the best that you can<span style="font-size: large;"> hope for is to die in your sleep"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jj4nJ1YEAp4" width="420"></iframe></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I brought my new cows and heifers home, vaccinated them, gave them a wormer and a vita<span style="font-size: large;">min</span> booster and said a little prayer.Things did not start off well. The f<span style="font-size: large;">i</span>rst of these 3 <span style="font-size: large;">heifers</span> calved fine but then went downhill rapidly and eventually died. Her calf was grafted on to a first calf heifer that lost her calf but at this point my investment did not look too good. Eventually the other two <span style="font-size: large;">heifers calved on their own and had nice <span style="font-size: large;">bull calves. They both also had gained some weight and looked pretty good. One of these new made cows was <span style="font-size: large;">4</span>158W. I had taken a chance, and although not perfect it was just what a good old boy would do in this business. A song that tells a story and to me captures how I was feeling is Don Williams singing "Good Old Boys like me" </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d32h0TuSgEY" width="420"></iframe> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">These 2 cows #<span style="font-size: large;">4</span>157 an<span style="font-size: large;">d #<span style="font-size: large;">4</span>158 both straightened out, raised good calves and in terms of $ and se<span style="font-size: large;">nse I had probably broke even at a year later. It <span style="font-size: large;">was in the second year of ownership that things began to improve. Both of these cows again raised good calves and the market had improved. They both continued to be good mother cows and they both kept producing bull calve<span style="font-size: large;">s,</span> fast forw<span style="font-size: large;">ard to 200<span style="font-size: large;">9. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#4158 finally had a heifer calf, a patch eyed little</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">firecra</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">cker that was was no doubt a "replacement" heifer. Her mother was a good calf raiser but was one of those cows that you really had to respect around her newborn calves. Here is </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#415</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 with her calf in 2011</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH2S-VSU1L33GQOw25BzsdKBK8GpC3UgsES-Q7ayiT1ohgXAVghreth0xTPPFymez2UEm1U1CEIw4rVK7Z6CYxw44eBwrP7RZONL3wgjeDKERxJMaDnxd8qFVicjXi0czVZa81BHcUgI/s1600/spring+calving+2011+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH2S-VSU1L33GQOw25BzsdKBK8GpC3UgsES-Q7ayiT1ohgXAVghreth0xTPPFymez2UEm1U1CEIw4rVK7Z6CYxw44eBwrP7RZONL3wgjeDKERxJMaDnxd8qFVicjXi0czVZa81BHcUgI/s320/spring+calving+2011+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This was also the year #9158 became a first time mother and because of her history and the way she raised calves became probably my favorite current cow. She is very much like her momma, easy to work, easy to load but very protective of her newborns. Today as I approached her 3rd calf I did so with caution. She had birthed a beautiful black white faced bu<span style="font-size: large;">ll calf that </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">very likely will be a show steer prospect. I caught the calf, gave it a mineral injection and t</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ried to tag it from the opposite side if the f</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ourwheeler</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. His mother was blowing a bit of snot but was not particularly nasty today, but as I put the tag in her child's ear #315</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 gave out a loud bawl and his mother hit me in my </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">supersized gut which spawned a rapid mouth watering projectile vomit of the 69 cent burrito I had sadly chosen for lunch. Here she is shortly after said burrito was spat in a southerly direction</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vS0gso5z1dD9Jbti6CcjU_s0I2K1iytyh-rJVIdiYmuZf7zPjQanEDbBC_8yPJs-03JHOkh9Slbb6T7whRE9IzOb3Irrbu2fEU5-qBZS6C98iksjLYfALTbUrQ_tffmS3DRJO3zv47s/s1600/2-26-13+007+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vS0gso5z1dD9Jbti6CcjU_s0I2K1iytyh-rJVIdiYmuZf7zPjQanEDbBC_8yPJs-03JHOkh9Slbb6T7whRE9IzOb3Irrbu2fEU5-qBZS6C98iksjLYfALTbUrQ_tffmS3DRJO3zv47s/s320/2-26-13+007+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">A story song that I think captures all this <span style="font-size: large;">reminiscing about the past</span> <span style="font-size: large;">is Tom T<span style="font-size: large;">. Hall singing "I remember the year that Clayton Delaney died"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-88324627796605927722013-02-20T22:58:00.000-08:002013-02-20T22:58:57.451-08:00Country music? what and why?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So before general life takes over and I have no connection to my last post let's continue with just what I feel country music is. I had an incredible day here on the ranch, 6 new calves, 2 more that will arrive before daybreak in my estimation and sun<span style="font-size: large;">shine, no disasters and lots of music and fun! I feel today's <span style="font-size: large;">calves born and their respective mothers are a good exam<span style="font-size: large;">ple of why I enjoy the variety of t<span style="font-size: large;">he country music scene. To me country music consists of several things, <span style="font-size: large;">tradition,</span> lyrics<span style="font-size: large;">, instrumental composition including "twan<span style="font-size: large;">g" and feeling (emotion). <span style="font-size: large;">Some songs only capture one of these, some capture many and the true classics to me capture all of them<span style="font-size: large;">. I hope you enjoy these pictures (viewed full size by clicking on them) and videos that I think represent these different values that mani<span style="font-size: large;">fested themselves today as I roll on through spring calving season.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfuEbhUvnt9gaqOiaRaLOtYvhrAOXZ-mZqMsRjP-YOTFrPpqJ8Qhkw8oJkdcEnI2stIwh3sBiPt2JoxxTsWGfh2A2eAMNDBgExx17OJMerEk7kjimT0NfjvIFm94I1_Dq-P7leaxvr0c/s1600/2-20-13+021+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfuEbhUvnt9gaqOiaRaLOtYvhrAOXZ-mZqMsRjP-YOTFrPpqJ8Qhkw8oJkdcEnI2stIwh3sBiPt2JoxxTsWGfh2A2eAMNDBgExx17OJMerEk7kjimT0NfjvIFm94I1_Dq-P7leaxvr0c/s320/2-20-13+021+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tradition, these would be older songs that have a "classic" feel to them. Something from the past that although hard to find on today's radio waves are great songs just the same. The first calf I tagged today was #3008 a black bull that is the son of <span style="font-size: large;">#9008 a 14 year<span style="font-size: large;"> old cow. This lady gets a bit tougher to keep each year. <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>er age and her teeth dictate she should be culled but she seems to hold her flesh and raise above average calves</span></span>, as long as she continues to do so she will stay but her life is <span style="font-size: large;">definitely coming to a close. </span>A country song that I feel encapsulates her classic <span style="font-size: large;">stay ability and tradition is John Anderson singing "1959" </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WAUAM2eGnCM" width="420"></iframe> <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The next cow<span style="font-size: large;">/calf pair that happened today was #<span style="font-size: large;">3202 a<span style="font-size: large;">nd her mother <span style="font-size: large;">#1302. This <span style="font-size: large;">is a first calf heifer that actually has a name "<span style="font-size: large;">Crybaby" she was born in 2011 and earned her name from the fact that no matter how close her mother was to her she was constantly bawling like she was lost. Dakota and I have are highly amused because her new heifer calf is exactly the same way! Very Vocal and constantly bawling <span style="font-size: large;">any time a teat is not in her mouth. Here is Crybaby <span style="font-size: large;">with her first calf and as a newborn</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lyrics are part of what makes country music so great. So many great song writers and the<span style="font-size: large;">ir <span style="font-size: large;">ability to wordsmith are alwa<span style="font-size: large;">ys amazing to me. When you can have a song that talks about mental illness and still be amusing that is inc<span style="font-size: large;">redible in my mind. Here is Jon Conlee singing "I don't remember loving you" lyrics like "but everyone<span style="font-size: large;"> I know here in this place is very strange, if you'll hand me my crayons I'll be glad to take your name." Gr<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dKldKpSbx9E" width="420"></iframe>eat lyrics<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we move on to instrumental which can show thr<span style="font-size: large;">ough so many songs<span style="font-size: large;"> especially "t<span style="font-size: large;">wang" which can be a steel guitar, a dobro, drums, fiddles are awesome or even a banjo or a piano at times. A cow that calved today that to me represents "twang" is #12<span style="font-size: large;">R. This is not my cow sadly<span style="font-size: large;">, but a friends that I help out by taking care of his cows during the winter. To me "twang" represents something different. I do not want all my cows to look the same, I don't want all my days to be the same, "twang" is what sets things a<span style="font-size: large;">part. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AGe71M_TmWyQnYmoamXIOCY1T1kHLPCBVQYXnm6tcj6mHuad6s3FYziE2UVPv-QORgsakoMjEukC9dRUACAvsDInjzV1tF6oKGcKimv4rDvT4bX6j2ZMveEClCyNplFvEJq0T4jO9Dw/s1600/2-20-13+005+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AGe71M_TmWyQnYmoamXIOCY1T1kHLPCBVQYXnm6tcj6mHuad6s3FYziE2UVPv-QORgsakoMjEukC9dRUACAvsDInjzV1tF6oKGcKimv4rDvT4bX6j2ZMveEClCyNplFvEJq0T4jO9Dw/s320/2-20-13+005+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This cow is an American White Park cow and as you can see she passed on her unique markings to her heifer calf. <span style="font-size: large;">A country</span> song that represents "twang" and something a bit different to me is Keith Anderson singing "<span style="font-size: large;">Pickin Wildflowers" this song also has some stellar lyrics."Gonna get a little p<span style="font-size: large;">eace</span> on earth!" Oh twang me Santa Claus.
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So to wrap up this post I need a cow and a song that represents emotion and feeling. In this instance I actually have a video for both! The cow is #0002 a secon<span style="font-size: large;">d calver from a stellar background of cows. I was able to get a video today of tagging her calf, my first YouTube video posting.
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A song that encapsulates tradition, lyrics, instrumental and emotion altogether is this beauty by Vern Gosdin, "<span style="font-size: large;">Chiseled in <span style="font-size: large;">Stone." I thank you all for following and reading this blog. I hope you all had at least as great of a day as I did! </span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-32314494023105415622013-02-16T21:28:00.000-08:002013-02-16T21:28:29.398-08:00What is "country" music? (a series)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have mentioned here before how much I love music. I know some would find it quite odd then that my main pickup has had NO radio for over a y<span style="font-size: large;">ear and my other pickup has no radio but there is a<span style="font-size: large;"> multi artist cassette that is stuck in the player and plays consta<span style="font-size: large;">ntly<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">. There are several great songs on it with my favorite being Cee Cee Chapman singing "Rainbow Rider" which was later released by Tanya Tucker. "A trailer behind an old white Eldorado, a red western suns<span style="font-size: large;">et a blu<span style="font-size: large;">e mountain range."</span></span> I thought Cee Cee was a great singer and enjoyed her songs even though she was not a songwriter. However few people have even as much as heard of Cee Cee before the last 30 seconds.</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> What is really odd lately is that even though Griselda currently has NO radio Carrie Underwood si<span style="font-size: large;">nging "Two B<span style="font-size: large;">lack Cadillacs" still plays from her speakers several times a day! That was a joke based on the fact tha<span style="font-size: large;">t on most country music stations these days a small playlist repeats over and over to the ever so closed minded general public<span style="font-size: large;">. Now I can appreciate Carrie Underwood<span style="font-size: large;">'s voice and actually like some of her songs but her political stances pretty much sicken me<span style="font-size: large;">. Oh by the way the reason I have no<span style="font-size: large;">t gotten in a huge hurry to replace my stereo is <span style="font-size: large;">as a man I cannot properly check cows and have <span style="font-size: large;">music invading my brain at the same time!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><b> </b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lately I have come across two fellow ag bloggers with posts about todays music sce<span style="font-size: large;">ne, specifically today's country music scene. At PNW Rancher Erica Beck laments "Whose going to fill their shoes" as she blogs about <span style="font-size: large;">the future of the beef industry </span><a href="http://www.pnwrancher.com/whos-gonna-fill-their-shoes/" target="_blank">http://www.pnwrancher.com/whos-gonna-fill-their-shoes/</a> . Another great blogger Carrie Mess also talks of today's country music scene at <a href="http://dairycarrie.com/2013/01/18/truck-no/">http://dairycarrie.com/2013/01/18/truck-no/ <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will certainly agree with both of these great ladies and bloggers that country music has become a bit too "pop" lately and lack some of the old down home feel that many of us grew up with<span style="font-size: large;">. While I <span style="font-size: large;">empathize with their views I actually embrace the new artists and new sounds.<span style="font-size: large;"> I will try and explain my stance over the next 3-4 blog posts.</span></span> </span> I can already tell that this little diatribe on today's country music is going to go long so I will break it into several parts. Hey good news! More daily posts! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have loved Waylon Jennings since the first time I heard him. So many of his songs hit home with me and I love the instrumental portion as much as the lyrics<span style="font-size: large;">.I doubt anyone would disagree that Waylon is a "classic<span style="font-size: large;">" country artist but at one time that was not the case.</span> I mean really how can you NOT love this? Between the guitars and the lyrics...WOW!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Now<span style="font-size: large;">, <span style="font-size: large;">Waylo<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">'s son Shooter Jennings while not nearly as well known also has made some great music. His unconventional style and in <span style="font-size: large;">your face lyrics are something I appreciate. Here he talks about his father and his struggles and adds some commentary of his own about today<span style="font-size: large;">'</span>s music scene. I love the fiddles and drums in this song as well as the lyrics. "They took the outlaw concept and repackaged it<span style="font-size: large;">" Here is "<span style="font-size: large;">Outlaw You" Conventional? No. Country music? I say Yes!</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>So here we have 3 examples of <span style="font-size: large;">country music that were unconventional given their individual timing. Now, none of these songs are probably what I would call soulful countr<span style="font-size: large;">y music and certainly not traditional but I enjoy all three just the same. My next post will continue on this subject and why I <span style="font-size: large;">like today's variety but also despise some aspects of today<span style="font-size: large;">'</span>s mus<span style="font-size: large;">ic</span> scene. Just to stay with my original intent of this blog I am goin<span style="font-size: large;">g to share a picture of <span style="font-size: large;">#1421 with her first heifer calf #3421 enjoying today<span style="font-size: large;">'s sunshine here on the ranch. Speaking of sunshine here is a song that I enjoy and recently found. Is this some down home soulful country? Nope, but it is a fun and feel good song that also ca<span style="font-size: large;">ptures some spirit of enjoying country life and what it has to offer. I mean hey, who would have ever thought I could open my mind enough to enjoy a song that even has some "rapping" in it? Enjoy <span style="font-size: large;">"The Lacs" which stands for "loud ass crackers" and <span style="font-size: large;">"Country Boys Paradise" I mean with lyrics like "little string bikinis and corona flip flops, me and my buddies standing on the toolbox, ladies it's ok to take your tops off" how can this not be "country"? This "twang" from about the 2<span style="font-size: large;">:08 point in the video is just heaven in my opinion and that is not because of the video! To be continu<span style="font-size: large;">ed.....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-18911055226581156152013-02-13T01:05:00.001-08:002013-02-13T01:19:02.506-08:00Best laid plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today, like many days, started out with a plan. I currently have calving cows in 2 places. The home place and the Corrales circle. The plan started out with checking the cows on the home place. I fired up my Japanese Quarter horse aka a red Honda fourwheeler (Ruby Sue) and started out across the pasture. This went fairly well as all the calves that were born here yesterday were near their mothers and nobody had dropped a new calf overnight. I also noted that nobody looked like she was going to calve in the next few hours. I headed back home to meander off to my next task. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I started Griselda which was connected to my stock trailer which contained another Japanese Quarter horse aka a yellow Honda fourwheeler aka (Tommy) from the Kenny Rogers song "Coward of the County". </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Griselda roared to life as her Cummins innards were programmed to do. The next stop was the other ranch house to take the garbage can to the road, then off to the Corrales circle cows and then to Eltopia to gather up electric fence and fence posts. While taking the garbage can to the road at the other ranch house I heard a snap and as I climbed back inside Griselda I knew what had happened. The "Serpentine" belt which on most of today's vehicles runs every secondary operation of a vehicle had snapped. Now luckily I was not 100's of miles from home, the snow was not falling and just last week I had actually purchased a new belt based on mileage and wear. I limped Griselda 1/2 mile home with no power steering and decided today's plans were flexible. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, a serpentine belt is an amazing thing. On a 2005 Dodge 5.9 Cummins it runs your alternator, fan, water pump, power steering and air conditioning. Without a serpentine belt it runs you to a psychiatrist as you are truly screwed without it. Replacing a serpentine belt on this particular model of pickup would take 20 minutes with two people. Replacing a serpetine belt alone is a bit different. The first 20 minutes are spent spewing cuss words and wishing you could go back to the old days in which there was a separate belt for each function. In retrospect like many things in the end it is better as you do not have to thread the serpentine belt around the fan which is a knuckle scraping mother! 2 1/2 hours later Griselda was back to normal and I was almost giddy thinking that now I did not have any time left in my day for paper work as previously planned. We headed down the road to the Corrales circle to check cows.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I arrived at the Corrales circle, I unloaded Tommy and headed out for my check. 1002 a daughter of 2002 had her first calf, a bull calf with her.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I tagged, gave a MultiMin shot to 1002's bull calf and continued through the cows. My heart dropped as I saw 1002's sister 9002 lying on her side and did not detect any movement. As I got closer 9002 swung herself to a prone position and I could see 2 feet protruding f<span style="font-size: large;">rom</span> her vulva as she was in the process of birthing. I took Tommy back to the trailer<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> reloaded him and moved down the road closer to where 9002 was calving. I got the OB chains in my pocket as well as some pulling handles and then used my binoculars to see what progress 9002 was making.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point I could see that 9002 was rapidly commencing to birth her calf. I headed out on foot with my OB chains, pulling handle and camera. I calve about 225 cows a year but rarely do I actually witness a live birth. As I ran across the corn stalks I saw that 9002 quickly pushed her calf out and I got within video range just as she stood up. She took a quick bite and swallow of her afterbirth aka placenta and then went to work cleaning off her newborn heifer calf. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both 1002 and 9002 are daughters of 2002. This cow 2002 has more daughters (3) in the herd and more granddaughters in the herd (2) than any other cow on the place. It is both an honor and a privilege to be around these amazing females of the bovine species. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My plans of doing some paper work today did not materialize.My plans of gathering posts and hot wire fence from the place the cows were last at did not happen. But I did end up enjoying a great day, watching tremendous cow families contribute to what I do for a living! As the afternoon progressed I was unceremoniously tossed from the flatbed of Elvira my 1998 Dodge pickup as Dakota forgot to place the transmission into 4LOW and the clutch engagement sent me flying off the back. As I laid there on the ground of the ranch that I grew up on I could not help but laugh as I realized that as many in this country watched the Chris Dorner saga and talked about last nights Grammy awards I was just a cowman doing what I can to make a living while feeding the world. I am truly blessed to be an ordinary man living an extraordinary life! I ended the day at a Franklin County Cattlemen's Association meeting with good friends, good food and good drinks.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I march on through this life and witness the spectacular power of Mother Nature daily I am constantly questioning the idea of God or a higher power. In my days of working with Mother Nature there is no doubt that there has to be something bigger out there than the human experience. Today's Cowman YouTube music selection is a bit different from the "twang" Country I usually embrace. I first heard this song on an episode of the HBO hit the Soprano's but I think it truly captures the deference I have learned to give everyday life and the infinite possibilities each day brings! "</span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I have handed all my efforts in<br />
I searched here for my second wind<br />
Is there somewhere here to let me in I asked<br />
So I slammed the doors they slammed at me<br />
I found the place I'm meant to be<br />
I figured out my destiny at last." Basically Mother Nature I am your stooge, what you throw my way I will deal with as best I can.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I present to you Kasey Chambers and hope each of you can embrace the idea that life is not scripted, life is not perfect, unless you let life be! Reme<span style="font-size: large;">mber all pics can be viewed full size by clicking on them and although I still dont have m<span style="font-size: large;">y comments working you can email your thoughts on this and any blog post to olberding_farms@y<span style="font-size: large;">ahoo.com</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-11424775837078507452013-02-08T23:32:00.000-08:002013-02-08T23:40:47.917-08:00Sit tall in the saddle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I know, I suck at posting here. I must have 100 partially written blog posts but lately I just cannot seem to get anything down that seems to me that anyone would want to take time out of their busy day to read. I have learned one thing in that being on Facebook and Twitter has actually hurt my blog posting regularity. It is much easier to post something quick and short during my day than sitting down and postulating about my day each evening.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calving is going well so far and other than losing one calf to drowning in a ditch that broke my heart. I am getting 2-3 calves each day on average and I have been really happy with the ones on the ground so far. Winter feed has been a real struggle. Last year I was not set well and things worked out great. This year I was set up great and for various reasons things have fell apart. I have been lucky in that I have found relatively inexpensive hay and the weather has been very cooperative. By all indications we may finally get an early spring here in the Columbia Basin after 2 years of late springs. Early springs mean early grass and a happy cowman. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March will be 5 years since Dad physically left our presence. I was told by many on the day of his celebration of life that it would get better from that day forward. That advice was sound but after nearly 5 years I still miss him so damn much. There just is not part of any day where he does not manifest himself. Just today I was moving some Powder River panels alone and I thought back to the day we bought these particular panels. Dad decided to buy 14 foot panels, me doing the math on a "per foot" basis bought 16 foot panels. His argument was that if you ever had to move these panels by yourself the 14 footers would be much easier to handle than the 16 footers. At the time back in 2005 I never really imagined moving panels without him being around. Today, as I sweated and hoisted the 16 footers I felt like bawling but instead just laughed at how prophetic his wise words were. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week a daughter of the last cow he bought gave birth to her 2nd calf. That really put into perspective how long he has been away. Here is 0107y with her second calf 3107w. Sometimes his wisdom and memories are very helpful and calming. Earlier this week I had a first calf heifer that did not have her calf with her as the sun sank in the Western Sky. I was traversing the pasture frantically trying to find the calf and facilitate a reunion. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could hear Dad in my ear telling me to quit worrying and to let the new mother do what Mother Nature had programmed her to do. As darkness fell I could not help putting faith in his words. I slept very fitfully as I envisioned the calf meeting the same fate as the one that fell in the ditch. I was out the door at daylight and the chill of the morning air and the beautiful sunrise gave me hope that Dad had been correct in his advice. I was not disappointed as 3241 was jumping around near her mother who was sporting a well suckled udder. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a bit of an incident with cow 5501 this week as she had birthed a new calf. This cow is pretty easy going but is very protective of her newborn calves. I made a tag for the calf and was determined that between Festus keeping her attention I could get her calf tagged. This particular cow gave me quite a head butt back in 2010 as I tried to tag her calf and I could feel Dad cautioning me in my endeavor. Between the cows action and Dad's prompting I decided against being a hero. As Dad used to say,"those eartags are just something for YOU, they mean nothing to the mother cow, she knows who her kid is!" Back in 2010 her calf did not have a tag and she made my right shoulder somehow touch my left shoulder. In 2013 her calf does not have a tag but my shoulders are where they are supposed to be. Thanks Dad for the sound advice!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that Dad can see these new calves but I sure wish he was here to give his comments. In the afternoons when Dakota helps me feed she often makes comments that both make me smile and also somewhat sad in that it is very clear who her Grandpa is. She has both her grandfathers perpetual optimism as well as his hearty cynicism when some cows seem to under perform. So far these calves have looked awesome and I know Dad would appreciate the crossbreeding system we are now seeing excellent results from. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So earlier this week when I lost that calf in the ditch that was when I needed Dad the most. I did not really feel like I had failed as much as I just felt bad in that this cow is getting on in years and she had produced a gorgeous bull calf and now unless I get a twin very soon she will sent on her way to nourish the hungry world. Chris Ledoux sings with great lyrics of how I got through that day in a summary of how Dad would have advised me. "He said, Sit tall in the saddle and hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky. And live like you ain't afraid to die. And don't be scared, just enjoy the ride."</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you Dad for all your education, love and advice. I know you were "<span style="font-size: small;">Tougher than the rest." and thank you for me making me that way. I miss you every day but feel you in everything I d<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="font-size: small;">, your legacy lives on in all of us!</span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eWR7ILg75D4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Remember all pictures can be viewed fu<span style="font-size: small;">ll size by cl<span style="font-size: small;">i<span style="font-size: small;">cking on them. I will t<span style="font-size: small;">ry and get here more regularly even if it is nothing <span style="font-size: small;">more than a quick picture.</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-52687985076073408492012-12-24T00:55:00.000-08:002012-12-24T09:02:14.562-08:00Sandy Hook, there oughta be a law!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As many bloggers around the country have done I am going to dedicate a post to the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.Get ready for a long read but PLEASE I beg you if you have ever read a single post of mine read this one! I wanted to do this sooner but I felt that my disgust, sadness and anger, as well as the medias race to report "facts" might lead to me making comments based on information that was incorrect if done too soon. Yes, it is possible that information may be forth coming that will change certain views and elements of this blog post and if something major is revealed I will address it it a future blog post. I am glad that I did not do what so many others have done and jump on a "there oughta be a law" parade.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am going to start by offering prayers and thoughts to all of those affected by this senseless tragedy. I have said it here and in other places if there is one thing I could change about this world it would be that no parent would ever lose a child in ANY circumstance. As painful as this is for the parents that lost children in Connecticut I am sure it is very painful to be 80 years old and lose a child of 50.I also am going to point out that in incidents of child death with 1 victim the parents of that child grieve NO less than the multiple parents grieving in Connecticut tonight, including those that lost adult children in this tragedy. As excruciating as it was to lose my father before his time, I am thankful that he never had to face my death or the passing of any of my sisters. I just cannot compute that situation in my mind, a parent losing a child.As I go through this and give my thoughts remember that in the beginning I promised you that sometimes what I have to say might be a bit harsh but it will be real.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As expected the general public and those in leadership positions want 3 things after such a terrible incident. Also, as expected in an emotional frenzy ideas and realities are disjointed. They want to know how such a thing could happen, why did such a thing happen, and what can we do to prevent such a terrible thing from ever happening again. I will whole heartily agree that this discussion should happen, what I do not agree with is that gun laws in the United States of America is the place to start this discussion. This is going to get pretty long winded but I ask you to hear me out. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think we can all agree that a knee jerk reaction in any situation is rarely the best and prudent solution. When ever these things happen we immediately jump to the idea that "there oughta be a LAW", thinking that somehow if we just had some type of legislation all heartache, evil, senselessness and stupidity in this world would suddenly disappear. So let's review. Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country. Here is a quote from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence <a href="http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/CT/">http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/CT/</a> ; "</span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connecticut has strong gun laws that help combat the illegal gun market,
prevent the sale of most guns without background checks and reduce
risks to children, according to the Brady Campaign. In the
organization’s 2009 state scorecards released for all 50 states,
Connecticut earned 58 points out of a total of 100 and has the nation’s
fourth strongest gun laws. “Connecticut has done more than most
states to combat illegal guns and has worked to keep guns out of the
hands of dangerous people. In fact, Connecticut has a one-of-a-kind law
that allows a judge to remove guns from people who have been determined
to be a threat to themselves or others,” said Ron Pinciaro, President
of CT Against Gun Violence.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How is THAT working out? 4th STRONGEST gun laws in the USA and yet 20 children and 6 adults including the alleged perpetrators mother are now gone , yeah effective laws working there.It should also be noted that Adam Lanza broke no fewer than 6 laws before he even entered the school including MURDER. So how do we work to prevent these terrible tragedies from the likes of such f*cktards as Adam Lanza? Oh you don't like my characterization of Adam as a "f*cktard"?. Fine, let's instead call him a loser, a freak, an evil no good weakling. Well let's start there in how we combat these incidents in the future. Stay with me folks, my straight forward commentary may not be easy to digest, but honesty and reality should be the focus.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have become hyper-sensitive in this world, words like retard, faggot, nerd, and ethnic slurs like cracker, nigger, spic etc. while very offensive to many have somehow become justification for violent responses.Lately on social media my 2 favorite terms describing posters have been "wolf humpers" and "leaf lickers". If tomorrow one of those I have directed this term towards goes on a murderous rampage am I at fault? Come on people! I guess I missed out on my own violent responses when my views or simply my occupation or picture has spawned the term of hick,hillbilly,murderer, redneck, goat f*cke r, earth rapist etc. Have we really become this thin skinned, are we really this emotionally weak? Does someone have to die because they slighted us or made us feel inferior? *shaking my head* As a society we have focused so much on "inclusion" and potential "bullying" that we have lost "tolerance" and "maturity". If we outlaw any derogatory term would we never have to face these incidents? How about every "leaf licker" as well as every "hillbilly" get a damn grip and have some maturity and personal responsibility for actions.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's look into that point, maturity. On this issue, as well as the whole issue of human violence, I certainly do not have all the answers but it is a problem. I can firmly say that at 12 years of age I and the vast majority of my peers had more maturity and personal responsibility than many of today's 25 year olds. Why did we have this maturity and personal responsibility? I believe it was because the focus from our parents and educators was personal responsibility, ability to face disappointment as well as an ability to celebrate success and a strong work ethic to achieve success. Our self esteem came as much from WITHIN ourselves as it did from the accolades of fellow students, educators or parents. We also knew that if you screwed up you would likely face the end of a paddle on your ass instead of being coddled into some special program. Thank you Mr. Arnold and Mr. Arlington! In today's world we have traded those values for instant gratification, everyone is a "winner" and gets a trophy, and those that are successful must have achieved it through illicit or illegal means. Coveting and jealousy have become acceptable and celebrated emotions.No wonder so many are so sensitive to terms such as "loser". The terms that hit the depth of our hearts are those that hit closest to the truth. That does not mean people should exact "revenge" especially through killing others each time they feel some kind of slight.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, let's look into the issue of mental health. Believe me, as someone that has experienced this issue through relatives and myself I know this is sensitive and the answers are not always black and white. We cannot lock up everyone that has a quirk in their personality. If someone loses a close friend or loved one and receives 6 weeks of counseling or anti-depressants does that alone disqualify them from firearm ownership? I know many people including myself that have struggled with this issue but at the same time never decided that going on a rampage in a elementary school was the answer even in a passing thought. In today's world of cutting publicly funded budgets (which I mostly agree with) mental healthcare is one area that needs to be publicly funded and supported. That being said it will not stop all the evil in this world no matter the $ we throw at this issue. I know one thing for sure, when this issue of violence is discussed the mental health system in this country needs to be discussed long before gun control.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next issue is social media and being social in general. Part of being a man and becoming a man in my opinion is what I call the "walk of shame". I remember the hours and sometimes days spent debating asking a girl out on a date.I remember the sting of rejection and the pain and humiliation that such a situation entailed, but not nearly as much as the joy as a "yes" response to my affections. In today's world asking a girl on a date is as easy as a text message. If she happens to say "no" hopefully she keeps it to herself and nobody has to die because some young mans "honor" has been violated. In today's world kids can use social media but how many of them posses the maturity and guts to make a presentation to a large group of strangers? We are so electronically social that younger people don't know how to act or TALK to people!Should we banish text messaging? No! Should we better educate our youth as to the realities of the world and that face to face contact and interaction is STILL the one skill that will propel you to financial prosperity and personal contentment? Hell yes! How often are these killers described as someone that is focused on video games, shy, withdrawn and labeled as a "loner"? Believe me, I don't know all the answers but these are the questions that should be asked long before what freedoms 99.999% of law abiding citizens should forfeit. How did we become such a society that is so informed, so in touch with the latest news while also becoming so insensitive to those around us that someone 20 years old could kill a child by ANY means? Did Adam Lanza's brother Ryan go on a rampage because he was initially falsely accused by the media? NO! If this incident happened 30 years ago I likely would not have heard about it until the next morning as my Dad; who always picked up the TriCity Herald at 4:30 a.m.; would have related it to me.As to that issue how many young men don't have the self esteem and personal responsibility because their parent(s) offers zero support? Is our quest for up to the second information somehow a detriment to society? No, but these killers are all but glorified because today's media drones on incessantly about them.Sadly, maybe we need a reality show where those feeling slighted can kill someone and get it out of their system and then at the end of the show we can find out it is all staged and the killer can have a sense of pride knowing millions got to see them on television and they now have a sense of self importance. Of course, I remember driving a pickup to school with a Remington model 870 12 gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber Marlin rifle in a gun rack in the back window and nobody blinked an eye and never once did I or those in charge of my education question my motivations or a potential danger. It wasn't that long ago, (graduated HS in 1985) what has happened since then? Yes we need a discussion.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I say this discussion needs to take place but that the focus should not be on gun control I offer to you these FACTS. For those of you predisposed to gun control these facts will make you angry, please don't shoot anyone over these facts!. It is my sincere hope that we can have a discussion without my hillbilly, redneck, goat raping, earth exploiting, and cowboy logic coming into the </span></b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">conversation. Assault weapon ban? The country was plagued with multiple victim shootings including all of these that took place during the Clinton "assault weapon ban". One happening very close to where I live! Some of these were committed with "assault weapons" some were not, the point being that several laws were broken in each incident BEFORE anyone was shot. </span></b></span><br />
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<li><b>January 12, 1995:</b> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Washington" title="Seattle Washington">Seattle Washington</a>
A student left school during the day and returned with his
grandfather's 9mm. He wounded two students. The incident is portrayed in
the documentary <i>Cease Fire</i>.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from October 2012">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>October 12, 1995:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackville,_South_Carolina" title="Blackville, South Carolina">Blackville, South Carolina</a> A suspended student shot two math teachers with a .32 caliber revolver.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from October 2012">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>November 15, 1995:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynnville,_Tennessee" title="Lynnville, Tennessee">Lynnville, Tennessee</a> A 17-year-old boy shot and killed a student and teacher with a .22 rifle.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from October 2012">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></li>
</ul>
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<li><b>February 2, 1996:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Lake,_Washington" title="Moses Lake, Washington">Moses Lake, Washington</a> Two students and one teacher killed, one other wounded when 14-year-old Barry Loukaitis opened fire on his algebra class.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>February 19, 1997:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethel,_Alaska" title="Bethel, Alaska">Bethel, Alaska</a> Principal and one student killed, two others wounded by Evan Ramsey, 16.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>October 1, 1997:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl,_Mississippi" title="Pearl, Mississippi">Pearl, Mississippi</a>
Two students killed and seven wounded by Luke Woodham, 16, who was also
accused of killing his mother. He and his friends were said to be
outcasts who <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_worship" title="Devil worship">worshiped</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan" title="Satan">Satan</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
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<li><b>November 27, 1997:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Palm_Beach,_Florida" title="West Palm Beach, Florida">West Palm Beach, Florida</a>
Conniston Middle School 14-year-old John Kamel was fatally shot in the
chest at 8:40 a.m. outside school on a sidewalk by 14-year-old Tronneal
Mangum after an argument over an Adidas watch that Mangum had taken from
Kamel.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from October 2012">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>December 1, 1997:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Paducah,_Kentucky" title="West Paducah, Kentucky">West Paducah, Kentucky</a> Three students killed, five wounded by Michael Carneal, 14, as they participated in a prayer circle at Heath High School.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>December 15, 1997:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamps,_Arkansas" title="Stamps, Arkansas">Stamps, Arkansas</a> Two students wounded. Colt Todd, 14, was hiding in the woods when he shot the students as they stood in the parking lot<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>March 24, 1998:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonesboro,_Arkansas" title="Jonesboro, Arkansas">Jonesboro, Arkansas</a>
Four students and one teacher killed, ten others wounded outside as
Westside Middle School emptied during a false fire alarm. Mitchell
Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, shot at their classmates and
teachers from the woods<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>April 24, 1998:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinboro,_Pennsylvania" title="Edinboro, Pennsylvania">Edinboro, Pennsylvania</a>
One teacher, John Gillette, was killed and two students wounded at a
dance at James W. Parker Middle School. Andrew Wurst, 14, was charged.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>May 21, 1998:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Oregon" title="Springfield, Oregon">Springfield, Oregon</a> Two students killed, 22 others wounded in the cafeteria at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_High_School" title="Thurston High School">Thurston High School</a> by 15-year-old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kip_Kinkel" title="Kip Kinkel">Kip Kinkel</a>.
Kinkel had been arrested and released a day earlier for bringing a gun
to school. His parents were later found dead at home, shot to death by
their son<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>June 15, 1998:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia" title="Richmond, Virginia">Richmond, Virginia</a> One teacher and one guidance counselor wounded by a 14-year-old boy in the school hallway<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>December 10, 1998:</b> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit,_Michigan" title="Detroit, Michigan">Detroit, Michigan</a> One professor killed by a graduate student. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-40">[40]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>April 20, 1999:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littleton,_Colorado" title="Littleton, Colorado">Littleton, Colorado</a> 14 students (including 2 shooters) and one teacher killed, 27 others wounded at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School" title="Columbine High School">Columbine High School</a>. <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_David_Harris" title="Eric David Harris">Eric Harris</a>, 18, and <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Klebold" title="Dylan Klebold">Dylan Klebold</a>, 17, had plotted for a year to kill at least 500 and blow up their school. At the end of their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre" title="Columbine High School massacre">hour-long rampage</a>, they turned their guns on themselves.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-9"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>May 20, 1999:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conyers,_Georgia" title="Conyers, Georgia">Conyers, Georgia</a>
Six students injured at Heritage High School by Thomas Solomon, 15, who
was reportedly depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-infoplease_39-10"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-infoplease-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>February 29, 2000:</b> Unidentified 6-year-old offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan" title="Michigan">Michigan</a> school shooting. 1 student fatality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>May 26, 2000:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Worth,_Florida" title="Lake Worth, Florida">Lake Worth, Florida</a> Lake Worth Middle School <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida" title="Florida">Florida</a> teacher Barry Grunow was fatally shot by his student, 13-year-old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Brazill" title="Nathaniel Brazill">Nathaniel Brazill</a>,
who had returned to school after being sent home at 1 p.m. by the
assistant principal for throwing water balloons. Brazill returned to
school on his bike with a 5 inch Raven and four bullets stolen from his
grandfather the week before. Brazill was an honor student. Grunow was a
popular teacher and Brazill's favorite.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>August 28, 2000:</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Arkansas" title="University of Arkansas">University of Arkansas shooting</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayetteville,_Arkansas" title="Fayetteville, Arkansas">Fayetteville, Arkansas</a>
At approximately 12:14 pm, Dr. John R. Locke, 67, Director of the
Comparative Literature Program was shot and killed in his office by
James E. Kelly, 36, a Comparative Literature PhD candidate who had
recently been dismissed from the program for lack of progress towards
his degree. Kelly shot Dr. Locke three times before taking his own life
in Dr. Locke's office after it was cordoned off by campus police.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-42">[42]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-43">[43]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-44">[44]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>September 26, 2000:</b> Darrel Johnson, 13, offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana" title="Louisiana">Louisiana</a> school shooting with 1 student fatality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>March 5, 2001:</b> Charles Andrew William, age 15, offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California" title="California">California</a> school shooting, 15 wounded 2 of which died.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>March 30, 2001:</b> Donald R. Burt Jr., age 18, offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana" title="Indiana">Indiana</a> school shooting with 1 student fatality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>September 24, 2003:</b> John Jason McLaughlin, age 15, offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota" title="Minnesota">Minnesota</a> school shooting with 2 student fatalities.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>February 2, 2004:</b> Unidentified offender in <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_DC" title="Washington, DC">Washington, DC</a> school shooting with 1 student fatality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[41]</a></sup></li>
<li><b>May 7, 2004:</b> Unidentified 17 year old offender in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland" title="Maryland">Maryland</a> school shooting with 1 student fatality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Davies_MurderBook_41-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings_in_the_United_States#cite_note-Davies_MurderBook-41">[</a></sup></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yeah, Columbine happened during this "assault weapon ban" how could that be? There oughta be a law, oh wait, there WAS!!!!!! Now those of you that discount HUMAN violence and evil in schools and that gun control is the answer let me ask you a simple question. WHERE in the HELL are the FEMALE shooters? Maybe my hillbilly, redneck, goat roper intelligence is skewed but are there ANY laws in the USA that allow males free and easy access to firearms that preclude females from the same access? I mean if guns are the problem and 50% plus of the population is female surely at least some of these mass killings would be done by girls? Oh,oh logic again! Every feminist in the world should either be jumping on my bandwagon or feeling tremendously slighted that their gender has not had the same success at killing that the males of society have been able to achieve in school killings! Really ladies don't be slighted because at a base level this comes down to men (boys) and some men's (boys) inability to be anything less than a cowardly pussy when they feel slighted. Oh, oh, my sensitivity is showing again! Maybe we should pass a law that all people regardless of gender over the age of 10 should have access to a vagina to limit human violence in the USA. Absurd? Hell yes, but argue on the statistics instead of emotional knee jerk reactions to tragedies such as Sandy Hook. Am I unaware of some gun control law that excludes females from purchasing or stealing the same weapons that Adam Lanza was able to acquire? Firearms that were LEGALLY purchased by his mother and NOT used in a criminal manner before this incident I might add! This is NOT about guns, this is about young men (boys) getting to a certain age and finding out that they are really NOT that special. This is difficult because they have been told their whole life that they ARE special.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do we need to have a discussion as to why HUMAN violence happens in this country? Yes we do! Do we need to start that discussion based on gun control? Hell NO! As a point of discussion on this issue let me offer a starting point from a LEADERSHIP position. When these tragedies happen why does the President of the United States give a press conference and feel the NEED of notes and a teleprompter? Cannot the supposed leader of the free world not speak from the heart without the security of notes and a teleprompter without being afraid of the political ramifications of what he may say? PATHETIC! Have we really become so hyper-sensitive, immature, lacking in mentally stability, and personal responsibility? Are we so afraid of media including social media,that we have to be that measured to discuss the issue and to offer in my opinion disgustingly fake emotion and commentary on gun control to make us feel we have addressed a problem that is not going away as long as we won't face the reality of what the base issue to a problem is?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Over 260 MILLION firearms in the USA were NOT used to commit any crimes on Friday December 14th 2012, but 3 were used to kill children in Connecticut that day. Does this deserve a nationwide discussion? Yep! Does that discussion need to start with limiting the FREEDOM of law abiding citizens of the USA and their ability to posses and responsibility use firearms? Absolutely not you retard,cracker,nerd,gay, leaf licking, hillbilly, pussy! If guns are the problem then when was the last time a mass shooting happened at a gun range, a gun show or an NRA convention? No these incidents USUALLY take place in a "GUN FREE ZONE". But, but, there was a law!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Prayers and strength to those that are victims of this terrible massacre in Connecticut. I could never imagine or empathize with your pain, nor could I ever logically think that a federal law could limit your exposure or placate your pain.That being said, in today's litigious society you just watch how many lawsuits will happen to try and remove this pain through huge monetary judgements.Disgustingly, every last child that died in Newton will be assigned a monetary value based on emotion and blame in the years to come through our legal system These kids were 6 and 7 years old but somehow society will assign them each a monetary value and in some instances cite "future" earnings to justify those "values".Those with the best legal counsel and most emotional juries will have children that had a higher value than those without. 1 year from now most of the world will no longer know the name of a single victim but 90% of the world will know the name of Adam Lanza. Yes, there are some problems to address, the answers to these problems will not be easy.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> What we do know is Adam Lanza was very intelligent, possibly a genius. Adam had a great command of mathematics and computers. Adam was raised in a family that the often unjustified EXCUSE of economic poverty was not an issue. Adam had some mental issues going back many years. Adam for whatever reason felt so worthless,was so angry, was so unhinged, that killing his mother, 5 other adults and 20 schoolchildren as well as himself was the BEST option he had last Friday in his mind. Yet the problem is guns and access to guns? REALLY? I mean REALLY?????</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> So go ahead and make a law, outlaw certain guns and certain magazines and think you have made a difference but when the next incident happens just remember that millions of law abiding citizens in this country have given up basic CONSTITUTIONAL rights just so we can keep from having a discussion about what really are the problems in the USA. At the same time do not be disappointed when organized crime, gangs and government factions including the police exert more power and control over law abiding citizens.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today's picture is of my 3 gorgeous daughters doing a pose they have done before as "Larry's Angels" at Amanda's wedding in Cabo San Lucas Mexico.Unfortunately they did not have their own firearms because of travel laws related to such. One of my favorites is of them years ago in camouflage gear posing for the same picture after a day of shooting on the ranch that I do not have on this computer. All of my girls were taught firearm safety and respect at a young age. They were also brought up with a respect for others, a sense of self worth, personal responsibility and work ethic. I do NOT worry about their ability to defend themselves, I DO worry about their future ability to do so!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today's YouTube music selection is a bit of lighthearted humor from Mac Davis. Yes, the song is a bit over the top, but I feel if more young men in today's society had this level of self worth we would not have as many instances as we witnessed last week. Thanks for hearing me out! </b></span></span><br />
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560685094632309114.post-8077967968685965082012-11-30T23:38:00.002-08:002012-11-30T23:38:49.696-08:00C.S.I. Cow scene Investigation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I prefaced <span style="font-size: large;">tonight's</span> blog post with <span style="font-size: large;">a picture on Facebook. I will also pre<span style="font-size: large;">warn you that tonight<span style="font-size: large;">'s post is a bit long, a whole lot painful but consumers say they want to know more about the beef production chain so here we go.</span></span> At the time I posted on Facebook I was really D and D (disgusted and discouraged). I have passed that stage a<span style="font-size: large;">s I post this</span> but I am still D and D (drunk and disappointed)<span style="font-size: large;">. This wonderful life I am able to lead is amazing. So many joys and <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">triumphs</span> an<span style="font-size: large;">d being able to work with and experience Mother Nature on a daily basis is truly a blessing. However, Mother Nature just like all of us ha<span style="font-size: large;">s her "off" days when things just don't go quite right. When I started this blog I made a promise to myself that I wanted to do 5 things. </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">1. Tell my story of what I do and connect with <span style="font-size: large;">beef consumers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Dispel some of the myths that sometimes circulate in the media about the beef cattle business.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Explain some of the things that go on on a commercial cattle ranch in daily activities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Share the joys that I witness but also be honest about some of the things that are reality but are not always <span style="font-size: large;">celebratory</span> or easy to face.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Have some fun and make others laugh.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HrO-zuFUeg6k5ciFGelX02BArnp1kfD-hNUi_o0ukBtg2Bp6jjMV2lyBpSyD_9t0r6x-ApKuxMQfhHJ4B6XwBLTGDHTrQCL7GfS2hAleuqbKQLCMQZ1AD7ZhlqVsdj5mto1DvQumwRE/s1600/11-30-12+006+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HrO-zuFUeg6k5ciFGelX02BArnp1kfD-hNUi_o0ukBtg2Bp6jjMV2lyBpSyD_9t0r6x-ApKuxMQfhHJ4B6XwBLTGDHTrQCL7GfS2hAleuqbKQLCMQZ1AD7ZhlqVsdj5mto1DvQumwRE/s320/11-30-12+006+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So let's try and hit all of those tonight except #5 because I just don<span style="font-size: large;">'</span>t think it is going to happen. Let's start with a picture <span style="font-size: large;">so as I explain this you have some reference points. Remember all pictures can be viewed in full size by clicking on them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So in this picture are two dead twin heifer calves. I am going to call the calf in the foreground with the white belly <span style="font-size: large;">"</span>Mary" for lack of a better name. I am going to call the calf in the back with the <span style="font-size: large;">afterbirth (placenta) still draped over her "Maria" again just as reference. Their mother is #7103W a cow I bought in 2010 <span style="font-size: large;">as a late fall cow/calf pair. She had raised a couple of pretty nice calves here <span style="font-size: large;">and oth<span style="font-size: large;">er than the fact that she is a fence breaching pain in my balls she was mostly <span style="font-size: large;">nondescript</span>. With travel plans next week I locked 7103 up in the corrals so she would not be wandering Franklin County while <span style="font-size: large;">I am away. I knew she was close to calving but even though the corral is a bit wet she had access to<span style="font-size: large;"> the <span style="font-size: large;">working shed and I had put a <span style="font-size: large;">big flush of straw in the <span style="font-size: large;">outside pen just in case she wanted it. You<span style="font-size: large;"> can see this in the background between the calves and the water tank. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixORYckIcE-Kws2TBhmus63e9ARHkLylHVmqrjuZKEoRYlOTWnKm28hGVgsObXqtuswL5MM3B18dHd4Lh7_txruYk_qfw5YKYIckDKymcaoHAHnUxG62CLM5McQbS9kr0m5GkfXwWIwAE/s1600/11-30-12+007+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixORYckIcE-Kws2TBhmus63e9ARHkLylHVmqrjuZKEoRYlOTWnKm28hGVgsObXqtuswL5MM3B18dHd4Lh7_txruYk_qfw5YKYIckDKymcaoHAHnUxG62CLM5McQbS9kr0m5GkfXwWIwAE/s320/11-30-12+007+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> <span style="font-size: large;">Once heifers have had their first calf and bec<span style="font-size: large;">o</span>me cows it is VERY rare for them to have dystocia (birthing issues) I had no reason to suspect that 7103 would have any problems. Even with twins, in mature cows unless there is <span style="font-size: large;">an ab<span style="font-size: large;">normal presentation in the birth canal they will usually do just fine on the<span style="font-size: large;">ir own. As I have mentioned though<span style="font-size: large;"> Mother Nature is not something that is always perfect and as much as she can bring pure joy to your soul, she can kick you straight in the heart from time to time. This afternoon as I checked on 7103 my heart sank. There she stood licking and nudging Mary while looking at me like maybe I could remedy the <span style="font-size: large;">tragedy</span>. I did quickly scale the fence just in case one of these calves happened to still have some life in them<span style="font-size: large;">. You would be absolutely amazed at some of the miracles I have witnessed in my lifetime in these cases but today that was not the case. As was once said by a very wise man "twins are just a bi<span style="font-size: large;">g damn</span> headache with 8 legs." A single good<span style="font-size: large;">, healthy and ali<span style="font-size: large;">ve calf is much preferred.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have had a great fall calving season. I moved my fall cows a bit later this year for a few reasons and was a bit nervous as we started but until today we were at 100%<span style="font-size: large;"> live calves and had just a few cows left to calve. On reflection I probably should have expected SOME type of loss coming as the law of averages rarely cheats on Mother Nature. Once I got over the <span style="font-size: large;">initial anger and frustration. I started what I always do and probably will do until the day I die. My Dad taught me 3 important lessons about calving season. 1. You rarely will save them all in a given calving season. 2. Be thankful that <span style="font-size: large;">you get to witness such special moments. 3. You CANNOT have living and breathing WITHOUT some dying and rotting. Harsh? Yes<span style="font-size: large;">. Real<span style="font-size: large;">? You better believe it!</span></span></span> I used to be depressed for <span style="font-size: large;">weeks o<span style="font-size: large;">ve</span>r every death. I am no<span style="font-size: large;">w</span> much better at dealing with it but I cannot get over trying to learn just went wrong and why? why? why? Like a 4 year old kid I just need to know WHY?????</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszjJFpWL2T5MzmO0CM8kqU0hhAvrV3MFe2RkoTjv_yuz1msdcbEt30SIdY1zBJEcRjpheNVg_bF2j-ZXcyHPyFTQhJhk5KQLAh13e0sjkGMlqCd2ArMqsTbuwnMim1ses2fUqIzuI0J4/s1600/11-30-12+001+(Medium).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszjJFpWL2T5MzmO0CM8kqU0hhAvrV3MFe2RkoTjv_yuz1msdcbEt30SIdY1zBJEcRjpheNVg_bF2j-ZXcyHPyFTQhJhk5KQLAh13e0sjkGMlqCd2ArMqsTbuwnMim1ses2fUqIzuI0J4/s320/11-30-12+001+(Medium).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So after looking at the <span style="font-size: large;">scene, exami<span style="font-size: large;">ning blood spots, calf position etc. here is what I came up with. Only God, Mother <span style="font-size: large;">N</span>ature and 7103 know for sure and they are all pretty secre<span style="font-size: large;">tive. I beli<span style="font-size: large;">eve <span style="font-size: large;">that Mary (the cleaned off cal<span style="font-size: large;">f)</span> came first but w<span style="font-size: large;">as</span> breech<span style="font-size: large;"> (backwards).<span style="font-size: large;"> I would guess that 7103 had some great difficulty expelling her and by the time she did it was already too late for her.<span style="font-size: large;"> Her position and twisted neck lead me to these conclusions. After bi<span style="font-size: large;">rthing Mary 7103 probably stood up and be<span style="font-size: large;">gan to lick her calf that was already dead but I can bet she tried and tried hoping that she would wiggle, blink and take a breath. At some point Maria (the afterbirth covered calf) made her way into the birth canal. 7103 probably didn't quite know what was happening but I can bet she laid back down and passed Maria fairly quickly through an already open birth canal just by natures process. Sadly, it is my belief that Maria was alive when she hit <span style="font-size: large;">the ground. I base this on the fact that <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> could see what looked to be evidence that she had <span style="font-size: large;">some respiration</span> for awhile before the afterbirth eventually smothered her. 7103 probably then stood back up and her sense of smell being very strong went back to licking Mary while Ma<span style="font-size: large;">ria tried to wiggle <span style="font-size: large;">free from her former home. Yes it would be easier to just think that both calves were stillborn but from my experience and evidence I doubt that was the case. Even though this does not save the calves somehow I feel better <span style="font-size: large;">feeling like I think I know what went wrong<span style="font-size: large;">. We have a few cows left to calve and if I happen to get a set of live twins I will try and graft one of them onto 7103 but the odds a<span style="font-size: large;">re pretty poor. I have to say relating this in print was <span style="font-size: large;">just as</span> painful <span style="font-size: large;">as</span> actually experiencing it live today but as I finish this post I had a passing thought that made me feel better. Maybe the guy that taught me so much about this business (Dad) lost <span style="font-size: large;">two calves recently</span> in that great big pasture in the sky <span style="font-size: large;">and really needed Mary and Maria to graft onto a couple of his cows. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Cowman You Tube music selection is once again from Matt Mason. I implore you no matter what your musical tastes to take a listen to this so<span style="font-size: large;">ng. In my opinion it is 3 minutes of pure genius.</span> I am just so impressed with his music and powerful lyrics. " I know lonesome like <span style="font-size: large;">a</span> desert knows th<span style="font-size: large;">e sand, I know heartache like the back of my hand, I know leavin<span style="font-size: large;">' like a river knows to run, I know goodbye like a bullet <span style="font-size: large;">knows</span> a gun<span style="font-size: large;">!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b> I know tonight<span style="font-size: large;">'s post was no<span style="font-size: large;">t the easiest thing to read but I often hear from people telling me how lucky I am to do what I do. I agree with them, I am VERY lucky, but sometimes to get some lucky, you gotta live through a little pain.</span></span> </b><b> </b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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Larry Olberding Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16821407430085877568noreply@blogger.com0