I just got back from the 11th annual North Dakota Feedlot Tour, hosted by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and the North Dakota Feeder Council. We saw four new beef feedlots in central North Dakota: Klein Simmental Ranch, Hurdsfield, N.D. Dockter Land and Cattle, Denhoff, N.D. Raugust Whitetail Ranch, Harvey, N.D. Heitman Feedlot, Harvey. N.D. Young producers are involved in all of the operations. Building new feedlots or expanding…

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Two weeks ago I was riding with University of Nebraska Extension educator, Scott Cotton, headed up Deadhorse Road southwest of Chadron. Scott took me into the heart of what was the West Ash Fire late last summer, and he described the tumultuous days of the wildfires in that region and how ranchers, emergency personnel and firefighters coped with extreme challenges. It wasn’t a pretty picture, and the most disheartening for many long time Pine Ridge ranchers is that their beautiful…

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There are times when an affliction comes upon you quick - like a bad dinner. There are other things that bloom slowly in a person but when fully realized create fantastic possibilities in your mind. Really. For me the slow-growing but thoroughly captivating addition is the farm show. Perhaps it's because I kind of like crowds - even on a hot day in May Disney World can be fun as long as you realize where you are and that all of the people you're with are really there to have a…

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To promote Ag Expo each year, I draw from my archived photos from year's past. In doing so, I came across several photos I'd taken of kids… including several of my own children. I've gone to Ag Expo, every year for probably the last 15 years, and each year my girls would ask to go as the official assistant photographer. I would go at least two of the three days, so I would spend one day with Emily and then one with Elizabeth. Bringing them both on the same day was not…

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As my family drives down Interstate 70 heading west toward Sedalia, my mind races. Did I remember to pack the blower, clippers, spray adhesive, wool cards, sheep coats, buckets, feeders, health papers, and registration papers? And that is just for the sheep bedded down in the stock trailer. The show season is in full swing. Whether your child shows cattle, swine or sheep, as a livestock show mom (or dad) this is the time of year you long for. The countless hours you spent in the barn…

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It's mid-June and Iowa farmers are still trying to get their intended soybean acres planted, but time is running out. For corn, many have already thrown in the towel. Mother Nature hasn't been helping out as thunderstorms roll through again every time the remaining fields get almost dry enough to plant. As of June 9 statewide Iowa still had 40% of its intended 2013 soybean acreage yet to be planted. The deadline to plant soybeans was June 15 to receive full crop insurance…

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I ran errands the other day, partly for the magazine and partly for the farm. I used my newer truck because I had to drop off the van to get an oil change, so my daughter, who usually drives the truck (she thinks it's hers but she needs to look at the title very closely!) picked me up on her way to watch nursery at Bible School. I dropped her off and took off on my errands from there. While waiting to pick her up and go back for the van, I happened to notice the variety of items I…

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If you thought FFA membership was declining due to fewer farms and a lack of support for ag programs at high schools around the state, you would be wrong on both counts. According to Jeff Hicken, state FFA adviser with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, membership hit a 29-year high this year in Wisconsin with 19,000 FFA members. And if you were anywhere near the Alliant Energy Center in Madison June 10-13, you may have noticed a sea of blue and gold jackets. That's…

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As many know, last week was the 25th Anniversary of the World Pork Expo, which I made the trip up from Kansas City to attend. While the Expo is known for its PORK Academy and business seminars, numerous pork products, and over 400 exhibitors from across the globe, what has also risen in popularity is the Expo's Junior National Show. This is following a national trend. I'll admit my background is fairly limited. It wasn't until l lived in eastern Iowa, near Washington County…

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With this planting season that never ends we move into postemergence spraying season and it appears that's going to drag on too as you sneak out between rainstorms to control weeds. Talked with a weed scientist yesterday who says his phone has been ringing off the hook with weed questions, herbicide choice questions and spray drift questions. When the weather is dry, no matter the conditions, it appears we're loading up an going, and what choice do you have? As noted at…

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