First of all, the Tulsa market show is over.  I am happy.  One, because I only have to go back to Tulsa one more time.  Two, I ate at Tally’s two times this week.  I would bet that I hit breakfast there on Sunday AM.  I am really happy with Lexi Vanderwork and her showmanship skills.  Without a doubt, I would take her and give you the field as to who the BEST wether showman was at Tulsa.  No, she did not compete in the showmanship contest.  She didn’t need to.  Anybody that watched the show saw how she stuck her pair of wethers.  She didn’t do bad with that pair.  She had res. div. 4 with a Pullan wether that we bought private treaty and was a bit skinny–my kind.  Then she won div. 5 with a Schneberger wether that was bought at the Helms/Book sale after the Lone Star Elite.  That wether ended up 3rd overall.  He is a double bred 1315 and if I’m not mistaken, Jared has a flush-mate brother with the nuts in him.  I was hoping that she could win it all, but that was a good pair of wethers that were grand and reserve.  They fit the pattern that the judge was looking for.  Slayton Strube was the judge.  He was consistent, thorough and timely in his placings.  He will judge more and should. 

The numbers at Tulsa were down, as they should be.  The premium sale has been “off” for several years now.  And the numbers verified it.  I wouldn’t take a good little one and risk losing him at this point because it is hard to replace one.  

I enjoyed watching the sheep grand drive.  Congrats to Kamden Urban on his grand wether lamb.  I loved thinking what his legendary dad would have had to say about it all. 

One of the happiest thoughts of a livestock breeder is when emptying pens.  When you sell a really good wether, your gut tightens just a bit as you begin to have thoughts.  Thoughts like I hope that this goat brings his value.  Then if it sells HIGH, you HOPE that it is going to a good feeder, I hope that it turns out good, I hope….    On the other hand, when you load a trailer full of shitters that are headed to the sale barn, you are in a great mood once they are loaded.  No more feed bill!  At that point, I don’t care what they bring, I just want them gone.  But, this is the best part, the sale barn check is ALWAYS more than I hoped for.  I know that I can sound like a negative person at times.  But, when it comes time to emptying pens, I get kind of giddy.  

We are going to stop this deal right now.  I smell pork chops, mac & cheese and ranch beans.  Time for the fat kid to eat.  I’m out.  

Wait, one last thing.  There is a hurricane coming towards Florida and the east coast…if you live there, get OUT the way!  Don’t do that Katrina deal and wait to see what happens.  And if you are reading this blog for your hurricane warnings….well, on second thought, you better stay put, right at your home computer and wait to see what gets written on here tomorrow or the next day.  Good luck and prayers for those about to get afflicted by that storm.