As the 2016 goat selling year comes to an end with the Banners & Backdrops sale this Saturday, I realize that I haven’t sold many wethers this year (less than 15 that were born here).  But, I didn’t kid out very many does, had a high percentage of doe kids (again) and then this fact crosses my mind as I am filling feeders (again) for buck prospects.  I have left the brains in several head (roughly the same # of wethers that I sold).  There are some really good prospects, some with really good pieces and some that are better than most but not as good as some.  I am anxious to get this set grown out.  I will keep a couple, sell all or part of a couple and sell the rest in the spring.  

Recently, I did see a wicked good set of young bucks.  Impressive.  

Speaking of feed, isn’t it odd how the price of a sack of feed rises rapidly when corn or beans go up in value.  But when corn & bean prices are down, as they have been all year, the price of a sack of feed seems to not go down.  It is an odd ratio that does not work in the consumer’s favor.  Kind of like gasoline and diesel.  

And on another note.  We survived the opening ceremonies contest.  The sophomore team was 1st and will compete at state in a couple of weeks.  It is fun watching a group of kids work together and improve their public speaking skills.  It is also cool to see a kid crater and then recover.  Our freshmen team had a girl vapor lock on her part.  Like a scrolling billboard, I saw the words leaver her mind right as she started.  We’ve all been there.  A moment of panic crossed her face.  She wanted a life jacket thrown to her, but it didn’t happen.  It was time to sink or swim.  And swim she did.  Did it cost her team?  Sure, in the short run.  But all six of those girls will remember this moment the rest of their lives.  I was proud how she recovered and proud how the group of girls handled it afterwards.  They will all be better for it in the long run.  They can compete again next year.  Hats off to all the kids.