I don’t think it was the Chinese that hacked the site this time.  Maybe it was that kim jong un.  Yeah, he and Dennis Rodman.  Actually, I think I had squirrels in my computer…and in my phone…and every form of telematics device from which I tried to log in to this lovely website.  Anyways, we’re back.

     Between my other job, chasing pigs and doing chores in the dark–am & pm–it’s been a little hectic.  In other words, not much time for me to get myself into trouble.  Speaking of time, the breeding season is upon us.  Rumour stands at the gate with this look like–“Next”.  He’s actually pretty vocal about it.  He’s a bit of a screamer.  I’m like Dude, you’re an addict.  On the other hand, Dirt is on the other side of the corall, in a pen, just waiting. Quietly. Then its ike an assembly line, send em.  Law & Order is seeing some action and SRL is fired up and ready. 

     I’ve been dealing with a crew of boys in class that are kind wearing some teachers out.  They just don’t like the academic part of school.  But they will work.  I don’t worry about them later in life as they will do anything to get out of book work.  It wears out some academic teachers that complain to me about these boys.  I kind of hate to tell some of these teachers that these boys already make more in a year working afterschool, weekends and summers than a lot of teachers.  I don’t worry about anybody that will work.  You can be stupid and work hard and make it in life.  You can be smart and lazy and make it in life.  But you CANNOT be stupid and lazy and make it.  This is a fact.    

      I guess that it is time to go show somewhere.  I need to get off here and check calendars for a show to go to.  

Have a good day, a better tomorrow and I wish all of you nothing but horseshoes and shamrocks.  Stay flexible, but not limp.  Over and out.   

I’m currently on the great Southwest hog hunt. Not doing much treating, just tricking myself into thinking hogs don’t smell that bad. I saw a Facebook post regarding a drag show. Just what do drag queens dess up as for Halloween? My lovely bride texted me a pic of herself dressed up as a witch. I replied “Isn’t that your everday attire?” Judging from her response, I don’t think that she found the humor. Have a good one & remember to roll clocks back in the morning.

     This post could be a Why NOT to do some things.  Such as my thoughts of Why a banner pic should just be the kid, the animal and the judge–no breeders, parents, helpers or friends–UNLESS it is a really special occasion–like a Sr. year after a really good career. 

     But not tonight.  This post is about the “Why” we do this.  It is NOT about the dollars.  None of us got in this game to make stupid money.  But greed can get in the way.  Don’t get me wrong, I like to cash a fat check.  But there is a time and a place for that.  

      Let’s rewind to the early 80s.  My stock show career began as a pig project for myself with my Dad’s help.  Not many dollars were spent on my show projects, but I learned a pile about animal nutrition, work ethic, genetics (“that pig is sired by Larry Brady’s Harry boar, he has a chance”), how not to do some things, how to ask for help from those that know more than us and in the end, I learned a lot about life, livestock and myself.  

      As part of my education, I was “forced” to show a couple of sheep.  That was a bad year.  But if I wanted a steer, I had to show those two D (insert D word here ) sheep in order to get a steer.  That wasn’t fun.  But I got a steer the next year.  We didn’t know how to clip, fit or grow hair, but Dad dang sure knew how to feed a steer.  Judging from the beef in my freezer, he still does.  Over the next couple of years, I showed some really good steers that were all locally grown.  We had success.  

      I made premium sales at OKC and Tulsa with hogs and steers.  Not big wins, but considering budget and lack of “show ring” knowledge, we did well.  After several years of teaching ag, I got to looking around at the succesful ag teachers in any given species.  Guess what?  They were all kind of like me.  Had a taste of success, but not many big wins.  Basically, it was kind of like a carpentry class.  Yep, you better have a foundation first and then build from there.  That’s where I was lucky.  Dad and I built a foundation on proper livestock nutrition, selection, care, reproduction, genetics, etc.  He still practices sound livestock management with his cows.  Sometimes, but not often, I keep one because I cashed a fat check.  I have given parole to a couple of does, but not many.  It’s usually because “according to her mom and grandma, she should be better than that”.  I still won’t keep an unproductive, non-maternal doe if she gets me twice.  Sale barn bound.

      Now, I am way deep into this livestock game.  My first-born got me into this goat game, even though she had success with hogs, chickens and had a really nice cow herd. Then, this last-born offspring drug me back into the hogs and now he has a few cows to go along with these goats. Throw in a few dogs that aren’t mine and I always have some kind of animal thing going around this piece of paradise.  On occassion, I walk around in a foul mood (rarely), normally after dealing with does, and I look around and think “Dang, I could have a really killer dispersal sale.”  Then I remember WHY I do this in the first place.  

      The future.  That’s it.  That’s why.  The future are kids.  Everything about the stock show game is about raising the next generation to understand why we need livestock.  Sure, the end product is meat.  But kids need to know sound livestock management in order to make the livestock productive AND profitable. We all sometimes confuse the productive and profitable part.  They AREN’T the same.  Just because old tag # whatever cow/sow/doe raised a high seller does NOT make her productive.  She might be profitable, but she could be passing on some poor maternal traits that will take years to breed out.    

      We need to be teaching/preaching/professing whatever it takes, to promote sound livestock practices that promote a better generation–humans and livestock.  Sometimes there should be a cost for an education.  But other times, as adults, breeders, etc.  we just need to realize that it is best to pass it on, pay it forward or do the old bible school lesson.  Yep, the Golden Rule–Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you.  Just help a kid out and wait.  Wait to see what happens.  Kind of like no-till triticale seed.  It might take a little bit longer than desired, but then there it is.  It’s all good.  

      And as breeders, we need to be able to work with other breeders to share genetics.  It doesn’t have to ALWAYS be about cashing a check.  Trade breedings, share flushes, whatever.  Be progressive. Don’t worry about it.  Just think about what you would be willing to do if it could help your own kids.  It will all come full circle. It’s an investment.  An investment in kids, an investment in building a future in the business and simply building an investment in the future of people understanding what we do.  It’s better to cash 10 checks for 10 years than to cash that big one this year.  

      I don’t know if this post is worth 2 squirts of owl $h!t, but while typing it, George, Cinderalla, Waylon, AC/DC and Shakira all played on the iTunes.  Maybe I need to keep typing.  Oh NO!  Now, we are in trouble–the Foo Fighters just cranked up on the speakers.  In the past couple of hours until present time, I have had “maybe the most progressive breeder in OK” at my  house, a parent that absolutely gets it call about items not concerning goats, another one text and an email from one that is just trying to do better up north.  I love it.  

      I am waiting on the opportunity to be in some pics.  But those kids aren’t seniors yet.  I’ve got time and when the time is right, I’ll blend into the background, right where they can crop me out of the picture.  Have a good day, a better tomorrow and help others.  Thanks to those that already do.  

      I’m getting to where I don’t want to see the mail.  Every other day is some sort of doctor bill from Duke’s broken wrist.  And I thought that we had good insurance.  Monday’s bill was only $21.76, which compared to the rest of the bills should have add another zero or so.  It adds up in a hurry.  

     I like athletics, but there isn’t much return on investment for purchase of equipment, shoes, etc. and dr. bills.  At least these show animals have a chance of making money.  

     Looks like the 2014 goat selling season is pretty much over.  Not many wethers left anywhere.  Some are hunting bucks.  We aren’t far from the next crop of kids hitting the ground and then the cycle starts all over.  

Why not?

That’s why!

     Quite possibly my favorite day.  It doesn’t matter if I am working in the private sector (making $), as a public servant(not much $ but….WTF was I thinking) or for just working for myself (Oh, how I miss May -July of 2014), Thursday is probably my favorite day.  Why? Well, most road trips start on Thursday evening.  We are real close to the weekend.  You can feel it.  Only one more day till the weekend.  I can make it.  Yes, I can see the end.  And then there is the CHIVE and “Things that bounce Thursday”.  I like that deal.  Think Jim Carrey in Dumb & Dumber–“I like it a lot!”

      Now this Thursday was different.  I had good reports from KC.  Braden was res. grand overall showman.  That is good, real good.  I don’t know who was grand, don’t care, but I will take Braden against the field everyday of the week and twice on Thursday.  Then he won div. 1 wether with a Helms goat.  Lexi Vanderwork was res. div. 1 with another Helms goat.  Chesley Comstock won a class with a doubled up Joe Dirt wether and then won another class with an Ernie goat.  Good day.  The only way it could have been better is if I would have been there.  

      Got chores done and made it into the house.  Clicked on the interenet, then the chive and scrolled down. Yep, DAR, oh my–things that bounce and then, RUSM?!–Vote for your favorite Chris Farley T- Shirt design.  Those bouncy things can wait!  I’ve got to look.  OH MY!  Some of these aren’t worth 2 squirts of duck $h!T.  But some are absolute genius. We (ME) are huge Chris Farley fans at this house.  I woke the house up laughing at the Chippendale’s dance off with he & Patrick Swayze on SNL.  I will argue that the “Chippendales try-out” is the funniest thing EVER aired on TV.  Patrick Swayze is a classicly trained dancer with the body of a Greek god.  And Farley, well, he doesn’t look good in dancekins, but he could move.  The night I watched him dance as the Lunch Lady–just wrong. Tommy Boy is possibly the funniest movie of ALL time.  Pick a line–Fat guy in a little coat, Guarantee (abrv), that’ll leave a mark, Richard, what’d you do?, etc.  

      On occasion, when I can get the VCR remote to work and I have time and I need a better attitude, then I stick a SNL greatest hits of Chris Farley into the machine.  And I laugh until I cry.  I can recite the lines, but it is funny EVERY time I watch it.  This dude made Will Ferrell, David Spade and Adam Sandler laugh.  

     When I have a buck named Farley or Tommy Boy, you will know that I have a great one.  

      Are they really worth a 1,000 words or a thousand $s?  Yes and Yes.  But it still depends on the seller.  I can personally give you accounts of both sides of the story.  Look at Joe Dirt’s semen prices.  He doesn’t set the world on fire.  Why? Because there isn’t a good picture of him and at this point in his career, who needs one?  His track record compares favorably to most wether bucks in the industry.  But there isn’t a pic.  I can tell you what to breed him to, what to protect him on and still…..It is what it is.  

      Now, if you get a fancy pic of a new young buck (unproven), that picture will help you sell semen.  This is not a Kelln opinion.  It is fact.  So, yes, a picture can be worth thousands of $s.  I do believe that honest pictures are important in marketing livestock.  

      But, a breeder’s words should be worth more than the picture.  For example, Duke has a set of barrows on feed.  All 5 came from the same breeder.  All 5 were bought sight unseen.  An accomplice looked at a couple of them for me and he steered me in the right direction.  I talked to the breeder about the hogs.  He point blank told me, “I wouldn’t feed that hog for that show.  If my kids were going, then I would feed this one.”  My reply, “Then that is the one that I want.”  So far, he looks to be correct.  

     My point is that it is in the breeder’s best interest to be truthful and give their best advice.  Ask them.  If they are reputable and have a proven track record, they can head you in the right direction.  Even honest pics can lie to a person and give you a warm fuzzy feeling.  Kind of like peeing in a pool.  Yeah, you feel relief, but now you are swimming in your own piss.  

     I realize that I can be a little “harsh” to deal with, but I won’t head you down the wrong road.  Most breeders want to help and do right.  I want to cash a check, but I would rather cash a check every year instead of just once.  I do believe that most breeders think the same way.  

     Here’s to the Schovanec’s, Vanderwork’s and Comstock’s who are in KC without me.  All I can say is, “Lee,Schoovy and the kids, PLEASE don’t let let Scott Comstock do anything that I wouldn’t do.  Keep him calm.  Good luck and have fun.  

There wasn’t many items that I truly missed about teaching. But when of the things that I did miss was the numerous trips to Stillwater. Especially, since Kela graduated, I haven’t had many reasons to make it to the best town in Oklahoma. On this fine morning, I find myself sitting at the hotel, waiting to go compete on campus. Last night was fine outdoors dining at Eskimo Joe’s. Of course, the waiter had to bring lots of iced tea. Hopefully, later in the day, the Hideaway will be on the menu. Have a good day and a better tomorrow.

     Remember that bull?  The semen got really high, then his calves showed up and the semen got real cheap.  

Actually, Dirt and Rumour have been standing around thinking that it is About Time for me to open the gates and let them have some action.  Their day is rapidly approaching.  I have waiting to get to the last week of March before starting to kid.   That way we are completely done with OYE and will actually be around when kids start dropping.  

       You mean that a blog is supposed to be a daily deal?  Not here it ain’t.  The terms out-of-time, un-inspired and SOL come to mind.  Although, I do realize that my last post was the past Friday and it might have had something to do with Motley Crue.  

      Yes.  It was LOUD!!    Real LOUD!!   What?  Have I ever said, “If it’s too loud, then you’re too loud.”?  Yes.  Yes, I have.  And I still mean it.  But, this was loud.  However, Yes.  Alice Cooper and the Crue put on a show.  Both bands were way good.  Vince Neil isn’t as good as he was in ’91, but by using proper “showmanship”, they managed to let him hit the highlights, then hid the rest.  Other than that, the Crue still rocks.  Great show.   

      I don’t have much else (not true) other than I saw a guy from the Old Country(Shattuck) at the concert.  He was in charge of distribution of products for some Anhowsyour company.  This dude could & did throw a wicked baseball back in the day.  There was a taxi cab ride after the concert.  (the driver shut the meter off for most of the tour and I quote in a middle eastern accent, “I never have nobody buy me supper at McDonald’s.  This crazy.  I no charge  you for this.  This big fun.  But why you order 14 cheeseburgers?”)   All I know is that, last Friday night/early Saturday AM, not many hungry people in the out-skirts of Bricktown of OKC.  If you have questions, direct inquiries to Brandon The Bruce of Mutual.  

       Yes, it was fun.  No laws were broken.  Nobody got hurt.  Yes, I would do it again. My accomplices would too.  Looking back from ’91 to now…..ohh, oww, somewhere, I got old.  Then, I came home and sold a butt-load of goats this weekend.  I just wish that I would have had more to sell.  

      O, I have more thoughts of the goat industry.  But those will have to wait.