Mixed up a bottle of Prohibit. It was obviously the newer mix as it didn’t turn the color of Mountain Dew. I wormed a pen of keeper doe kids with this stuff. Mentally, I don’t feel like it worked–the color wasn’t right and the doe kids didn’t act like it tasted as bad as it used to. Anytime, there is a drug, pesticide or wormer that works really well, seems like the FDA gets involved and changes stuff and it doesn’t work as good as it used to. Of course, I probably don’t work as good as I used to. Maybe that’s a mental deal also. Maybe some things hurt more than they used to.

Drove to Chilress, TX on Thursday to look at a combine. It wasn’t a bad drive. The landscape never really changed. From Fairview to Childress was like a box of crayons that somebody took all the good colors out and just left the six different colors of BROWN.

Winter is here. Ice on top of the tanks. The wethers are wearing multiple layers of blankets. The does are eating alfalfa. And the flies are dying. It will be dark when I leave the house of a morning and dark when I get home. After chores are done, my evenings will consist of listening to the Dragon Lady grip at Duke to get homework done and watching movies. I don’t go to a movie theater very often, every couple of years or so. But I do have some all-time favorites.

10–Forrest Gump

9–Caddyshack

8–Tommy Boy

7–Lord of the Rings–the whole trilogy, the first movies that were as good as the book.

6–Big Jake, The Cowboys, True Grit (the original), etc.–anything John Wayne.

5–Hangover or Animal House

4–Star Wars–All of them

3–The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

2–Shawshank Redemption–it only comes on TBS about twice a month.

2A–Lion King

1A–Lonesome Dove–better have a while for that one.

1–Blazing Saddles–this one gets funnier the older I get.

During the month of December, I am also apt to watch Christmas Vacation about 20 times and The Christmas Story everytime it comes on. I also don’t miss Rudolph–the claymation version-when it comes on.

I’ve been reading some of the posts on breeder’s world involving the Texas majors and how to handle rule breakers. They have had some people wanting to get CPS involved, ( for you hog heads, that isn’t the Certified Pedigreed Swine, it is Child Protective Services). Somebody else brought up animal rights groups. Without a doubt, we don’t need anything remotely tied to the government brought into stock shows. They have enough problems of their own. If they can’t manage their own problems, why do we want them involved with ours. We have been fairly lucky to not have much animal rights involvement in OK. And we need to keep it that way. We all get frustrated with some of our shows, but if we have any gov’t or animal rights involvement, it will be more screwed up than obama’s checkbook.

Its been kind of interesting to read and relate it back to Oklahoma. I don’t think that we have near the problems here, that they do in Texas. Neither Tulsa or OYE are perfect, but they are not bad shows. We’ve been tested at OYE, Tulsa, Denver, Kansas City and Phoenix with no problems. Phoenix is by far the most aggressive. They pull blood at the ring. I’m all for testing, as long as it is competent people in charge of the procedure and the protocol. It could always be worse, we could deal with Denver year in and year out.

I have noticed that there are way more responses to any posts that I make which are somewhat negative or argumentative. I guess this would go along with today’s news media. If there isn’t some “shock” value, nobody cares. I’ve even had texts and phone calls after a couple of days of “calm” posts asking for the sour Kelln that is pissed at somebody.

Well, today isn’t your day. I had a phone call from some of my favorite Americans’. I’m not sure if they are great, yet. But they are dang sure on my favorites list. Rusty and Marla Thomas in Fairview, OK. If you have met them, you have already chuckled or said “Oh, S#t!” To give you a short history lesson, they had a daughter named Makeitha that showed wethers for me. She won the OK state fair in ’06, had a div. champ at Tulsa, had a div. champ at Enid with a Slater goat, won some jackpots and I never had over $250 to spend on her goats. Marla is cajun and can COOK!!! Rusty is redneck and can “Get Bent!” with the best of ’em. These people will do anything to help anybody. They don’t have a lot of money, but they will help anybody, anywhere. Young or old. Anything that they have is yours, if you need it. And you don’t have to ask. Like myself, all they know is how to work hard and play hard. But they do it well.

I took Rusty with me one summer on a Texas tour. He is better at fetching than a well trained dog. But he can get a little bit sideways. Thompson, Allen Miller, Poe and Staats are still telling stories about Rusty. Fred and Gosney can tell even more stories about him and his younger brother “Slick”. Lex Lehmberg still asks why I don’t bring that guy anymore. Anyways, Rusty just got home from striper fishing this afternoon so he is in a REAL good mood. Duke and Hunter went trick or treating at their house. They gave the whole bag of candy to Hunter and Duke. Typical. Rusty is very good at giving candy to Duke and getting him plum wound up.

Marla can do a shrimp boil–said “bawoill” better than anybody in OK. Rusty has taught me terms like Wing Ding, French Hobbler, Brown Nose Pups and Maytag. The latter term might be my favorite. On the previous mentioned Texas trip, Rusty kept referring to somebody as “Maytag”.

Allen Miller finally took the bait, and asked, “Who the heck is Maytag?”

Rusty responded, “Marla”.

Allen asked, “Why do you call your wife Maytag?”

To which, Rusty replied “Because she is an agitating sum-bitch!” Allen still has mental scars from that trip. Not all Rusty’s fault.

I’ve had Rusty and Marla cook at the house, the lake and at Shattuck. I would bet that you will see them at future goat events in NW Oklahoma. If I say that we are eating cajun, you better come running, as it will be good and it will be a LARGE time.

I’ve been a little busy the past four or five days and didn’t get time to dispense quality info on this little blog deal. Had the honor of judging a PI opening ceremonies contest last thursday evening. They had two very good judges to offset me. The top end of this contest was very good. Close call on the top couple of teams. Hopefully, the team from Garber will do very well at the state contest. They have an impressive set of speakers on this team.

Dragon Lady went to Stillwater on Friday to go do the walk around deal with Kela. Duke and I stayed home and worked show animals. We weighed and walked hogs, then watched the Cardinals win the world series. Duke and I got up Sat. morning and met Ronnie Swigart in town. We then made it to Stillwater for Homecoming. We had a rather large time. This was the first time all season that I thought the Pokes looked like a top 5 team. Either that, or Baylor still sucks. Kela’s sorority won all of the homecoming crap. She was excited. I’m glad that our money is at least being used to win something that won’t matter on a resume. Hmm.. kind of like showing.

I’ve been amazed at how many people have called the past couple of days wanting to know when OYE nominations are due. 1–I thought everybody had access to the internet. 2–I would have thought that ag teachers would have been ordering nomination kits before now. 3–In case you don’t know, nominations are due Nov. 3. 4–No, we don’t have any extras. I do still have some goats at the house that are waiting to go to their new homes before Nov. 3. Nothing like waiting till the last minute.

Nominations and entries are due this week for several shows. By the time we paid for entering hogs, goats and showmanship for Phoenix, nominations for OYE and entries for Lone Star Elite, we could have bought another goat. Not to mention motel rooms, etc. Oh well. After pulling hair for several DNA tests, some of these goats might be wishing they had the hair back now that it is colder.

you’re tired, worn out from work, sick of checking animals and just have a sour opinion of a lot of things. Times like these are not a good time to post on a blog. Have a good day.

One of the most discussed (cussed) issues of showing livestock is the judges. Some people (shows included) don’t understand why it is important to know who the judge is before the animals are bought. Some think if you don’t know, you can’t try to play politics. This is way off.

It is good to know because every judge likes different things. Just as some people are attracted to blondes and others brunettes, judges have their preferences. Some coaches like to run the ball and others prefer to pass. Some people like country music, while others like to rock out. Some judges prefer a larger animal while others prefer a given weight. Some prefer muscle while others prefer structure. When buying show stock it is important to know who is judging your target show.

Politics is what most people complain about on judges. I think most of the shows are judged fairly and unbiased. But it is frustrating when an obvious political placing happens and it causes a lot of questions. Sometimes, some of the placings aren’t political, but because it is a well known showman, it seems that way. Sometimes, in a close placing, judges will place an animal higher because of showmanship and the outstanding presentation of a given animal.

What makes a good judge?

1–Timeliness. A judge should start on time and move through classes in a consistent manner. Give every animal a good look or two. The longer a judge takes, the more disagreeable spectators become. If there is no doubt how the animals need placed, place them. If they need to take a minute or two to study a close class, study them. A judge should also always double check all of their placings before finishing a class. All of us have missed one before, this helps stop that.

2–Reasons. Describe the main points as to why that animal is winning and what could be changed. Tell why the 1st place beats 2nd. Make the reasons fit the animal. Don’t lie to me and tell me things about my animal that aren’t true. Some judges are so good at reasons that they can make you see their point, even when you don’t agree. Some need practice.

3–Courteous. A judge should be courteous to the showman, ring help and the crowd. It is the judge’s opinion that day, but the people involved are way more important.

4–UN-political. Most judges will know somebody at the show that they are judging. That is part of it. But if they don’t have the right one, don’t use them. If it is close, fine. Do what you gotta do.

5–Consistent. I don’t have to agree with a judge as long as I understand why the animals are placed the way they are. When a judge gets to the division champion, breed champion, and especially the grand drive, the animals should look similar in style, balance, structure and muscle. A judge should have a pattern of what his/her ideal animal looks like and should pick animals that come close to fitting that pattern. This can be hard to do at smaller shows, but should be easy at the larger shows.

This year at Tulsa and OYE, I thought the wether judges were very good in terms of time. They placed every class within in about 20 minutes. They started on time and finished in good time. We weren’t there late getting done. Their reasons fit the animals. I didn’t have to see the final placing to know what animals were used in a given class. I could follow their reasons. They were both very courteous to all involved. Tulsa judge actually told every kid that placed what he liked and disliked about their animal. There hasn’t been anybody crying foul in terms of politics. They were both very consistent at the top end of their classes. Some divisions didn’t have their exact pattern, but they found good goats. They were also consistent in the pattern of animals used compared to previous shows that they had judged.

I liked showing to both judges and they use a different kind of goat. OYE judge puts more emphasis on chest floor, ribcage and muscle. He tolerates more structure issues if the animal has the right pieces that he is looking for. Tulsa judge puts more emphasis on structural correctness, balance and length. He will give up muscle to get the total package. Both judges used goats that were finished correctly with a show ring look and enough bone. They have similarities, but they use different types. At both shows, when we got to the grand drive, it was evident what goats they were going to use to win. Because they had been consistent throughout the show as to what they were looking for in a good one. At OYE, I had to explain to Duke before the grand drive that he was not going to win. He didn’t like that, but he was fine with it when we told him Mercy was going to win. His reply, “Okay. Cool. She is a senior.” Tulsa was a little different.

I enjoy watching good livestock. A judge is like an umpire or a referee. They are in charge, but when the show is over, it isn’t about them. It is about good kids and good animals. If a judge is timely, talks good reasons, is courteous, un political and consistent, then they did their job. I don’t need to agree with a judge, I just need to understand why they did what they did.

Are all livestock people good judges. No. Just because somebody can breed one doesn’t mean that they can judge. Some have a good eye, but can’t talk them. Some don’t like pressure. Some are too radical in the type that they like. Some are too political. Some people just aren’t a good judge, but because they have a title, they get asked to judge. Some should have been steered towards wood shop or band, because livestock judging just doesn’t fit them. Just as not everyone can hit a baseball, not everyone can judge livestock. Appreciate the good ones when you see them.

The National FFA Convention just completed this past weekend with several Okies having success. Tanner Miller from Mulhall-Orlando won a national proficiency award for his small animal project. He raises dogs. A lot of people in the Oklahoma goat world know Tanner and his family. Really good people. In 2007, Tanner brought a corgi puppy to the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Kela carried that dog around for two days. Finally, I agreed to let her buy it. That puppy is Sasha, our family dog.

Sasha is in charge of ranch security, chasing cats, chaperoning Duke on his adventures in the pastures, riding the four wheeler and chasing wethers as they are being exercised. She also keeps the place clean as she loves to eat hoof pieces when trimming hooves and the horn caps when I burn horns.

Congrats to Tanner and his family on their win. His win means that Sasha comes from a national champion program.

Halloween is getting close and we are constantly dressing our wethers up. Dealing with blankets on wethers is a pain in the rear this time of year. It is 40 degrees of a morning so they need blankets, by 10 am they need one canvas, and then by one they don’t need anything on. It is a judgement call what to do each morning. Whether to go ahead and strip them, or leave one on for awhile. It won’t be long and they will be wearing several all day, every day.

Got a report that Tyke has been trying to carve pumpkins. I’ve got to go to Shattuck tonight, I’ll see if we can get pics of his pumpkins. Hopefully, he has help. My brother is cooking catfish and calf fries this evening. It should be entertaining.

Lots of rumours about the price tag of Schoovy’s grand wether at Tulsa. Fact is, that goat was lot #1 in Bob Allen’s June sale and cost $1,300. For those of you that don’t see numbers well, that was One Thousand Three Hundred Dollars. If he would have been a March born instead of a February, Izzy would have made us spend more than that. They do NOT have a $20,000 wether, nor have I or Thompson ever bought a $20,000 wether. It is kind of spooky how quickly rumours can get going and they are always started by people that should just shut up and put some effort into their own wethers, then they wouldn’t be jealous of those winning.