This little vacation called OYE has begun.  I made a quick trip home to fill feeders, tend stock and reload.  The gilt and doe show is done.  Well pleased with Kaylee Holt and her reserve champion Berkshire gilt.  She put on a showmanship clinic while winning this banner.  This was also the champion bred & owned Berk gilt.  This gilt should bring a pile in the gilt sale on Tuesday night.  Congrats to the Holt family on raising another good set of pigs and even better kids.

The doe show is over.  Real pleased with Carli Word and her efforts to have the reserve division 3 doe.  This doe won one of the deepest classes of does that I’ve ever seen.  And she won that class easy.  Judge took a long time on this class then went to the mic and said, “I can move the 2nd doe to 5th and the 4th to 3rd and move several others around but at no time did I ever consider putting that 1st place doe anywhere but 1st.”  Congrats to Carli and her family and ending the senior year on a positive note.  Now, Carli & Amy can start raising some baby goats.

As I get off of here, I am leaving to venture back to OKC.  This is Duke’s last show and Tammy and I’s last show as stock show parents.  Some are not ending their careers on positive notes.  Some are sad that the end is near.  We are ending just as we started, as a family and with goals in mind and in sight.  However this week ends, it will be good.  No matter what, he gets a scholarship on Thursday night at the Grand Drive.  Who would have thought?

It is the Kelln national holiday–St. Patrick’s Day!  Behave, ( I have to) eat a blarney stone and wear some green.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

Online sales have evolved over the past decade+.  In the beginning, it was “I’m not buying anything unless I’ve seen it.”

Then it became, “I’m not buying anything unless I trust the breeder.”

Next, “Did you see those pictures?”

Then, “So and so saw that and told me what they looked like.”

And now, I would say that it is a combination of all of the above.  You should see the animal.  If you can’t, you should be able to trust a breeder or somebody that has seen the animals.  You should be able to judge an animal from the pics.

And then there are online semen sales.  As a whole, I would say that these are like the items near the checkout in a grocery store or a quick stop.

While you are standing there waiting, hey, look a Reese’s Easter egg.  Cool, I’ll buy two. You didn’t go in the store to buy any Reese’s but there they were and the impulse kicked in and you just had to buy some.  I’m guilty.    I like those Reese’s Easter eggs.

I feel like some people just buy semen online as it seemed cheap so I’ll bid once or twice and then they get it. Oh cool.  OKAY!  Maybe the buyer has talked to somebody and has a breeding plan.  Maybe not.

When somebody buys a buck or a show goat online, there is normally some kind of conversation with the breeder.  At the very least, there is a discussion about delivery of the animal.  This is not always the case with online semen purchases.

It is a known fact that I am not a huge fan of texting.  I realize that texting is a valuable tool when used properly.  But a random text from a # that I have or have not ever seen sends a message that says, “Please release lots 7 and lot 18.”

My first response is always “Who is this?”    This is a vital piece of info as REI needs to know who it is getting released to.  The next response is “What are lots 7 and 18?”  as I don’t keep every semen sale list on my person at all time.

But, some people do it right as they send a message that has their name, lot# and buck name and sale that they bought it in.  At this point, I can verify, call REI and release those straws.  Thank you.

I do not release straws until the buyer contacts me.  One, if it was semen sold in a donation auction, the seller doesn’t get a buyer’s list.  Two, I still have semen in my inventory that was sold and paid for 6 years ago.  Every year that I have sold semen, I have semen that was bought and paid for and the buyers have never contacted me.  I could hold a Sold and now we are selling it again semen sale.  I’m real sure that one year is a proper time line before re-selling.

I recently had a guy call and request a release for semen that he purchased in 2016.  I released it and he has picked it up.  He even admitted that it was an impulse buy and he kind of forgot about it.

I make every effort to accommodate semen buyers.  I call REI and release it.  Sometimes, a release gets mishandled.  I will gladly call and fix that problem as well.  Repeat buyers contact me about storing it until they get a shipper full.  No problem.  Communication is key is any business.

Recently, I got a text from Milligan Ventures forwarding me an email that “so-and-so had repeatedly tried to contact the seller to get 2 straws released.  We have texted, called and left messages with no reply.  What do we do?”  The paid invoice was included.

At first, I was upset.  I had not been contacted by anybody of that name.  Then, I looked at the invoice.  Guess what?  The phone # for me was wrong on the invoice.  They had been calling and texting the wrong #.  So, I called the buyer and took care of the problem.  Simple.

Which means that somebody, somewhere was getting messages about some straws of semen.  “What kind of sick son-of-a leaves messages like that?”

Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

Yes, 2 nights in a row, I am posting some dribble.

I just got home from the premium sale at the Woodward District Jr. Livestock Show.  All attendees were fed a ribeye steak dinner.  It was good.  Desserts were worth the trip.  Huge crowd.

They give out a Black Jacket award every year.  This is to an outstanding supporter/volunteer/whatever.  They have a black suit coat with the WWDJLS logo on it.  Each year, the recipients all wear their black jacket.  Kind of like the Master’s green jacket.  It is a cool deal.  They keep it quiet.

I had to help with the behind the scenes for this year’s recipient.  I know the family.  All of you probably know the family.  I had fun dealing with the wife to get the jacket size and info.  It was well deserved when they announced Mr. Larry Moore as this year’s Black Jacket recipient.  Talk about livestock legends.  That dude has raised grand barrows at Houston, OYE, Tulsa, etc.

I don’t know if the sale was up or down but I do know that the Shattuck kids sold well.  Ten kids sold for right at $30,000–not counting add ons.  I remember the very first premium sale at this show.  In fact, I remember the very first kid and animal that sold at this premium sale.  It was a student of mine in 1999–Blake Bixler from Waynoka with the Grand Steer sold for—$800.  Yep, no commas.  $800.   This sale has done grown.

They also give out a group of scholarships.  Two kids get a big Happy Gilmore check for a $1,000.  One of them was Kaylee Holt from Shattuck.  They also give out another 8.  Guess what?  Duke Kelln was one of those. Resume is strong.  GPA–I guess it is good enough.  This is an excellent district show.  Quality of stock is good.

And the countdown is on.  The number is now eins, uno—1.  That’s it.  ONE!   There is one stock show left for Tammy and I to be stock show parents.  Lots of work left in the next two weeks but the end is in sight.  Some families will be crying and depressed that it is coming to an end.  Not us.  We aren’t done yet but it is dang neart time.

Back in August, there were 5 animals on feed in Duke’s pens.  Now, here we are in March and there are the same 5 animals.  3 sheep–2 goats.  Probably don’t have the right one.  But, he has 5 high quality animals.  In today’s livestock world it can be hard to keep a set together.  Those that know me understand when I use the term “good livestock”.  Sound, functional, good muscled creatures that grow and are productive.  No extremes. I am happy with the fact that he doesn’t have a throw away animal.  Here’s the cool part.  He started with these 3 sheep and 2 goats.  There were never any others.  One because of the price tag on the goats.  And two, a person only wants a few sheep on feed.

I’m done.

I haven’t been on here in a day or 8 or 9.  I have been hooked up with a deal called the Woodward District Jr. Livestock Show.  It is the BEST district stock show.  I didn’t say the toughest (although it can be) but it is the best.

First off, they added an ag mechanics project contest this year.  It was WELL received.  Excellent projects that were well displayed throughout the livestock show.   My dumb ass and Jon Marc Holt took care of all of it.  Setting it up, getting judges, getting prizes, etc.  It was cool.

Today, was the last day of showing—cattle show.  As I was working on heifers, I looked across the aisle and noticed a bad ass heifer that had several working on it.  I also noticed that one of the kids was the owner.  He also just happened to be the exhibitor of the grand barrow.  His cousin was also helping put product into the heifer’s hair.  She just happened to be the exhibitor of the grand wether goat.   That made me go “Hunh?!”  I turned to my left to look at the row of 10 Shattuck clipping chutes.  Some Shattuck kid was working on hair.  Another Shattuck kid was fitting and clipping legs on that heifer.  Ironically, the first kid was the exhibitor of the grand market lamb.  The other one shows some stock and also had the grand ag mechanics project.

I can get down on stock shows and all the money and BS that goes with it. BUT…BUT….  When you can look around and see Ty Goss fitting legs on a bad ass heifer and Morgan Maloney working hair and Clayton Washmon working hair and Duke Kelln clipping legs, one has to realize that a good livestock kid is GOOD no matter the species.  Their last name may stereotype them to a pig, sheep or goat but here they were in THE marquee species.  Duke and Clayton weren’t even showing cattle.  They were just there working and helping get heifers into top placing slots and steers into premium sales.  Ty and Morgan were putting together a pair of wicked, wicked heifers.  While some will sit around on their asses and cuss those that win, others are working to win. These kind of kids work to win.  And more importantly, help others to win.  Hats off to those that raise kids like this.

Cheers to the Goss and Maloney combined family.  I have no connection to them other than I like hard working families that like good livestock.  They work and win.  This wether goat that won is good.  Real good.  I don’t know how OYE will go, but that is a good one. Hogs are good.  These heifers, oh snap! I’ll take this maintainer and give you the field.  I like this cow a lot.

Speaking of Woodward District Jr. Livestock Show, I need to brag on a family.  Carli Word is THE doe shower for Kelln Livestock.  One, her and her family take phenomenal care of animals.  Two, hair and feeding is impeccable.  Three, we like them.  She showed three does.  She won three classes and had grand and reserve grand.  The reserve grand is a Rumour Has It that was raised by Seelke’s and my dumb ass.  The grand is a doe that took me a while to get bought from Tolson.  She’s cool.  The Pfeiffer doe is really good.  Carli showed like a champ.

I had good help getting goats ready this year.  Tom Kester and Braden Schovanec.  One of the moms asked if they needed to pay Keester. I said, “That dude won’t take any money.  He would rather the kids shake his hand and say “Thank You.”

She looked at me and said, “Seriously?”  I said, “For real.”  That family got him a gift.  I think that he will like it.

Had a dude hit me up after the steer show today.  “How much money did you people in Shattuck spend on steers this year?”  My reply, “Less than  you dumb asses spent on wood chips for common hogs?”

“Seriously?”  The reserve grand steer shown by Gatlin Goodson was raised by his mother.  Tiffany is putting together good cattle.  Oh, and Gatlin had a 101.7 temp but he still managed to show like an all star.  Mikayla Hamaker’s smoke steer was a leftover steer at one of my former students–Clark Bixler.  Ona Rakestraw’s steer was born south of Fargo at my favorite neighbor’s farm–Johnny File.  I don’t even know if money changed hands between Johnny File and John Rakestraw on this steer.  It is amazing what a good feeding program, proper care and excellent showmen can accomplish.  Better yet, was watching all of these good livestock kids work together.  Share chutes, blowers, clippers, cans of adhesive, whatever.  This crew won’t win a herdsmanship award for a NEAT work area.  They probably can’t win a spelling bee.  But, I will take them to win everything else.

Good livestock kids are hard to beat.  Anywhere.  Any time.  I’ll take that good livestock kid and beat your ass.  At anything!  They know how to work.  They know how to prioritize.  Good livestock kids make ag teachers, parents, teachers and coaches look good.

Did Duke show?   Yes.  Goats–no.  He showed sheep.  He had champion hair sheep.  And reserve champion hair sheep.  And champion Dorset.  And the Dorset is 3rd overall.  Heck, the champion hair sheep came from Kathryn Kelly Black and the reserve came from Preston Faris.  Not much of a stretch from goats to a hair sheep.  The Dorset?  Well, we like Honkey.  He is dang good livestock.  I had a small role in the beginnings of this online livestock industry and yes, I bought a Dorset sheep, online,  from somebody that I have yet to meet in person and had somebody else delivered it to somebody else’s place and I picked it up there.  My kids have shown some really good animals.  Honkey is high on our list of favorites.

This has been a week of eye-watering events.  For one, this was the LAST county stock show that Tammy and I will be participating as parents.  YESSS!!!  20 years as stock show parents and we are all but done.  We will get a pay raise in the next few months.  The countdown continues.  Tears of joy!

Next, I have been fighting a bad donkey sinus issue.  I don’t get sick very often.  And other than the fact that I can’t breathe, I’m fine now.  However, the internal pressures from inside my sinus cavity has caused my eyes to water more than once.  And the sneezes that have dislodged ribs and my diaphragm from the base of my lungs has caused me to shed a tear or three.

And then our youngest offspring returned home from a welding competition.  He did not win.  He allowed that he shouldn’t have won.  He wasn’t sure that the bevel was 22.5 degrees on the 3/8″ steel that he had to do a vertical up MIG weld on for part of the test.  He was very critical of his own work and what he could in order to do better.  It was almost enough for a dad to have to wipe an eye.

For those of you that don’t know, Duke is not his first name.  It is actually his middle name.  After my grandpa “Duke” Schneider.  We thought about naming him Krawdad.  Think about it, Krawdad Kelln has a ring to it.  But, we went with sentimental names instead.  Either way, this kid was getting a kool name.

I can’t remember if I have ever wrote about this or not.  Don’t care.  If I have, it’s like a great Whitesnake song, “here I go again.”

In August of 1989, I headed to Stillwater, OK for the beginning of my college years.  I had pledged to a fraternity and we had some damn pledge retreat at a church camp in the greater Guthrie, OK area.  I didn’t know very many of these dudes.  We were kind of seated in a horseshoe shape.  They had the dude sitting across from me start by stating his name, hometown, honors, awards and special interests.

That first dude listed his valedictorian status, GPA, ACT score, complete resume, etc, etc, etc.  “I am ….. I was valedictorian of whatever High School, I was all state in …… I was a public speaking winner, I was, I was…..GEEZ!!  Then the next one, then the next one.  I’m looking around the room wondering how it is that I will be the last one and what in the hell am I doing here?

This torture continued until it hit the dude to my left.  He has been sitting there with his head hung low, glasses even lower on his nose.  He has been watching and listening but not making a sound or showing any signs of emotion.  I would have guessed that he was about my height.  Then they called his name and he kind of unfolded out of the folding chair.  He was over 6′ tall.  He pushed the glasses up off his nose.  This dude looked around the room and said his name.   “Yes, I have four first names.   I am from Orlando.  Oklahoma that is.  Not where the mouse has a kingdom in Florida.  I was born in the floorboard of a ’59 Ford truck and my favorite hobby is hunting skunks with a baseball bat.”

OOHHH  HECK YEAH!!!!    I’m still friends with several guys that were in that room.  But that dude is the reason that Duke’s first name is Connely.  Some of you will do the math and realize who that dude is.

Tonight, as Connely Kelln returned to the house after feeding cows, I was reminded of this story.  Why?  With this sinus issue, I can’t smell but my eyes were watering.  He managed to run over a skunk with the gator while feeding cows.  As his mother keeps handing him cans of tomato juice and boxes of baking soda, I can’t help but think of my buddy hunting skunks with a baseball bat.  I have NO doubt that this is a true story.

And as I write this drivel, I think to myself, I don’t remember a goat being sprayed by a skunk or a goat getting into a porcupine?!?   HHmm?

Goats don’t move much after dark.  I don’t think that they see well in the dark.  Therefore, in the goat world, most skunks and porcupines move on unnoticed.  Then again, most bucks could get sprayed by a skunk and that would improve their odor.

People, have a good one and a better tomorrow.  Horseshoes and shamrocks to all.  I’m hoping to catch several straight hours of sleep and no skunk smell in the morning.  I bet my happiness will not happen.

Another county stock show is in the books.  I do not enjoy local or county stock shows.  Some get excited about them.  Not me.  I see them as a scrimmage.  They really don’t count for much but you can get the stock out and do a run through.  In all honesty, the only people that care about a county stock show is beginning level showmen and grandparents.

I did survive.  It was butt-ass cold for the duration of the show.  I have some kind of wicked sinus issue.  And just about every school in NW OK is closed today due to ice.  Shattuck is not.  I normally don’t want them to call school unless it is dang sure warranted.  But, it wouldn’t have bothered me if they called it this time.  Oh well.

I’m dealing with some real serious 1st world kind of problems today.  Sinus issues, we have school, I have a broken razor handle and the dollarshaveclub hasn’t got the replacement to me yet and I am ready to sit down and have an actual meal.  That and I would really like to sleep a full night this week.  I bet I survive.

Have a good one and a better tomorrow.  Keep the stock warm and make sure they get a good drink.

I have hardly ever won a drawing.  I did win a red 5 gallon bucket at an NRA event several years back.  However, the person to my left, the person to my right and the person across the table from me all won a gun.  So, I cherish that red 5 gallon bucket with a screw on lid.

Lately, my luck has changed.  Monday, Feb. 4, I bought a $100 raffle ticket for the football boys effort to pay for their state championship rings.  I actually bought the last ticket.  That night, I won a $1,000.

After Mass this morning, I was perched on a porcelain throne and decided to pull up Facebook.  A new online venture called ChampionXchange had a promo going that if you liked the photo, liked their page AND shared it, you would be entered in a drawing for 4 sirloin steaks.

ChampionXchange is a livestock marketing platform that utilizes social media to sell some animals.  I like the concept.  The entrepreneur behind this venture is a family friend, whom also happens to be a former student from Waynoka, Clark Bixler.

I bet you guessed by now, I won some steaks.  I guarantee he was hoping it would be somebody that may or may not actually get the steaks.  But I will make him deliver them to me.

I need to get off of here and go buy a lottery ticket, or a plane ticket to Vegas and see if the dice are rolling hot.

It is county stock show season in Oklahoma.  Good luck, have fun and remember, it is supposed to be fun.

I got a call right after lunch from a goat legend.  Hadn’t talked to him in several months.  He wanted to know if I had heard any news about Joe Ed Helms.  My mind went “Shit!”  My mouth probably did as well.  IDK and don’t care what came out of my mouth at that point.  I knew that it was probably true.  I just didn’t want it to be.  I always liked that dude.  Joe Ed Helms is a huge part of the history of the show goat world.

I won’t be able to put my thoughts into print–accurately.  But here are some parts that are rolling through my head.

I loved those overalls.  Never saw him in a new pair.  Just a continual string of used overalls.  Never saw him wear anything but a free cap.  And if you commented on the cap, you got a commentary on why he wore it.

I remember the days of Joe Ed & Kenneth Helms, Ralph Shafer, Tommy & Steve Morriss having a sale south of Sonora.  Shitty spray painted sign.  They would have some sales with a goat or two that would bring some jack.  Back in those days, a couple of Morriss goats would bring some money.  But the rest, not so much.  Ralph, yeah, one or two and Helms, yes. They had goats there. Then the rest were skinny, green and scary.  So, I bought several.  Then more the next year.  Then more the next year.  Joe Ed met me up front one year.  He looked me in the eye, shook my hand and said, “I’m glad that you are here.  We’ve got some skinny goats and they aren’t bad.  I know that they will sell in your price range.  We appreciate you being here.”   JEEZ, thanks.  You are correct.  But…..

The first goat that I ever bought from the Helms crew, for my own kids,  was a wether that sold at the Lone Star Elite sale in 2008.  It was Kela’s senior year.  I gave more than I was used to.  And, and at that time, the amount that I gave was more than Joe Ed and Kenneth were used to getting for a damned goat.  $2,200.  Joe Ed asked me if he needed to verify if the funds were good on the check.

By the way, that goat was named “Joe Ed” and he was reserve grand at the OK State Fair in ’08, res. div. 5 at the Tulsa State Fair (Kela also had champ div. 5).   The wether was an actual S100.  Most of you clowns only know that buck as a sales point.

In May of 2009, I backed out of being a partner on a buck.  In June of 2009, at Tommy Morriss’ sale facility, Joe Ed Helms asked me, “Did my son screw up spending all that money on that midget goat?”

I looked him in the eyes and said, “No sir!  I’m the one that screwed up.  You better buy in because that goat will make you famous.”  I still do not know if he owned part of 191 or not.  No matter to me, but at least once a year since then, he and I have walked over to that pen and looked at 191 and shared sarcastic, shitty comments about the goat industry.  And acknowledged the living legend “191”.

And when the first 191’s were hatched and available, I was there.  I took the wrong one according to Joe Ed and Kenneth. The hell I did!  At first, I wanted to name that goat “Jukebox Hero.”  Then, I got a partner.  He knew what the name “Jukebox Hero” meant to me.  But he wasn’t feeling it.  In typical Tyke fashion, “I like that name but I just want to name him Joe Dirt.  Not that Joe Ed is dirty.  But I’ve never seen him cleaned up and it just feels right.”  Dude, as always, Tyke was right.  Joe Dirt it would be and it fit.  There ain’t no cleaned up glamour shot of that buck and he did his job.  Much like his namesake.

Joe Ed liked Kela.  He loved getting Tammy stirred up a bit.  He tolerated me but he really liked Duke.

Talking irrigation wells, sweet potatoes, the goat industry, that stubborn son of his, politics in government and the goat industry, the value of an air conditioner in that kubota utv, the value of a dollar or why you don’t ever serve hot dogs at a labor day sale–pick a topic.   I only seem opinionated.  That dude had his thoughts and they were right and you were wrong.  I loved it.

My three favorite Joe Ed comments.

3–“Do you think that you over-spent for that little goat?”  Joe Ed on Labor Day of 2012.  My reply–“No sir!  I’m just afraid that I should have tried to buy that one, J086 and that inbred bastard when I was there and they were all little.  Plus there is a little one that I want but Kenneth wasn’t going to price him.”  Those would become Rumour Has It, I 40, X Factor and 599X.  (In April of 2012, I knew to buy them all.  But at that time, that was a lot of money.  Hell, it still is.  I’d still do it if I saw a fleet like that again.  Regardless of species.)

2–“You quit that John Deere gig?  You going to be like that fat, crooked bastard and just trade goats for a living?”    Me–“No.  I can make a go of it without being crooked or being fat.  But, it would help if you and your son sold me goats cheaper.”

Joe Ed—“Do you know what it costs to raise these things?”   Me–“Yes.”  Him–“Well, it ain’t cheap.”

1–“You’ve got good kids.  I like that girl but she moved to California.  That boy is a worker.  I like him and he’s polite.  It’s a good thing that they take after that wife of yours.”

I liked him and more importantly, my family liked Joe Ed Helms.  Rest In Peace my friend.  And prayers to the family.

No, really, I do remember hearing old people say “Life gets faster as you get older.”  I also remember thinking, “What? They are old.”

And now—–JEEEEMINY CHRISTMAS, this is all moving SOOOOOOOOO fast!  I remember turning 21 like it was yesterday.  Now, I’m not sure how old I am without thinking about it.

Dude(s), I can remember the good critters that I showed to so-and-so but that was actually 15 years ago.

I recently used a line with some kids–“My first year out of college, the señor (I actually typed senior but the stuck I changed it to señor.  I like it!)  Anyways, the senior class had a cake raffle.”  One of the seniors asked, “What year was that?”  I said “1993.”  One of them groaned and said, “That was like 7 years before I was born.”  Thanks, smart ass!  My daughter was already 3.

It isn’t just that I am getting old but I am not a slick, well cared for machine.  Too many stock shows, too many miles, a few bad decisions and a not-exactly-healthy lifestyle have contributed to me being old and getting older.  Although, no tobacco since 1991 helped me get a cheaper rate on life insurance.

Here’s to too many irons in the fire, doing it right, listening to Elvis, wondering who-the-hell even likes cardi b, play some Tone Loc, enjoying the moment, trying to remember what the moment was and happy about all of it.  Keep calm, don’t be skint and be excellent to each other.

I really haven’t had nor do I have the time to post on here, but I am clearing my head, getting my eyes squared right and just not thinking.  I’ve been on that FAET website and my head is numb.  This website doesn’t require much thought, so let’s have at it.

While dealing with these FFA type record books, a cool tune came on.  It was the theme song from Eddie and the Cruisers.  That was a cool movie.

I could see some wheat peaking out of the ground.  There is a bit more light after 6 pm.  Spring is ever so cautiously nearing.  We will see more cold before it is done.  But, I am ready for camo shorts, comfy shoes, no shirts or socks and just fun days.  I haven’t been fishing for a long, long time.  That, my friends, is going to have to change.

Duke had to speak at the Woodward Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Monday.  On Tuesday, he and Elizabeth Schneider, who is from Seiling were on the front page of the Woodward News.  These two seniors were asked to speak about the upcoming Woodward District Jr. Livestock Show.  Most didn’t know this, but not only are these two really good kids, but they are also cousins.  Kind of cool.

Lots of countdowns going on around here.  Days to final stock show, days to last prom, days to last graduation, heck pick a date and Tammy or I can tell why that will be the last of.  It’s all good.  Have a good one.