Online pig auctions make my head hurt.  Cattle sales are almost as bad.  You better be prepared for HOURS of extended bidding time.  EVEN the big name breeders–almost no bidding until closing time, then let’s sit around and submit bid here and there.  Hunt and peck.  Bid here, outbid there, move and bid there, OWWWW–damn!  I would say that they are a waste of time, until I realized that I just bid on a wicked gilt (not cheap), while I was waiting on a barrow to close.  Wait?! What?!  I don’t even need a gilt.  She was just too cheap.  

The OYE gilt sale will make a person think about feeding for that sale.  Those things bring a pile of cash.  And then they have proven to go on and breed for their new owners.  

However, the OYE doe show and sale has proven to be a train wreck over the past decade.  Why?  Because almost all of them were a borrowed-damn deal.  Buy back–not actually for sale–therefore it does not help the industry.  

I don’t like the rent-a-doe deal.  These “customers” actually put ZERO dollars into the industry.  They borrow the doe, show it and return it and then hope for a better one next year.  On the flip side, a wether buyer will buy the best one for their budget.  Work it, show it and when they win with it, they will come back and buy equal value or spend more next year, thus helping the ACTUAL sale of goats.  The lease doe deal.  Nope.  If they don’t win, they go to a different breeder and look for a BETTER borrowed doe. No money changes hands.  

Sure, I get the whole learning project deal.  But let’s get real.  

The only value that a breeder sees out of loaner does–they get the doe fed for free.  Which means that it was probably mis-managed and won’t breed next year.  Especially if it was a “really ” good feeder.  I’ve got another head-ache.  Have I mentioned that I like wether shows better.  And I like live pig sales better.  

I was looking forward to getting kicked by a mule in KC, but NO!  Some people have other obligations.  I respect that, but am holding all parties accountable.  Whether it is a Nebraskan or a Hoosier, there are prices to be paid with interest for not being in attendance at KC.  Now, as Duke informs me, he and his crew want to attend 2 haunted houses.  Comstock might need to be there to help me.  

Today, October 17, 2016, just might be the nastiest day of weather that we have seen in this part of the world all year.  To start with, we are extremely dry.  When you go months without rain, and when it has rained in the past 4 months, we were measuring it by the hundreth, it tends to get dry.  Then throw in the wind.

Today, it is the last half of October.  It was 99 degrees F (yes, capitol F) this afternoon.  Now, add 40+ mph sustained winds and it makes for one NASTY day.  It should be half way cool.  It is not fun to be outside.  

I hope that it is nice in your part of the world.  Have a good day.  

2 pickups that need an oil change.  2 drivers that need some rest.  One goat sale weekend that is OVER!! YES!!!   Thanks to all that helped this weekend.  Duke worked like a champ.  Parli and Hayden are always great.  Julie takes care of business.  Huge Thanks to Jason Spence and Glen Martin for their help!

Duke keeps bringing up 801 Chophouse in KC.  For some reason, he thinks that Schoovy is buying.  For some reason, I agree with Duke.  

Judging from the text pics that I am getting, I need to be in Vegas with KC and Andy Ferguson.  Somebody needs to keep them out of trouble.  

It is time for the first ever Fall edition of the Banners & Backdrops sale in Perry, OK.  There is going to be several wethers and a few elite doe kids.  This will be the last opportunity to find a wether or doe kid for the spring show season.  There is also going to be several young bred does that are intriguing.  It should be a quality set of goats.  

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.  

I hope that not too many of you fine people watched that debate crap the other night.  This election can put a person in a pretty sour mood about our future.  There is a bad candidate and than an even worse candidate.  Hideous.

But, it really isn’t all that bad.  Monday brought a busy day at school.  I’ve been gone to the fairs, the softball team has been gone to the state tournament, so it has been hard to get much done. Monday brought get back to work day.  With a contest on Tuesday, there was ground to be made up.  Monday evening brought opening ceremonies team practice at 6.  This allowed the boys to finish football practice, get changed into official FFA dress and go to work for a couple of hours.  

While this practice was going on, the robotics group was working after hours on their projects.  Throw in a couple of community volunteers and they were getting stuff done.  At 8, the high school had play practice.  Several of these kids were involved in more than one of these practices.  Numerous volunteers were helping all of these events.  Teachers working after hours and kids willing to work extra hours to try to improve.  

Sure, this was a typical evening in Shattuck, America, but this goes on in most schools.  There are lots of good kids and good adults working to help those kids all over this great country.  It just so happens, that none of the good ones are running for president.  

The kids have a booth at the Red Barn Craft Show in Shattuck on this fine Saturday.  We’ll sell some of their creations and take orders for more.  Signs, benches, horseshoe art, disc cutouts, spray paint art, etc. etc.   There might even be some decorative gourds and fresh eggs available.  

Then, it is back to Tulsa.  Finish on Sunday.  

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.  

     Busy weekend.  We managed to dodge another rain shower.  It is dry here in paradise.  Now, it is time to head to Tulsa for the Tulsa State Fair. I am already looking forward to this week being over.  We aren’t taking much to Tulsa.  Duke is staying home.  I wish that we could reverse the roles–he go to Tulsa and I stay home. I’ll actually spend more time in the sheep and cattle barns than I will the goat barn.  We’ve already had a decent Tulsa State Fair.  The kids won a couple of Ag Mechanics divisions and another student won the FFA news reporting class.  

Congrats to the Shattuck Lady Indidans softball team as they once again made it to the state tournament in softball.  However, this does kind of keep us from judging livestock this Thursday as six of the girls that judge also play softball.  The joys of a small school.  

I’m sure that we will see some good stock this week.  I bet that I eat more than once at Tally’s Cafe. The Banners and Backdrops is sale is just around the corner once Tulsa is done.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

Here it is.  Saturday night and I am having to deal with somebody elses goat deal.  A really good family is driving 90 miles, one way, to bring me a wether that has the start of a kidney stone.  No vets are around on a Saturday night.  Plus, in all honesty, not many vets actually know how to properly unplug a stoned SHOW wether.  So, here they come.  I didn’t raise the wether, but I like the people.  I hope it isn’t too late.  

My better half is sending them home with fresh okra, farm fresh brown eggs from the renowned poultry division of Kelln Livestock as well as other goodies.  And I quote, “They are driving here, they need something to show for it.”  I love it.

One of the best compliments that we have ever recieved here at the Kelln Kompound came from a sub-standard goat breeder that has an extremely cool wife, a wicked awesome daughter and a pair of meat-headed, twin boys that are a riot.  He said, “You know Dude, there is something to be said for going to Fargo, OK and dropping goats off and the Dragon Lady brings you out a couple of jars of Sand Plum jelly.  He!!, it just kind of makes you want to keep doing business with her a-hole husband.”  And then he sends text pics of those kids eating biscuits covered in Sand Plum jelly.  If you can’t have fun in this business, get out.  

One question…Did Okie State play football today?  Did they win?  It sickens me as to the amount of $s that OSU and ou spend on football.  But texas shames everybody in the department of $s spent and lack of return on investment.