That title just sounds wrong. \u00a0And it probably is. \u00a0But hold on and follow me down this curvy road. \u00a0It might get long. \u00a0But you can always go do something else if you don’t want to read this crap. \u00a0However, this could be fun.<\/p>\n
It never fails. \u00a0If Duke and I are both gone at the same time, something goes wrong in paradise. \u00a0Friday night, Duke and I headed out on an adventure. \u00a0That left Tammy taking care of things. \u00a0She did no wrong. \u00a0But we got a storm that brought just a half inch of rain and several feet of wind. \u00a0It blew lids off of feeders. \u00a0PITA! \u00a0 She took care of stuff but when we got home, I got to clean out wet feed from self feeders. \u00a0Fine. \u00a0No problem.<\/p>\n
Except one pen has 12 young bucks and a crippled wether in it–Feb. to May born. \u00a0A couple of these are horrible livestock. \u00a0I mean bad. \u00a0Every breeder has them. \u00a0It happens. \u00a0One of these Feb. born wethers is out of a great doe (that we sold) and his twin doe kid is a bad ass. \u00a0But he may be the worst goat that I have ever raised. \u00a0I was excited when this doe had twins AND\u2026.AND one of them was a buck. \u00a0I was wrong. \u00a0He is a POS and he tries to bully and rape everything else. \u00a0So, I still have him. \u00a0Why? \u00a0The sale barn at Perry burnt down and Enid doesn’t have a sale until August 13 and Dodge City is on August 11. \u00a0 I am looking forward to him, as well as a couple of others, being gone. \u00a0But, tonight, I cleaned out their feeder and sorted that sorry SOB and two of his buddies off. \u00a0 And I put them in with two fall-born bucks that have actually seen live action.<\/p>\n
Now, any of you that know me, know that you don’t have to wonder what my thoughts are. \u00a0Just wait a minute and my thoughts will become vocal. \u00a0However, I don’t understand much about the gay rights and homosexuality debates. \u00a0The tranny bathroom deal, whatever. \u00a0I have views. \u00a0This isn’t the place or time. \u00a0But, I can tell you that if you have a fall born buck kid that has not been especially aggressive, all you need to do is put a smaller aggressive buck in with him. \u00a0I think that I will now call that pen–Shawshank. \u00a0It didn’t take long and it turned into a prison style rape. \u00a0I am sure that sorry goat is wishing that he was still in that other pen. \u00a0I walked off from this arrangement, in the dark, hearing the sounds of something that sounded like the kin of the mighty Chewbacca being put under some un-due stress with a rubber mallet, a vise and some pliers. \u00a0Nature has a weird way of making things work out.<\/p>\n
Speaking of buck kids waiting to bloom. \u00a0We all want that great buck kid, or doe or wether for that matter, that looks killer at day 5, at weaning, yearling and as a mature. \u00a0But in reality, they all go through stages. \u00a0Some genetics take a bit to come into themselves. \u00a0For instance, years ago, I told a very, very good livestock guy about a certain Joe Dirt wether. \u00a0I said, “He will go through a funk and when he comes out the other side, get ready. \u00a0He will be good.” \u00a0He questioned me during the process. \u00a0But\u2026.but\u2026.in the end\u2026.Morgan Craig ended up with a reserve grand wether at Tulsa. \u00a0Good genetics, good program, even better showman and a banner was hung. \u00a0And I put more emphasis on the kid than the rest.<\/p>\n
My question? \u00a0The goat industry seems to be hell bent on goats looking top shelf at an early age. \u00a0And then every week after that. \u00a0Everybody wants the homecoming queen but we all know in the end it might be better to have that one that “filled out” (for lack of a better term) just a bit later. \u00a0A decade ago, I could buy Ralph Shafer, Steve Morriss, Bob Allen and Helms goats that were out of stuff like S100, R23, Yogi, Okie, T34, etc. \u00a0that didn’t look good early and it took them a bit to look the part. \u00a0We hung banners at shows like Tulsa and State Fair. \u00a0Then the photo craze started. \u00a0I guess. \u00a0NOW, we need them fat and bloomy all the time. \u00a0It is like the early 90’s. \u00a0We want the chicks to wear those Rockies jeans. \u00a0Remember them. \u00a0Rocky butts drive men nuts. \u00a0But sometimes, it is like a can of biscuits. \u00a0And you have to wonder, how they ever fit into them. \u00a0Did anybody else notice that I started this paragraph with a question, yet I never actually asked a question? \u00a0I guess that is now my question.? IDK>>>WTH>>>I think that I am dumber for having typed this. \u00a0I can only imagine what readers think. \u00a0Pretty sure not much care is given by the person writing about biscuits and rocky jeans. \u00a0You should probably re-read that last sentence and r-e-a-d it \u00a0 \u00a0s \u00a0 l \u00a0 o \u00a0 w \u00a0 l \u00a0 y \u00a0 \u00a0.<\/p>\n
Back in April, I might have mentioned that I spied a little 2 or 3 week old kid at Helms. \u00a0There was a chicken attack that day. \u00a0I hadn’t been back until now. \u00a0Guess what? \u00a0I still found tag 8077 in the same dang pen with a bunch of other goats. \u00a0Now, the rooster is dead. \u00a0And tag 8077 is Helms keeper. \u00a0He is a changer. \u00a0No chance at being a wether for that goat. \u00a0Lucky him.<\/p>\n
I wasn’t planning on a goat trip but Blaine Rue called and asked if Duke could help clip goats this weekend. \u00a0Duke had to work till Friday evening but said that he would be there. \u00a0On Friday afternoon, I decided to tag along. \u00a0(Truth is, Duke’s momma didn’t want him driving by himself.) \u00a0I am glad that I went for the following reasons.<\/p>\n
1–Duke and I had a good trip together. \u00a0He is a 17 year old male. \u00a0I’m probably not the easiest person to live with. \u00a0And, genetically speaking, he is double bred stupid. \u00a0But, a great kid with a strong work ethic. \u00a0He and I have always traveled well together and worked on other people’s stuff together. \u00a0That hasn’t changed.<\/p>\n
2–I hadn’t been to Quitiquae this summer. \u00a0I’m real sure that not many travel brochures have touted the beauties of the greater Valley Schools area this summer. \u00a0Sandburs, goat heads, 100 plus temps and the dry land cotton looked like crap or was already dead.<\/p>\n
3–I had never slept in a green box car before. \u00a0Now, I am thinking that if\/when the Dragon Lady kicks my ass to the curb, I could probably live in a box care, regardless of color.<\/p>\n
4–I like helping Blaine. \u00a0As do other breeders. \u00a0He can annoy people but all of us need to respect work ethic and desire. \u00a0Those traits are way more important than dollars. \u00a0Ironically, those exact traits make dollars and cents or sense. \u00a0Whatever. \u00a0I just hope that he remembers us when he makes it big. \u00a0He loves to study the history and genetics of show goats. \u00a0Plus, I got to hear a story about driving shirt less and a speeding ticket. \u00a0I’m laughing as I type this. \u00a0If you don’t know Blaine, you need to. \u00a0He will remind you about the good in the industry.<\/p>\n
5–I got to witness history. \u00a0Adon Alonis sitting and not working. \u00a0He might have had a cerveza. \u00a0Kenneth Helms was actually working. \u00a0And, at that time, I was NOT having a cerveza. \u00a0 I was just keeping Blaine and Duke busy. \u00a0And as a result, they washed and clipped more than they were planning for one day.<\/p>\n
6–I like Joe Ed Helms. \u00a0He has always been extremely polite and nice to my family. \u00a0I also like a good story.<\/p>\n
So, here you go. \u00a0I have known that Joe Ed used to raise sweet potatoes. \u00a0A lot of sweet potatoes. \u00a0I did not know that he is still raising them. \u00a0Almost 4 acres. \u00a0That’s several sweet potatoes. \u00a0He has raised them over 60 years. \u00a0I didn’t want to live to be 40 and he has raised sweet potatoes for over 60.<\/p>\n
This conversation led me to ask Kenneth about growing them. \u00a0This turned into an early 80s story about owning a sweet potato combine (who knew that such a machine existed), it took 10 people picking and sorting, something about the border patrol, possible fines and jail time, having to finish the season with family and friends, never again, etc, etc.<\/p>\n
Now, here we are, 30 something years later, \u00a0still looking for people to work and we have a border problem. It’s amazing how things can be in the past and still be relevant. But watch enough media and it is all the Trumpster’s fault.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7–I’m pretty positive that if you can’t have a positive interaction with young people trying to make a honest dollar and\/or their way in a given business while dealing with proven, experienced people in said profession, then you need to find a different path. \u00a0I do worry that our industry forgets this from time to time. \u00a0Some more than others. \u00a0I like a $, maybe even two, \u00a0but some people taught me that priceless things are worth more. \u00a0Those people would be right.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I had the privilege to talk to my son about his future as we drove home. \u00a0Not much talking from Turkey to I-40, since he slept. But from then on, he talked, not a lot, but for Duke, it was a world book encyclopedia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All I really know, is that when raising kids, regardless of politics, religions or other crap, the journey makes the end goal worth more. \u00a0Tammy and I are nearing a point that we can high five and say “Job well done–times two.” \u00a0And we both respect the fact, that our parents did their job. \u00a0Maybe, probably, better than we did as parents. \u00a0It’s hard to compare. \u00a0Now, get me talking about show winners. \u00a0I can do it. \u00a0But, I do a way better job telling stories about the kids and their parents and how we used a dang show animal as the vehicle to propel kids into better places. \u00a0Put a price on that.<\/p>\n I had a good day. \u00a0Two good ones in a row. \u00a0I think that tomorrow will also be really, really good\u2026\u2026 \u00a0 \u00a0 If it ain’t, well then I will wish that you are like the lactose-intolerant ice cream maker. \u00a0You’ll just have to trust how good your product is, or just dive in and deal with consequences. \u00a0Ironically, Johnny Cash’s, “Ring of Fire” is currently playing. \u00a0I love that song.<\/p>\n Too long? \u00a0Too stupid? \u00a0I would like to direct you to use that mouse by your right side. \u00a0What? Who doesn’t have their mouse to the right? \u00a0Only a person that has bog roll coming off the bottom and not the top. \u00a0Anyways, if you don’t like it, the internet is one big pond. \u00a0Go fish somewheres else.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" That title just sounds wrong. \u00a0And it probably is. \u00a0But hold on and follow me down this curvy road. \u00a0It might get long. \u00a0But you can always go do something else if you don’t want to read this crap. \u00a0However, this could be fun. It never fails. \u00a0If Duke and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2388"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2388"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2391,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2388\/revisions\/2391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kellnlivestock.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}