Surviving the Drought

Here in northwest Arkansas, we have been blessed with a few days of much-needed rain.  Things were getting very dry, as they are across the entire southwestern part of our country, though the dryness here doesn't hold a candle to areas such as west Texas.

We are in the midst of history-in-the-making.  With a summer of non-stop record-breaking high temperatures across the country and a mind-blowing drought in the southwest section of the United States, cattle producers are faced with making life- and operation-changing decisions.

Countless herd-dispersal sales have been occuring across the region, with producers selling their cows because of lack of water, lack of forage, and the inability to harvest hay to feed their cattle due to both of these.  As a result of the lack of water resources in part of the country and too much water in the midwest, grain prices are sky-rocketing, making it virtually impossible to economically prosper in the cattle business... unless your on to it's game.

I had the priveledge of listening to a few presentations while they were being taped for a webinar a few weeks ago that opened my eyes to just how serious things are getting - and how we can overcome these tough times.

Take a look at this resource guide of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's, titled Managing During Drought.  By following this link, you will be able to find an answer to many of your questions, hopefully easing the pain of the dry times just a bit. 

Another link on The Noble Foundation's site identifies some tips for managing your cattle, specifically.  These tips include:

• Wean Calves Early
• Identify cows to sell
• Inventory forage resources
• Acquire hay and feed
• Scout for toxic plants
• Monitor water quantity and quality
• Test hay before purchase
• Plan ahead!

"The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is an independent, nonprofit institute headquartered in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Founded in 1945, the Noble Foundation conducts direct operations, including assisting farmers and ranchers, and conducting plant science research and agricultural programs, to enhance agricultural productivity regionally, nationally and internationally." (www.noble.org)  Their website is a great production tool, no matter where you are located in the United States or what kind of operation you are running.  When you have a few extra minutes, mosey on over to their website and take a look - you will be pleased with what you find!

Pray for rain

More Than A Farmer's Wife

To say that I have been intrigued with the life of farmer's wives and farm women these past few months (perhaps even years) would be the understatement of the week.

I grew up in the east - in the beautiful, rolling Appalachian Mountains - where farm life has it's differences, for the most part, from the agriculture I've surrounded myself with out west (where I grew up, Arkansas and Oklahoma is considered "out west").  I am fascinated at the differences in rural lifestyles from one place to the other and endlessly compare them in my mind.

While I understand the persona of the "farm wife" and a "farm woman" is changing daily in our world of iphones, mobile web, digital cameras, and costume jewelry, and everyone has their own opinions of what these terms mean...  And I am quickly learning that my skewed perception of who rural women are is very different than what may actually be.

In the midst of my research for my graduate project on cattle nutrition and implant strategies and right smack dab in the middle of writing my thesis, I am attempting to take on a new project - researching the American Rural Woman... all that she was and all that she will be.  I read a book a few months ago titled "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls, which really got me digging into the idea of farm women and who we are...  How we differ from one another.  Where we've been.  Where we're going.  How things are changing.  And what things will always remain.

My latest project:

I just started it a few nights ago and am already deeply intrigued.  Don't be surprised if in the next few weeks you get countless quotes and recollections from this book written by Dr. Amy Mattson Lauters - it is brilliant and I don't want to put it down!  Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Maryland Summer

Value Cuts of Beef

This morning I logged on to www.beef.org - The Beef Industry's Information Center, and I stumbled across the neatest thing...  Check out this diagram of the Value Cuts of a beef carcass, funded by The Beef Checkoff - click on each cut and read a little excerpt about each one, see pictures of the cut, and you can even download a fabrication guide!  Take a few minutes to brush up on your beef knowledge so the next time a consumer comes up to you and asks a question in the market, you'll be sure to have a correct answer!

And while you're visiting www.beef.org, sign up for the Beef So Simple newsletter and download the 29 Leans Cuts wallet card! 

Have a wonderful week everyone!  

Eat beef and wear leather.