Haying in the Hay Capital

Its a busy time in Kansas, the county fairs are winding down and we are getting geared up for the State Fair! AND its Haying Season, brome, alfalfa, prairie and more.

What better way to see a glimpse of haying than that which is taking place in "The Hay Capital of the World!" Yes, that is a place and no its not a made up title. Learn a little more about The Hay Capital from my previous blog post here.

To learn more about native/prairie hay and its nutritional value, check out this handy publication from University of Missouri Extension. While the publication can be a little technical at times it is great at describing how to make great hay!

Mowing the last 80 acres of the year. Hay shown in this video is Prairie.

Agriculture & Sports: A great combination

I grew up playing sports, and then when I “got old” I started coaching.  I come from an athletic family. 

My great grandpa played on the first baseball team in Manhattan. My dad as an athlete at the University of Nebraska, his dad boxed in the Navy. The list can go on and on.  All of my family appreciates the life lessons sports teach. 

While I grew up in an athletic family I also grew up in one that is deeply rooted in agriculture.  This might be why I value and get kinda excited when sports meet agriculture! 

These two articles are circulating around. 

1. These 7 Professional Athletes are Also Farmers

2. NFL Owner Stan Kroenke Buys Texas Mega-Ranch Listed for $725 Million

I am excited to read about athletes that get their workout in the barn stacking hay or those that value working with their hands in the soil. 

Then I read the article about the Waggoner Ranch selling.  I was a little…what’s the word? hesitant, nervous, apprehensive, or maybe skeptical.  I am not really sure what to say. So, let’s be positive and go for “hopeful” When I read about NFL Owner Stan Kroenke buying the Waggoner Ranch. The Waggoner Ranch has been run by the same family for over 100 years. Let's hope the new owner is a good steward of the ranch and its employees. I hope he sees this place for what it truly is.... one of the truly great western ranches of history. I hope it stays under one fence. Hopefully for the history, heritage, and employees and families of the ranch he keeps it operating as is.

Because when agriculture and sports come together it can be great!

Blue & Gold Pride

I was reminded (not that I needed it) this morning how much I love FFA!

The Blue & Gold Pride came flooding back. I was asked by a FFA member to attend the community breakfast sponsored by the local FFA chapter. It was a great way to start my morning; drinking my coffee from a FFA cup, talking to students about how I can relate to those 5am mornings getting up to cook breakfast during National FFA Week, and the plans for the rest of the week's celebrations. 

I couldn't resist wearing my Blue & Gold this morning and kinda want to all week!

So, if your local FFA chapter is having events this week, I suggest you go out and support The Future of Agriculture!

Thankful for Agriculture

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, may you be blessed and have a full stomach.

 I am so thankful for my family that makes up those Farmers & Ranchers that help feed us everyday, not just on Thanksgiving.

Iowa State Fair 2014

As Kansas is about to kick off their state fair tomorrow it reminded me I should post about my trip to the Iowa State Fair. I am behind (as usual with blogging).

Disclaimer * we went on the last Saturday of the fair,(+) which is held in the largest city in Iowa= packed, crazy, not easy to see anything, etc*

With the way things went that day, we didn't get to the fair until about 5pm, another crazy choice. Parking, well that's a "fun" challenge. After parking on a random side street we walked the 5 block(surprisingly close) to the entry. Hungry, I thought the first thing I wanted to do was get something fried or unique to Iowa's Fair.

How about a Double Bacon Corn Dog!

Next stop of course had to be the livestock barns.

The Avenue of Breeds was AWESOME! End of story, just plain awesome. 

I like unique/heritage breeds to this was right up my Avenue, ok sorry about the lame joke. 

 The draft horses warming up and moving from barns to show arenas was something that made everyone stop and watch. Brought me back to the days when my family had Belgiums

We watched an llama futurity show, checked out the Boulevard of Dairy Breeds,stopped by the largest boar pen, (he weighed in at 1,400lbs),  visited a few western clothing booths, and spent at least an hour in the 4-H exhibits building. So impressed by what young people are making, creative & talented!

The buildings at the fair grounds are very impressive, and even more so to think they were built just for the fair! 

The Ag Building, originally build in 1904

You can check out this picture and others showing the amazing architectural buildings of the fair at Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Of course we had to check out the Butter Sculpture in the Agriculture Building

As we were getting ready to walk out the gate there was the Exotic Petting Zoo. Pretty happy we stopped :)

National Zucchini Day & Recipe

So, I heard through the grape Zucchini "vine" that today is National Zucchini Day.

It has always been a joke in our family & community about giving away this veggie. When going to church everyone was told to roll up your windows and keep your doors locked, to keep the....... Zucchini out.  I ran across this cute idea and if we had a plant that was producing like crazy  or if I even had Zucchini growing at my place I think I would do this.

Image & idea from Mavis Garden Blog

How fun would this be to come home to???

If you have more Zukes than you can handle or arrive at home with these on your door, try this recipe. I made this with Hubbard Squash in  previous post but works great with Zucchini!

Happy National Zucchini Day!

Merry Cowboy Christmas!

Being a graduate of Oklahoma State University made me like this even a little more. This is wonderful, its perfect, couldn't do it better myself,  reminds me of home!

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!!!

What Does the Farmer Say?

I am not sure how many of you have seen, "What Does the Fox Say?" I first saw it over at Crystal Cattle. Honesty, it was kinda annoying, yet I laughed. I found a much better version.

What Does the FARMER Say? As I watched it, I kept saying over and over, "Oh thats so true!"  My favorite part might be the, "your arms are tan, your legs are white" or "Wave, Wave, Wave,"

Do you have a favorite part?

Watch Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyMv4kkSCvk&feature=youtu.be

"THE" South Dakota Snow Storm

I am sure that many of you have seen the heartbreaking pictures of the snow storm that hit South Dakota last week. They keep rolling in on my Facebook newsfeed. Part of my Dad's ranch is in SD (not affected) so this makes me sit up and pay attention. Not only is this devastating to ranchers for the obvious reason but to make matters worse we are at a time when cattle prices are higher than they have been in years. The effects of this storm will last more than a few days, or months...it will be years to fully recover this great loss. It is estimated that the loss could tall up to 275,000 head, with ranches loosing 5-20% of their herd.  So keep those farmers and ranchers whose lifestyle and living rely on agriculture in your prayers.

Just to add more to the story, due to the government shut down there is zero aid for these farmers and ranchers. The national media is barely talking about this, so to get the issue the attention and help it needs we need to share the story.

I have compiled a list of some, only SOME of the articles/blogs/etc that have been published about "THE" storm.It encouraging to look over the posts and see how many people, businesses and organizations are spreading the word and helping with recovery.

The South Dakota Cowgirl

Tri-State Livestock News

MT Stockgrowers Blog

Opened Door

NBC News

Ranch Radio KBHB

Big Balls in Cowtown

Rapid City Journal

Just a Ranch Wife

The Bismark Tribune

KOTA News

MSN.com 

Dawn Winks:Dewdrops

KOTATV.com

Farmer Bloggers

BEEF Magazine

Pretty Work

Argus Leader

Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom

"So God Made a Farmer"

I hope each and everyone have seen the Dodge commercial by now that aired last night during the big game. I was happy to wake up and see my friends have been posting this to my Facebook wall, just to make sure I hadn't missed it, they definitely know me & how much I love agriculture!

This was definitely the highlight of the Super Bowl in our house!The familiar voice of the late Paul Harvey reciting his speech he originally gave at the 1978 Future Farmers of America  (FFA) national convention, the words and images brought us pride and to tears.

When you watch the video on Ram’s website, and share a badge, the Ram Brand will make a donation to National FFA Organization (up to $1 million) and assist in local hunger and educational programs. My friend Kelsey did a great job expressing what this meant for agriculture.

Share this with your friends and family AND make sure you also vote for this commercial on YouTube.

It made me proud to be directly involved in agriculture and that my family has been all their life!

Lazy E Ranch & Arena

A few months back we had to go pick up a horse at the Lazy E Ranch in OK. I had heard about it, my parents had been there, and I have wanted to go check out this "famous" large facility.

 
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Lazy E, it is located in Guthrie, OK and hosts approx 25 large western events a year, ropings, sales, clinics, and more. Check out their website for more info.

I hope this gives you an idea of how large the arena is.

There are more facilites/barns/corrals/etc
This is the main office where we had to check in before picking up the horse. Lazy E is quite often a great 1/2 way mark to meet to exchange horses. They will board horses for people and handle the paperwork.

A Thread of Blue Denim

I am not sure if you are familiar with the book, "A Thread of Blue Denim" if not I suggest you order a copy on ebay or amazon! I loved it and have the other books in the series in my collection and hope to get them read soon. I was sad to hear that the author pasted away last week. I meet the author Pat Leimbach  over 5 years ago at an American Agri-Women convention in Miami. She and her sister drove down themselves from Ohio. At that time Pat was in her 70s and what a hoot she and her sister were, telling about their adventures on the trip and then the "situation" they got themselves into in a not so safe part of Miami!

I was lucky enough to see her a a few other conventions, what a unique and awesome country woman she was! Read this article I found about her passing and the legacy she left behind.....AND then go order her book!

Defending for my Masters!

Yep, sounds crazy but thats what they call it. I am currently in Stillwater, OK and will be taking the final step to get that diploma. As many of you remember I "graduated" last May. Well, I had to execute my conference for women in agriculture, Dirt, Denim & Diamonds  and then present to my committee; how it went, what I learned, etc. THEN.... I will officially be done! I would have liked to have completed this process a little sooner, but you can't rush certain things. I am just happy to be spending a few days in Stillwater. I plan to mix in a bit of shopping!

Photo Contest

Hey all, I'm asking for a little personal favor.........
Kansas Department of Agriculture is having a photo contest. The winning photos will be used in brochures, promo items- promoting agriculture accross the US and the world, websites, posters, etc

The voting is taking place on Facebook so visit KDA's Facebook page and like these photos. (some of you might recognize them from blog posts)

Country N' Classy

 Yesterday, I rode with CP while haying. This wasn't a planned ride, I just stopped by on my way out of town. While in the tractor I looked down and this is what I saw:

At this moment, I realized you can be Country N'Classy! Well, I knew it before...but this time I had proof, french pedicure and all!


This year they are ahead of schedule on haying. Usually, they start around July 4, however this year it was June 6 or so.

Raking the mowed grass.

The rake can combine 2 of the mowed rows,since it is 36ft wide. Definitely helps speed up the process.

I mentioned to CP how did people do this years ago, agriculture has progressed so much and the technology has made it more convenient and COMFORTABLE for many.

Burger King.....No Longer King (in my books)

Yep, Burger King too has fallen to the pressures of being more, "ethical/healthy" or whatever they choose to call it.

Burger King vows cage-free chicken and pork
Decision by the US No. 3 burger chain raises the bar for its rivals

I had heard the news last week and I started thinking about what we have talked about in my last grad level class, Communicating Ethical Issues in Agriculture.
Do people really know what they are doing and how it will effect others when they make these decisions?!

I was driving home the other day listening to K-LOVE radio and the dj was talking about the new plans for Burger King. He joked saying: who was going to be on egg gathering duty, how will they find the eggs, where will the chickens live, etc. He then asked if anyone listening could help him understand, "this cage free deal" ( I decided that was going to be me, I am emailing this post to him as soon as I finish it)
Interesting enough the dj's grandparents had a farm and I believe he grew up on one as well. I started getting upset about BKs new vow and that someone who grew up in an farm family had a lack of knowledge of what was going on. People assume that cage-free  or free range means that that the chicken is roaming free all the time NOT SO: According to USDA, free range means " Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside."  (Allowed access can mean that the chicken or pig was outside for 15 min.) Labeling is not as straight-forward and honest sounding as you might think or hope for. Even those against animal agriculture are not clear about proper labeling and regulations for cage-free. As of today there is not a strict and concise labeling for eggs in the United States.

We need to educate others (even if you think they grew up on a farm) about what certain terms in agriculture mean AND how these harmless looking steps can lead to something much worse. A fellow K-State grad blogged about this here.  Check out another great blog post here. We as producers and Ag Advocates need to have our voice heard- don't allow PETA & HSUS be the only voice that consumers are hearing!

Hippy-Not Hippie

One of my good friends raises goats. I went down to visit for a weekend to help dehorn the herd, which I will talk about in a later post but for now I want to just share some pictures of Hippy (my favorite) who because I didn't take the bottle baby home she went to the auction (still bitter about that!) and a few others. 
Hippy got her name because of her right hip's markings.

Hippy, is quite a nibbler and thought my blonde hair was straw....some days working with it, I think that myself.

What is Silage?

While feeding cattle I decided that I wanted to do a few posts on animal food stuffs. To some of you this might be old news, yet to others it might be totally new, either way I hope you learn a little something. This is a basic educational post.

SILAGE:
- High-moisture livestock feed

-It is fermented and stored in a process called ensiling or silaging, the lack of oxygen during storage is the key to silage production. Entrance of oxygen can spoil the feed

-Usually made from grass crops, including corn,sorghum/milo or other cereals, using the entire  plant (not just the grain).

-The crops are chopped to a specific size depending on the type. Usually it is 3/4inch

-Special terms may be used depending on type (oatlage for oats, haylage for alfalfa)

-Is made either by placing cut green vegetation in a silo, by piling it in a large heap covered with plastic sheet, or by wrapping large bales in plastic film.

-The optimal internal temperature during fermentation is below 100°F

-A good use of plant parts that might otherwise might go to waste.

 Close Up(the pieces are about 3/4inches each)

More Info can be found at these sites:
North Dakota State University -More in depth, and scientific (what I learned in college)
University of Florida- great info with pictures

Mistake?!

National Agriculture Day

You, I and 142 other people ate today because of one American farmer. We officially recognize our farmers and all they do to make our lives better on March 8, National Ag Day. Farmers not only produce food, fiber and fuel, they contribute to a strong economy. In fact, the total impact of agriculture and agribusinesses account for 20 percent of the state’s economy, according to Kansas Inc.

The role of farmers will become even more critical with the exploding world population. We reached 7 billion people in 2011. The United Nations forecasts that world population will reach 9 billion by 2050 – and that farmers will have to produce 70 percent more food than they do today.

Be part of  agriculture, if even just for one day. Take a drive in the country with your family, for instance. There’s no prettier green than winter wheat fields waking from winter dormancy. And, wave if you see a farmer. I guarantee they’ll wave back.

Happy Ag Day.