Then we watched the bull sale today.

Click here for more photos.

Then we drove to Burlington, Colorado to the Pharo Cattle Company bull and heifer sale. Richard and I were the guest speakers at the producers meeting after the heifer sale today.

We spoke to over 70 very interested cattle producers.

Click here for more photos.

Richard and I attended the excellent Bud Williams Marketing and Stockmanship school November 6-8. Every time we visit the master we learn many new things.

Jim Lindsay of Low Stress Stockhandling in Australia, Jack Martin of Bar M Bar Ranch, and Richard discuss stockmanship at the school.

Visit stockmanship.com for more photos of the school.

Jim Gerrish and I were speakers at the Powerflex Fencing Customer Appreciation Day today. Jim spoke on “Grazing around the world,” and I spoke on “The Value of Stockmanship.”

Click here for more photos.

Richard and I attended an NCBA Stockmanship and Stewardship program at Joplin Regional Stockyards tonight. We were happy to meet the speakers we had been reading about for some time. They put on a program for the Stockyard employees in the afternoon and then another for the Stockyard customers (which we attended) in the evening.

Mark Wellman, NCBA Central Plains, East Region Representative introduced the group.

Todd McCartney, Cattlemen, cowboy and RFD-TV host, seasoned presenter on topics that impact the quality of your work and its effect on the beef industry.*

Ron Gill, Texas A&M Livestock Specialist and lifelong cattleman, nationally respected expert on cattle marketing, management, handling and BQA principles.*

Curt Pate, Effective stockmanship instructor and livestock handling advisor, renowned horseman, former auctioneer, life long rancher and chosen as AQHA’s 2007& 2008 Regional Experience Clinician.*

*Bios from the NCBA web page.

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Kit Pharo, An Peischel, John Ikerd, Laura Fortmeyer, Lemoyne Dailey, Richard Parry, and Richard and I spoke at the Grazing Lands Dollar$ and Sense conference August 7 & 8, 2008 in Oklahoma City sponsored by the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association.

We enjoyed speaking at the event and sharing information with attendees during the breaks. We also appreciated the other speakers and learned a great deal from them. Click here for more photos.

We have a nice group of sale barn calves started.

Richard gets them moving to see how they are feeling and if they “need anything.”

Here they enjoy the new section of grass and clover to graze.

This spring’s fantastic rains have lead to excellent forage!

Look at the height of that red clover!

Read Ann Barnhardt’s “Bud Williams Marketing” page to learn more about attending a Marketing School to learn the marketing techniques we are using on our stockers. Also, read Ann’s excellent blog here for lots of great information and editorials.

We have enjoyed working the the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan three years in a row and wanted to share this great example of the work they do.

May 28, 2008

For Immediate Release

The smiling faces of Saskatchewan farm families will greet pedestrians and drivers alike with the launch of the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (FACS) 2008 Billboard Campaign.

“These are the faces of active farm families and employees committed to responsible animal care,” says FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner.

A total of 23 billboards are being launched across the province between May 26 and June 30 , and each will be showcased for a period of four weeks. The billboards can also be viewed on the FACS website at http://www.facs.sk.ca/proactive_billboards.htm

The faces include families involved in dairy, equine, poultry, bison, beef and pork operations.

“What is most encouraging about this particular campaign is the fact that these are Saskatchewan families with young people directly involved in the operation of the farm or ranch who take their responsibilities seriously,” Ms. Buettner noted.

Reflecting the Billboard theme “On our farms … we care,” a new component of the campaign will present some of the young people in conversation through a radio series. The conversations are scheduled to be aired on CJWW and 92.9 The Bull from June 9 to 29.

“Hearing these energetic young farmers discuss their operations and how they feel about agriculture will certainly add to the authenticity of the Billboards in depicting agriculture,” said FACS Chair Shannon Meyers.

The FACS Billboard Campaign ran from 1996 to 2001, and resumed in 2007. The 2008 campaign is sponsored by:

Saskatchewan Bison Association

North American Equine Ranching Information Council

Saskatchewan Agriculture

Saskatchewan Chicken Industry Development Fund

Saskatchewan Egg Producers

Saskatchewan Dairy Farmers

For more information, contact:

Adele Buettner, Executive Director of FACS
Telephone: (306) 249-3227

Here’s a photo series of moving the cows to another grazing section. Notice how the cows are waiting quietly and calmly for the signal that it’s time to move.

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