I want to thank everyone that has called the office, emailed or text me personally about the feature we did on Alpha-Gal Syndrome. I was a bit concerned writing about something that could be considered controversial because everyone, including the medical profession has their own take on it. We do have some upcoming issues that will highlight some producers dealing with AGS and some more informational features on Alpha-Gal.
It has also been good to see the MU Extension and UofA Extension promoting education on AGS awareness. If you do not follow their Facebook pages, I urge you to do so as there are a lot of great resources. If you do not follow social media, give your local extension office a call and they can email you more information.
Producers out to the West of us in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas have been dealing with wildfires and livestock loss and although we do not provide resources for helping those affected, you can do some research and find out how you can help with funds, supplies or hay. Please do your due diligence and make sure you are dealing with a reputable organization before donating. Fortunately, the agriculture industry is known for rallying behind fellow producers, and we pray that those affected are able to get the resources they need to keep going.
On a lighter note, a couple of my show kids and I recently returned from the Dixie National Livestock show in Jackson Mississippi. I was warned it was a rough town, and my husband was concerned about me and 3 girls going alone. Of course, I had no worries as I never go anywhere except the cattle barn and hotel when traveling to shows. I am definitely not there to sightsee.
When we arrived in Jackson, one of the girls was the official navigator to the grounds, BUT the directions the show had listed on the map they included were incorrect! As we pulled down closer to the grounds, you could see the grounds to the right of the road, but the directions she read off said to turn left, so we did, which took us away from the grounds.
Once we got down about a block, we realized the map was incorrect, so we started to find a way to go around. As we got farther up the road, we saw a heavy police presence and because we had been warned about the town, we began to panic. Once we got to the end of the road it was completely blocked off for a mule caravan parade. They had music and were laughing and waving at us and the girls were embarrassed by all the extra attention which I thought was great and told them to get pictures.
Once they passed by we were able to make it around the block headed back to the fairgrounds. BUT now we were pulling in behind the mule caravan parade and had somehow managed to become a part of it headed into the fairgrounds. Once again, the girls were mortified, and I was dying laughing because here we are looking like the grand entrance for our arrival to the Dixie National Livestock Show. It is not every day you receive an escort to the fairgrounds by a caravan of mules and music. It was great!
Once on the grounds, we got the cattle unloaded with hay and water because they needed a break from that long trailer ride that started at 3:30am. We drove up to the barns so we could find out where we needed to unload all our tack. As we pull up, I notice several female ground workers that were in matching green and white striped pants with shirts and jackets that had DOC in big bold letters. I knew what they were but kept that to myself for the moment.
Once we began to unload and put our stuff up, I made sure the girls knew we needed to keep the truck locked and not to leave their phones or purses out in sight at the stall and to just be aware of their surroundings and to not go anyplace with the girls in the striped pants. Of course, that led to the conversation of why and I had to explain they were inmates from the Department of Corrections, taking out trash, cleaning bathrooms and picking up manure.
One of my girls had noticed them when we arrived, and she thought they were all dressed alike to go with the theme of the fair and I asked what theme she though DOC was? Another of the girls asked why they had them doing clean up and I explained it was for good behavior and that none of them were murderers. That most likely they were in jail because of drugs or beating someone up. I reminded them again to not follow those girls or go anyplace with them LOL.
We had a great time, met some new people and brought home a banner. We discovered our newest heifer does not like children or fire hydrants and that our big bull is tired of showing and would rather watch the show while laying down in the makeup arena. We managed to get out of there at a good time to head home but I still had to drive thru Arkansas in the dark which I am not a fan of. The new yellow night driving glasses I bought worked well although I looked like a dork. We ate a bunch of junk, drank a bunch of energy drinks and not enough water but we made some great memories those girls will always remember. Especially the one about not going with the girls in the green and white striped pants and that DOC is not the theme of ANY fair!
Debbie Elder is a native of Ottawa County, Okla. and lives on her farm in Webster County, Mo. To contact Debbie, call 1-866-532-1960 or by email at [email protected].
