On Call
It is showering and cool as I write this column, but as all Southwest Missouri natives know, we are only “two weeks away from a drought." It is summertime, and with rising temperatures combined with rising humidity, heat stress will play an important factor in all cattle operations for the next couple of months. I would like to give an overview of heat stress and some recommendations for control of this profit robber.
Farm Finance
Most Americans die without a will. Even in cases involving extensive wealth I am amazed to see the difficulty people have in taking the necessary steps to implement a will. This is particularly an issue for farmers, owners and breeders of livestock and horse farms. Usually one's principal assets are tied up in the animals and land, and if you have no will there can be uncertainty as to what will happen after you die. Without a will, the continuity of your activity is something outside your control. Most people procrastinate making a will until it is too late.
Across the Ozarks
The summer has not been what any of us would have expected with rain, rain and more rain to quench our thirsty soil. We’ve probably forgotten what a drought even is at this point. But I haven’t forgotten. I’ll take my friends and family dodging rain days to get hay put up over brown, brittle pastures and the pain of feeding hay in August any day.
Headin’ for the Last Roundup
If you like old cowboy stories, here’s one you’re bound to love.
Life is Simple
Billy is a good, hard-working, country kid who loves to show cattle. He’s smart as a whip, too, which made me just want to sit back and enjoy the debate five years ago when he was stalled across the aisle from us at the local fair.