BQA can eradicate SEP

Last week I got the oportunity to visit with some great cattlemen from around our region at the Arkansas Cattleman's Association Region VIII Meeting. This was the first regional meeting I have attended, but it won't be the last.
We had several great speakers, and I'd like to thank Independence/Jackson Cattleman's  for getting it all put together.
One of the topics covered last week was SEP.. For those of you that haven't heard of this ailment affecting not only the cattle industry but society in general, let me give a little disclaimer. First of all, I believe if your taking the time out of your day to read my blog, you are not affected by SEP, but you have seen it in others, and were probably frustrated by it. Secondly, I believe it can be eradicated from the state through word of mouth and education. Third and finally, I want to let you know that I am a 3rd generation cow/calf producer, and my Grandad taught me MANY things that I still use today. Also my dad has taught me a great many things, and will probably teach one or two more in time.
NOW....with that said..on to SEP. Arkansas is primarily a cow/calf state, and as such, most producers in this state, calve out their cows, wean the calves, then load the calves and cull cows into a stock trailor for a ride to the local auction barn, then sit back and wait for the check to come in.
What about those cows and calves in that trailer? Well, they are now Someone Else's Problem (SEP). And boys and girls...there lies the problem.
I remember growing up, we vaccinated twice a year, and where did the vaccines go? The first part of rump that presented itself.  That's just the way things were done around here back then. Was it wrong? No..not really. Was it right? No..not really, but what it was, was easy, and they were fixing to be SEP'd anyway. Did the order buyer at the auction barn, or the pen riders at the feedlot know this? Nope. But the harvest facility found it out in short order. While I'm not sure the exact way word got around, I can imagine that ten years ago a de-hided carcass on the rail was pretty hard to trace back to an particular market, or individual farm, but it was easy just to discount ALL Arkansas cattle and assume that SEP was statewide and affected every animal.
What can we do about SEP? We can educate! A few years ago I went through the BQA program, and became certified. During this course I learned the data about injection site blemishes and how much of the meat it affected. I showed up at the next "cattle workin" with a new syringe and some 3/4" needles for SQ injection. Boys...you shoulda been there for that unveiling!!
Sometimes in Father/Son operations (I'm the son by the way), you can suggest new ideas to the father, it will seem like his idea, and he'll go for it. Sometimes you just gotta show up with the new idea and stand your ground. I couldn't gaurantee more dollars per pound for the method, all I could prove was, that it was the right thing to do. If we're going to take an animal from birth to harvest, don't we owe it to the animal to use everything available and not purposally waste anything? I believe we do. After a little learning curve, it's the way I do things chute side now. If we could get EVERY producer in Arkansas to go along with this new "Cow Code of Conduct" it wouldn't be long before we are no longer discounted just because the calves came from the "Natural State".
It's not somebody else's problem, it's our problem, and we need to fix it. After all, like my grasndad and dad taught me (and yes it took a few years to get it through my skull), anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time.

The Start of a New Blog

Monday morning started off with rain that tapered off to a cold heavy drizzle in North Central Arkansas. While most folks would have preferred to pull the blankets back over their head and hit the snooze button, there were a select few of us who got up anyway, drank coffee, and after donning insulated coveralls and rubber boots, trudged out to meet the day.
We are the farmers and ranchers scattered throughout this country working hard every day. From the small scale farmer/rancher with only a few head of livestock, or a truck patch garden, to the large scale farmer/rancher with thousands of head of livestock, or thousands of acres of cropland. We all have the same job to do, and we all do it for the love of the job, not the money.

As I drove to the field this morning, I knew I had two newborn calves, and 3 more due any moment now. It was wet, it was cold, and by some measure it was even miserable. Did I complain? No!...This is the life I have chosen for myself, and I wouldn't trade it for all fame and fortune that other desire. Did I grumble? You bet I did, it was wet, cold, and miserable! And to top it off...my coffee had gotten cold!
Through the field I trudged, the "freshest" of the two babies was born a little before nightfall last night, and had barely had a chance to dry off before the rain had set in. His momma had him curled up under a cedar tree for shelter, and he was doing fine. The older of the two calves was playing in the field looking for someone to tussle with, unaware of what the weather felt like to the rest of us.
After feeding them, and walking through the rain to check each one for health and happiness, I got back in my truck and realized how lucky I am to have the job I have, and what a great story I have to tell each one of you about where your food comes from.
I will try to post regularly about agriculture related topics, all of my knowledge and experience is centered around beef. However I will occasionally re-post from my friends about all other aspects of agriculture.
If you have any specific questions you'd like answered, or topics that you think I should cover, feel free to drop me a line. You can find me on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/moody.cattle, email me at moodycattle@gmail.com.
Until next time,
Scooter

As Will Rogers would say.....When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut!!!!!

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco. 

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. 

3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works. 

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up. 

5. Always drink upstream from the herd. 

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging 

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back 
in your pocket. 

8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The 
few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the 
electric fence and find out for themselves. 

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from 
bad judgment. 

10. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and 
then to make sure it's still there. 

11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back. 

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he 
started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. 

The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut