The Fence Post
*This column ran from April 2012 – July 2014 in print. It now runs online at www.championlivestock.com
It’s no secret that I love the show ring. I love the smell of shavings, preparing goats, the anticipation and the concentration required in the ring. I love to see the number of youth increase, and I love to see all people, young and old, competing with animals they love.
Published: June 9, 2014
Each year, the end of April marks one of my favorite seasons of the year. It’s not summer, but it’s show season.
Published: May 12, 2014
Finally, I am almost done with kidding season. It has spanned since the beginning of February, and I have had babies born nearly every week since that time.
Published: April 14, 2014
This last month has been one giant waiting game, which has left me with little sleep every night. However, that’s what it’s like when it’s baby season.
Published: March 17, 2014
So far this year, I have had several new things happen around the farm. The biggest item that I had was the completion of a barn, which took several weeks to build and wasn’t without headaches. Initially the barn was supposed to arrive Jan. 9, but because of storms across the country, it was a week late.
Published: February 10, 2014
Each January, I take time to look back at the previous year, and set my goals for the coming year. It’s a time of reflection and enthusiasm for me.
Published: January 13, 2014
Farming and ranching has come a long ways in the last decade in terms of technology. GPS driven tractors, water application and feed intake monitoring are just a few examples of some of the technology that is being used every day by today’s farmers and ranchers.
Published: December 16, 2014
Each November, I take time to sit down and remind myself what I am thankful for. This year, I am especially grateful to have a new home where I can have my livestock.
Published: November 11, 2014
Fall is hands-down my favorite time of the year. The leaves are changing color, the temperature is getting colder, and it also means one other thing: breeding season.
Published: October 21, 2013
Cool, crisp mornings are starting to become the usual, only meaning one thing: fall is here. For me that means the last goat shows of the 2013 year, and the beginning of breeding season. Last week, I attended the Colorado Boer Classic in Keenesburg, Colo., for my last Boer show before National Western Stock Show.
Published: September 10, 2013
July, August and September are three of my favorite months around the farm, not because of what I have going on at home, but because it’s the time of year that 4-H and FFA members around the country get to showcase all of their hard work and dedication.
Published: August 12, 2013
This last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend another goat show, the Tri-County Goat Show, which was held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colo. This was my third time attending this show, and the more shows that I attend, the more people I get to know.
Published: July 16, 2013
Spring can mean different things to different people. To me, it’s not only the time for new growth, but for the beginning of the show season. I look forward to it each year, and now that it’s begun, I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Published: May 6, 2013
Spring is one of my favorite times of year. Babies of many species are being born, and as the sun warms the earth, plants begin to emerge to soak up the sun.
Published: April 8, 2013
At the end of January, all of my Boer show kids and my show pigs had been born. I ended up with a total of 14 goat kids, and 10 piglets. All of the babies are still doing well, and are getting bigger and bigger by the day.
Published: March 4, 2013
They say that patience is a virtue. When it comes to kidding goats, this couldn’t be more true. They will kid when they want to, and no amount of coaxing or sweet talking will make them kid any sooner.
Published: January 14, 2013
November and December is the time of the year that people celebrate everything that is good in their life, and reflect on what they are thankful for. I have spent the last month doing the same thing, and have really taken some time to reflect on the things in my life that I am grateful for.
Published: December 1, 2012
November is the time of the year that I finally get to take a deep breath, and relax. Fair season is over, and it’s not yet time for National Western. We have had our first snow, and the goats are starting to grow out their shaggy coats in preparation for the cooler weather.
Published: November 5, 2012
October is one of my favorite months. The leaves are changing color, the temperatures are dropping and the air is fresh and crisp first thing in the morning. It’s also the time of the year that I get to breed the pigs, and start the process of fair pigs once again.
Published: October 8, 2012
Hands down, one of my favorite times of the year is fair time. It’s the time when 4-H and FFA members get to take the projects they have worked so hard at to a show, and compete against their peers.
Published: September 3, 2012
The rain spatters my windows as the tears spatter my cheeks. This wonderful journey has come to an end. It was not something I was expecting, nor something I was ready for. Unfortunately, death is a part of life. But this one was one of my hardest goodbyes. On Saturday, July 21, I lost the sow that started it all.
Published: August 22, 2012
July will be a busy month for me around the farm. I will be attending the American Dairy Goat Association National Show, I will be breeding my Boer goats and I will be farrowing out three sows for National Western Stock Show pigs.
Published: July 9, 2012
Every spring, new babies of all species are born in meadows and barns. New mothers lick their young, and they take their first breaths and steps in life. This is by far my favorite part of raising livestock, as newborn animals are so incredibly pure.
Published: June 4, 2012
There are few things that I love more than the smell of clean livestock, fresh shavings and show sheen. I realize to some this is very bizarre; but to me it’s heaven.This past weekend I got to experience all those smells with my goats at the Weld County Goat Extravaganza in Greeley, Colo.
Published: May 7, 2012
I can remember the day I got my first pig like it was yesterday. I had saved to buy her, and couldn’t wait to bring her home. It was the spring of my senior year of high school, and I took my parents to the pig farm from our house to pick her up.
Published: April 3, 2012
Rocky Mountain Collegian – Agricultural Columns – Listed in Order of most recent publication to oldest
Who will continue the family farm
Problem with the horse-processing ban
To water your lawn or water your crops
Know where your food comes from
Be prepared for higher food prices
Public lands can benefit from more than one use
Livestock producers face industry-changing rule
County fairs teach students, get community involved
It’s time for the new face of agriculture: It involves you
Cattle ranchers are some of the world’s real environmentalists
The price is right, but the organization is wrong
Deep down, we all have a little interest in farming and ranching
Yellow tail wine company turns tail on HSUS
Animal activist group portrayal misrepresented dairy industry
The real, not so ugly truth behind factory farms
“Food Inc.” represents the agricultural industry