I'm pushy in the kitchen and thankful for Tuesday.

Family.

Such a simple word, with a powerful impact. When you leave home to begin a different life 1000 miles away you realize what that word means:

- Love
- Friendship
- Support
- Laughter
- Tears
- Respect
- Irreplaceable
- BBQ

I don't know about your family but mine, we eat. Most people plan their trips and visits around what they are going to see or where they are going to go but we plan ours around what we are going to make and who needs to visit the grocery.

Cooking is such a strong bond with my family and the Cattleman's family. What better way to get reacquainted than to push each other around the kitchen and mix a few creations your dying for everyone else to try since you've seen them last?

This past weekend parts of both of our family's came up for a visit to do none other than enter a BBQ contest. SO MUCH FUN.

We laughed, we played, we mixed a few adult beverages and stayed up way to late but had more fun than you can shake a stick at!

This being our first official contest we had high, but realistic hopes because frankly our smoked BBQ is awesome but we weren't sure we had the contest part down yet. And wouldn't you know it, we took second in both categories for ribs and beef tenderloin!!

All the boys did such a great job! That's our custom built smoker that the cattleman and cattleman dad fashioned.

So this Tuesday, friends, I am thankful for BBQ. Specifically St. Louis style ribs.

It's the most wonderful time of the, week! H54F!

That's right it's lunchtime on Friday, my most favorite lunchtime of the week besides Saturdays and Sunday's.

I've got big plans this weekend too, I am going to run a 10K tomorrow as long as my pointer toe (yes that is the scientific name) is feeling up to the challenge, I apparently pulled a tendon while blasting my previous 5k record out of the water last night. That's right I shaved and entire 2 min off my time! I blame it on actually sleeping and eating a balanced meal, apparently I'm growing up. Then in the afternoon the Cattleman and I are going to Fall Fest and Art in the park! Two awesome festivals on one day. I can hardly contain myself. Keep watch on instagram (alypen3060)  for updates through my activities. Annnd THEN on Sunday we will be practicing on beef tenderloins for our big upcoming BBQ Smoke Competition on Sept 22 our team name is Smoke Break teehee!

I wish all of your lives were as exciting as mine.

Let's get down to the dirty of why we are here, it's High 5 4 Fridays where I tell you my most favorite parts of the last few day's.

1. Buckeyes football fans have been voted the No. 1 fans in the NCAA. That would be THE Ohio State University and we are kind of a big deal. :)

The script Ohio was also voted No. 1 for best game day traditions last year, not that I'm bragging or anything.

2. I found this little number from Ranch House Designs and popped it onto my background because the truth is what it is.

3. This isn't really new but I feel it's such an awesome radio station app that everyone needs to get it because it's totes def my fav. It's The Red-Dirt Rebel out of Lubbock, Texas your one stop shop for all things Red Dirt.

4. I've got some made cat dance moves! Shout out to my friends Shawana and Mike for such a fabulous wedding! I'm glad I could dance the night away in your honor.

I'm not really sure what we are doing here but if I had to guess it's The Wobble and we look fantastic. The cattleman only enters a dance floor on two occasions 1. I drag him 2. If they play Ludacris...

5. I'm glad it's finally fall and am going to celebrate with all things pumpkin, cabbage and hard cider. I'd love for you to join!

So what's your favorite pumpkin treat?

Guess who's back, back again Aly's back, tell a friend

Now this looks like a job for me 
So everybody just follow me (@AgriQueen)
'Cause we need a little controversy 
'Cause it feels so empty without me

How's that for a throw back? You're welcome.

Ok so after a horrendously long absence I have a case of blog fever tugging at my shirt tail. I wish I could be one of those consistent weekly update kinda people but lets get fureal here that probably isn't going to happen in the near future. 

Just thought I'd break that to you. Don't be upset I value each and everyone of you  but as a full time employee, full time student, runner of the houser and mother to these adorable faces

I just can't get it done.

How I compensate: Numerous quick shout outs on Twitter and Facebook keep my bases covered most day's of the year. (Follow me on Twitter @AgriQueen) Oh, and for those of you out there in my shoes trying to convince your cattleman dearest that the new iPad is the latest accessory to match your black cayman Rios well it may work but from experience, a month and $700 bucks later ummm I still don't get tho job done. I even have one of these handy bluetooth keyboards!

On the agenda my Dad is coming to town next week with my Aunt!! I can't wait to spend time with them to show where I work and live, it's going to be great! We will eat tons food, watch football and skip happily down the yellow brick road.

OOk so after all that rambling out being gone... I just wanted to let you know I have a couple of exciting posts coming up in this next week! Also, if you remember a post from last year (Fall Delivery) we are getting geared up to bring in more of these calves in October I'll keep you up on the down low probably mostly on instagram  (alypen3060) I take really exciting pictures *wink*wink*

Until next time peace out girl scouts.

High Five Friday's

Aww young ones we meet again for our Friday social.

So i've been contemplating starting a petition to change the name of Friday to Firday. Why you ask? Well I have a couple reasons, the first is, I inevitably spell Friday as Firday (I just did it again...) every time I type the word out so this change would save me the hassle of using the backspace button and second because it just makes it sound so warm and cuddly like a soft place to warm after a long hard week. Genius, I know, now only if we can train it to start serving the margaritas at noon, I think I would be on to something....

My High 5's this week!!

1. This has been my gorgeous forecast all the week long! I love living in the dessert! 

2. I received Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman's new cookbook on Tuesday!! I was so excited because I pre-ordered it back in December so I didn't even have to think about it, the book just came to me. 

Yes I had it delivered to my office and yes I now own both books!
Groupie in it's highest form.

This cookbook is jam packed full of amazing recipes and I plan on trying a couple this weekend for our Shake Your Shamrocks party!! 

3.I discovered this excellent article about the correlation of red meat and a healthy diet and how the scientists who originally were "informing" the public that it was bad for your diet, didn't even use a relevant scientific study to determine this. It then shows you that red meat is NOT bad for you. Check it out here, you will be glad you did!

4. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY won in the second round of the tournament last night!! On the road to the championship, GO BUCKS!! If you couldn't tell I am a lil hometown proud... Oh and Go KState Wildcats, I guess your my new hometown lol.

5. I found this and it's freakin hysterical. Your welcome.

Happy Firday my lovelies!!!

Water Rights, Cattle Fights and Drought Sites! Oh My!

I am really looking forward to this weeks weather forecast not only because of the predicted warmth but because we also have a slim chance of rain!!

The most recent drought map

Moisture is needed terribly in our region (SW Kansas / Panhandle) because of the horrible drought we have been suffering through. Last year we only received a quarter of an inch of rain for an entire 12 month period at one of our feedyards just north of Liberal. It's dry. We have been in a state of emergency for near a year after the wild fire last spring.

Farmers are truly starting to fear this upcoming season for several reasons. First, many of them used so much of their water right's in the 2011 season that they actually started taking from their 2012 rights, already putting them behind on top of not getting any moisture this past winter.

 If you are not familiar with this terminology the legal definition of a water right is, a right to use in accordance with it's priority, a certain amount of water in  a specified time slot. Example: In SW Kansas the farmer that owns the water right is only allotted so many acres of water per year and if he goes over this allotment he will pay a fine and be deducted from the following year's allotment. However, last year when we were declared in a state of emergency, and it was instituted that no one will pay a fine it will just come out of the 2012 allotment because in order to get the crop to harvest or even the insurance cut offs, they had no choice.

The drought also effected the cattle production and market as well. Obviously when we have no moisture we have no grass therefore we have nothing to feed the cattle. I have never seen so much hay moving south in my life! It seem's almost every semi I pass is loaded down with hay out of the north heading to the panhandle and throughout western Oklahoma and Texas. There are many ranching operations out of the region that have gone to the extreme of moving their herds north in search of fruitful pastures. Those who could not find any, moved to late or flat couldn't afford it ended up culling (: to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal of especially weaker animals) much more of their animals than they normally would in order to sustain the quality of the herd on what they could afford to feed them.

The situation doesn't look any brighter coming into this next warm season. Experts are already forecasting a hotter and drier summer than what we had last year, increasing concern for farmers and ranchers. Irrigation systems are already making their rounds of the field and cattleman are still trying to plan the future of their herd.

The purpose of this post is to bring awareness to anyone who does not understand, comprehend or doesn't know about the situation we are in, in the South West. We are the heart of the cattle industry and if something doesn't change quickly, we will have even more severe consequences in the future than what you think we are facing now.

So my request to the readers is: go pull out your tom-tom and start doing the rain dance!!

High Five For Friday!!

Hey y'all!
That was pretty forced. I'm not southern. I'll stop now.

Well it's fabulously Friday and I'm going to share with you my five favorite things I learned/liked from this past week. Seeing as how it's National AG Week they are all going to be AG related. Eeps! An entire WEEK and POST all about loving agriculture it's an agnerd paradise!

1. The Peanut Farmer. Check it out here. Hallelujah for Reese's and PB&J!!

For your enjoyment:

2. This Diagram say's it all, there's no such thing as a vegan!! Cattle make our world go 'round and support nearly every aspect of your life. Eat beef = support your community. 



3. Truth: Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family. Found here.

4. It takes a combine 9 seconds to harvest enough wheat to make 70 loaves of bread!

5.  I am Ag Proud because without agriculture where would I be? Not only does it affect my life in the way of food and other products but it affects me in my monthly income as well. I aspire to inform and educate the consumer and my community, hopefully through my light and silly personality, as to how relavent it is in their lives as well. 

Thank you to my parents for investing such strong values and appreciation in my life for the men and women who make my meals possible but also for giving me the education to pursue my dreams!

Why are you AG Proud this week?



Kansas Ag Week: Teaching the Younger generations

Were you aware that there were 8 MILLION members enrolled in 329 thousand 4-H clubs and 4-H sanctioned programs? That 33% were in grades K-3, 39% grades 4-6, 16 % grades 7-9 and 9% in grades 10-12. I attribute the dwindling percentages in the older kids to joining FFA (Future Farmers of America) when they are of high school age.

Were you also aware that there are 33 MILLION school age children in the United States? That puts 4-H enrollment at only 24% of kids, which means that only 2.4 out of every 10 kids has ever had any influence of agriculture in their lives. Granted, there are some "farm kids" that are never in 4-H but that is more the exception than the rule.

Wyatt shaking up his ice cream for one
activity during their meeting.

Friends, we have a lot of work to do to touch the lives of these children and teach them the actualities of the agriculture world. There are several groups out there, not naming any names *cough, cough* PETA, set out to convince them that we are wrong and inhumane, if we don't show them otherwise then who is left to blame the kids for believing them? We are. We can no longer just assume that they are being taught correctly about our industry, because that is simply not true. Most are even 2 to 3 generations removed from agriculture which means in some cases their parents and grandparents aren't even educated on what we do for a living. Like I've said before it's time to take a stand, pull our boots up and get to getting, after all that's what we are good at anyway's , isn't it?

A good place to start is by encouraging  the younger generations that are already interested, to pursue a life goal in AG by showing them what a diverse culture we are as an industry, that they actually have options, you don't just have to be a farmer or a rancher. Dream big and go for the gold!

 Wyatt Gigot, the son of Marc and Jackie Gigot (Circle Heifer Development,) invited TJ McClure of Circle Heifer Development, LLC in Garden City, Kansas  to represent him for career day in his 4-H club, The Happy Hustlers.

 TJ set out to inform them of the different options they would have in the heifer development industry. He also, explained to them what actually goes on at his facility.

TJ McClure speaking to the Happy Hustlers
4-H Club

At Circle Heifer, they receive female Holsteins at the age of 6 months. They raise these heifers on a silage/roughage diet, expertly care for them with the help of a veterinarian, breed them and when the time comes send them happily back to the dairy and herd to which they belong. Each heifer has an individual i.d. that can trace their entire record while in the care of TJ and his crew to be sure that she has the attention she needs. Their goal is to provide high quality care, full service development and expertly chosen genetics for breeding to encourage a returning customer.

Examples of careers at his company are:

• General Manager - usually requiring a Bachelors of Animal Science background
• Large Animal Veterinarian 
• Animal Nutritionists
• Commodity Re-seller
• Artificial Insemination Specialist
• Office and Computer help
• Human Resources
• Cowboys
• Feed truck Drivers
• Mill Operators

Heifer calves being trained in stanchions at
Circle Heifer Development

One of my favorite questions from a member to TJ was, "What is your favorite part of your job?" He answered with, "The fact that our organization impacts the entire circle of life in the dairy industry.  Raising the calves from 6 months of age through breeding, we will hopefully see many generations of the same herd through our facility." 

A large point that he really wanted to drive home was that there are many many options for a career field in agriculture. A lot of the time kids are only acquainted with area their parents work in and don't realize how much our industry really has to offer.

TJ is a great leader in agvocacy and truly cares to teach others about his field. What are you doing to teach the consumer about your part?

I of course have to add this picture of Wyatt's little sister, she's too darn cute!

Lauren wanted to take a "silly" picture :)

Until  next time...

A Great Example of Agcovacy

Article from NCBA found at :

http://www.beefusa.org/newsreleases1.aspx?NewsID=2282
This article is such a great example of standing up and fighting for the rights of agriculture. I just want to give a big thanks to Mark Knight for representing all of us in Washington D.C.

What will you do to make a difference?

The Stand

I've been doing some thinking about AGcovacy and how I can get more involved. I love to talk about agriculture, commodities and beef production. My passion is in the cow-calf sector, but in reality every aspect of our industry is just as important as the next. The packer buyer is just as much of necessity as the rancher calving his herds at midnight in mid February, if we had one without the other we would have nothing. So as a team we need to support one another.

I have an issue that every time I come up with a great idea/story to write a blog post about it ends up being a research paper instead of a quick and easy post and in consequence never ends up on my blog. I am working on fixing this problem and any thoughts are welcome.

It's crazy to think, when you are so emerssed in the agriculture industry, that there truly are people out there that have no idea about how animals are raised, milk is produced and how meat gets to the counter. Even in small beef community's such as mine, there are children being raised with the idea that we are evil and our products are unsafe. They have no idea that without the farmer or animal grower there would be no trips to the grocery for that hamburger or lean steak, no cereal down the breakfast aisle and lets not forget the milk to soak it in. Teaching these reality's has never been so important as now. It is so crucial to stand united and to help the consumer discover the true story of beef instead of the imposed outright lies from organization's such as HSUS (the Humane Society of the United States.) What are you going to do? What actions will you be taking to help consumers discover the truth about you?

Join me in the stand for agriculture, not only to show the true light but to save an industry and feed the world.

Fall Delivery

I spent Saturday afternoon with my cattleman unloading calves out of Colorado. I really enjoy spending time with him doing something we both love so much. It was the perfect day too, the OSU Cowboys had a great win in the noon game and the weather was spectacular, 75 and sunny with little wind! 

Backing in the driver

Start the unloading

counting calves as they come off the trailer

double count

waiting on more calves

counting again (can you see a pattern yet)

sorting by sex

Calves in a holding area

holding area

Holding Area

turning lose

We unloaded seven trailers full coming up to 750 head of  fresh weaned calves. Needless to say it was an extremely noisy event due to all of the balling, but they're doing better now getting used to the new environment. I can't wait for next weekend we should be getting another 800!

- Affectionately, Tornado Aly