Most of our area received some very much needed rain this past week. It varied from just a little to 2 inches, with most of us getting under an inch, but it was much appreciated.
I know some grass in places I have was looking yellow with a slight green tint, but other places are mostly green yet.
I was in Oklahoma City this past Sunday, and I heard a woman say, “Wow! You mean it is even going to rain on Mother’s Day?” I could tell by her tone of voice that she was hoping it would not. I think a lot of city people do not have any idea how dependent we are on moisture and how much that affects our profit potential. However, I know there are some ranchers in the east part of the state that have had all the rain they need for a bit.
I had a friend trying to buy me some long-weaned, thin grazing cattle, and he just sent me a video of them. I texted him back and said, “Wow! Were you drinking?” Those calves look too good to me.
It had been a few weeks since I had seen the killing cows and bulls sell at the auction. I was very surprised to see they are still bringing a very good price. Several bulls sold in the mid-$160 range and more with most cows with a little meat to them bringing $138 to $142.
On the area where we had the grass fires, I decided that the boys and I would rebuild the new fence. The youngest two were with me. I told them, “We will have to set a dead man over there.” They both looked at me funny. I don’t know whether that terminology is just from our area or nationwide, but in case you don’t know, that is where at the lowest point down a hill you put something under the ground with wire attached to pull the fence down. No, I didn’t shoot a man and have the boys trying to help me bury him in the fence line.
This past week I was invited to a surprise birthday party for a gal who just turned 40. Where does a cowboy shop for a gift? He shops at the truck stop. The truck stop didn’t have any birthday cards; however, I did find a bumper sticker that was appropriate.
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the view of High Plains Journal. Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family’s ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.
