Landscaping on the Great Plains is a losing proposition from the get-go. It does not help that I am not very good at gardening. It is even worse with pets and livestock. When we first built the ranch house, we knew we needed a dog. Every rural abode needs a protector, right? We found a … More I Cannot Have Nice Horticultural Things
Recently, hubby and I spent the day talking to high school sophomores about careers in animal science. We both have advanced degrees in this field (masters degree in ruminant nutrition) but our personalities and preferences have taken us to very different jobs. This makes us uniquely qualified to talk to students about the wide variety of … More Career Day–Future Animal Scientists?
We recently returned from a quick family trip up north to Manitoba. My middle son was enchanted by this field of canola and how small it made the grain bin look. I loved the bright yellow flowers and their contrast with the blue sky.
In addition to chasing wild tanks, we have also gotten to experience the fun of hunting down scared and stupid chickens after a critter raid. Did I mention that chickens are stupid? Not really important to this story, but still true. My sons have a colorful flock of chickens that are allowed to roam and scratch … More The Great Chicken Hunt(s) of 2014
The main purpose of this blog is to provide some laughs related to farm/ranch life. I am an optimist and I try very hard to see the”lighter side” of this profession. Anyone who is involved in raising animals for food knows that it is not always fun and games. All sorts of people are ready … More It Is Not All Laughs
All winter, the cows have been out on cornstalks. For those unfamiliar with Nebraska, cornstalks are what is leftover after a combine harvests the grain from a cornfield. The leaves and husks are good feed for cows. Of course, the combine never gets 100% of the corn , so the cows spend their first few … More The Cows Came Home
How far can the Nebraska wind blow an 11 foot tall, bright yellow, 3000 gallon capacity, 400 lb plastic tank? Read on to find out…. It has been windy around here lately. Like, 40-mph-sustained-winds, take-down-the- basketball-hoop, look-at-the-semi-truck-tipped-over-in-the-ditch kind of windy. We are used to wind (remember our tornado experience a couple years ago…) so we … More A Wild Tank Chase
Weatherman adjusts his specs Tells us about the “polar vortex” Hope he soon lifts this hex Damn, it is cold Cattle water is solidly froze They push on it with their nose For a new heater the rancher goes Damn, it is cold Cannot stay inside Animals must be spied Water, feed, care supplied Especially … More Damn, It Is Cold
Dear Lord, I don’t ask for too much A happy family, rain, & such But there is one thing I’d bring to your attention So small, hardly worth a mention That someday, when the land is paid And our hair is gone or grayed That, when we’re done with our turn on the land It … More A Farmer’s Prayer (or Rancher’s Prayer)
Fence Post Diaries 