LiFe LeSSons fRoM a coWBoy to HiS dauGHter

Life Lessons from a Cowboy to his Daughter

My dad is a cowboy
His rules are my roots.
He taught me his ways-
 I followed his boots.

To a gun-fight don’t bring
A knife, he once said.
Always follow your heart
But don’t lose your head.

I knew I could jump
Whenever I felt froggy
But I was never to let
My pack become soggy.

He saw through my games-
Even at my worst.
Because my rodeo
Was never his first.

Finally-I should rein
With a strong, sure hand
Because as long as I live
I’ll ride for his brand.

by Amanda Stavropoulos

Poem of the Week for 10/19 

Cowboys and Indian Magazine

sEcrEts, TwInKLes, & JoY

"The gentleman had a twinkle in his eye, a spark, as if he had discovered the secret to life and it brought him much joy."

I am not a journaler. Okay so big deal right? Well, I always think of people who journal as the ones who never have to rummage thru their purse (or truck console for you guys) when they need a pen, or heck just to find the ol drivers license;) Along with fervent organizational skills, I think of those who journal as those folks who no one can say a bad word about. They talk softly, walk softly, laugh demurely, and never speak out of turn. Yep, a journaler is everything everyone hopes & prays I might become!! :P I too used to hope to became a journaler, as I was reminded when I came across my ill-fated quest for journal success. The funny thing about irony is that as my 26th year came & went, the chaos I seem to embody did not. And so the journal got buried in a box if chaos. As my 27th year fell upon me, my aspirations embodied something more akin to a 'weekend journaler'. See, the weekend journaler is accustomed to daily chaos but looks forward to basking in the relaxation of a good ol fashioned structured, white picket fence weekend...every now & then;)

I recently found myself {once again} feverishly packing for an unplanned move. While this move is not intended to find me living beyond my county borders, it was nonetheless, highly unplanned & a result of less than ideal circumstances. Since no day in the life of this gal would be complete without a side sprig of gypsyness, these thoughts have been plucked straight from the shady nook of an all too familiar a storage unit. As I rummage thru totes, boxes, & bags I find myself blessed beyond recognition as someone above offers my rest for my weary soul in the form of a shady storage unit & a long unopened journal.

On this very day I wonder how many of us find ourselves hiding from our past, cursing our present, and backing away from our future. It's on days like today that someone is trying to come in close to stop the second hand and show you this very moment in time.Where finding that unfinished journal bears no resemblance to shame or failure but instead gratitude for the words recorded & the hope they replenish. What we have is what we have....not have not. A sparse journal, a sparse bank account or a sparse society...may we see what ee have in each rather than what we have not. May our eyes be open today to seeing that we have before us everything we need to carry this day onto completion.

"Invitations to Jesus come to us in many ways sometimes thru circumstance, an opportunity that opens before us. Sometimes thru other people who see something that we may not yet see, they invite us to step forth in some way. ...We don't get to wait to offer our lives until we have our acts together. We do not get that luxury. If we did, would anyone EVER feel like offering anything"

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EverY gIrL

Well she was born in the morning late October San Antone
Aw she’s every girl I’ve ever known

Well she was born in the morning late October San Antone
Aw she’s every girl I’ve ever known
She don’t talk about religion she talks about the stones
Oh she’s every girl I’ve ever known

And her tongue is like the Devil when she tries to concentrate
She says she don’t want marriage but she still believes in fate
And she stands her ground to defiantly but cries when she’s alone
Oh she’s every girl I’ve ever known

Now her voice it is a melody that sings just like a bird
Oh she’s every song I’ve ever heard
And her heartbeat is a rhythm that commands her every word
Aw she’s every song I’ve ever heard

She reflects the world in happiness and echos all the pain
Her smiles the world of sunrise her cries to make it rain
And she hides the truth discretely you’d have to take her word
Aw she’s every song I’ve ever heard

She’s a sober Sunday kitchen conversation with my dad
Aw she’s every friend I’ve ever had
Well we never failed to cut a trail whenever times were bad
Oh she’s every friend I’ve ever had

She’s a flighty good time buddy in the corner of the bar
But she’d fight the Devil for ya just for being who you are
And she’s the last to cast a stone though she’d love to leave you mad
Aw she’s every friend I’ve ever had

Well she was born in the morning late October San Antone

(Turnpike Troubadours)

Benefit for Children of Janis Davis & Ned Kayser

It is our faith in God, family, and friends combined with our compassion for others that bring about a strong bond of community and love.  From our souls, there come words which can bring healing to a broken heart and renewed hope to a sagging spirit that tomorrow is going to be a better day.  It is from our pocket books that the reality of tomorrow's basic needs are going to be met; and it is from that vein of thinking that this is being offered.

A fund raiser has been started with the proceeds going to the children of Janice Davis and Ned Kayser.

Ned Kayser (center) Centerville, WA April, 2011 Kayser Branding

Hopefully, this will help some good kids out!  A 2011 foal by Frenchmans Guy out of the Dash Ta Fame mare, Lady's Famous Number will be used as the fund item.   "Lady" has made over $30,000 in barrel earnings and is currently being campaigned.   Only 275 tickets at $250 each will be sold. The event will start on June 25tht and will continue until such time that all 275 tickets are sold...when they are gone...they're gone.   Your receipt will have your number as well as your address and phone number. The drawing will take place on Aug. 28th.   There will also be a consolation prize winner!   A 2011 foal by Frenchmans Falcon will be given to the second ticket drawn.  So you have two chances to win an outstanding foal by either of these exciting father/ son sires.  Winners are responsible for picking up foals from Granger, WA within two weeks of drawing.  AQHA transfer papers will be given at that time.

We need your involvement in getting the word out about this opportunity to help.   Please email or tell everyone you know about this event.  They can email Cindy at cindy@westerncrossings.com or call Cindy at 1.509.439.1227 to buy a ticket or get more information.

tHe DaiLy CoWMaN

So proud to present you with this Cattlemen to Cattlemen "Day In the Life" segment with our Washington Cattlemen's Association President, Larry Olberding and his family! I am honored to have the chance to work with Larry through our state Cattlemen's Association. He has truly walked the talk in supporting the younger generation coming up in our Cattle Industry. Keep in step with Larry by following him on Twitter as well as reading his blog, The Daily Cowman. You WiLL never be without a laugh & smile after checkin' in with Mr. Olberding!

Fighter - Cancer battle Fighting with Dignity

In memory of John Douglas Feusner, Larry James Lampkins, and countless others who have taught us how to fight with honor and courage.

“Take the Road Less Traveled”. 

The words stared back at me, never more poignant. You see, what was hidden behind those words, tucked deep inside the package, had been source of great anticipation. I already knew about taking those roads that are not traveled by many. The roads that are dirty, uphill, rough as heck, jar every bone in your body and make you say things that would make a church lady blush. There is no discrediting those trips can wear a man down. However, the scenery encountered on those roads is so rare and beautiful; you always find yourself praying its memory will be forever burned in your mind and in your soul. As the full memory of the road & its beauty came back to me, I found myself tearing into that package with renewed joy and a new sense of FigHt!

Just few weeks before I was innocently partaking in a lil Junk Gypsy “window shoppin” when something caught my eye. This time it was not bright and shiny, but instead heartfelt and inspiring. “Kickin’ Hiney and Takin’ Names” splashed across my screen. Clearly, with a title like that they had me at hello. It seemed the Junk Gypsy gals wanted to FIGHT and when you pair two sisters from the Lone Star State with a dad who is fighting a battle against cancer, this will be a fight worth watching! Y’all that have been down this road, know full well that certain battles are NEVER to be fought alone.

cancer…it stinks. and i would pretty much assume there isn’t a single person out there whose life has not been touched in some way by that ugly, stinky word. you know people that have lost the battle, you know some that are currently in the trenches of war, and thankfully you know those that have won the FIGHT.

or possibly, YOU are currently courageously, boldly, fighting the fight. the gloves-are-off-take-no-prisoners-fight-of-your-life. we salute you.

and here’s the good part. the part we’re really pumped about…we are working on a new design. a new design to HONOR and CELEBRATE all of the cancer survivors & fighters & true-blue warriors out there. we are doing a call for names. for the names of anyone & everyone who has been through the CaNCER war. NAMES in honor, in celebration, in memoriam.

and the even better part…we’re going to print EVERY name we receive on our new design, print it, and SELL it. and 100% of the profits will go to the LIVESTRONG foundation working hard in the fight against cancer.

(Junk Gypsy Blog)

Now THIS was a fight I could get plum excited about. I had TwO very important tasks & oNe very important deadline before me. I needed to get my personal FigHter’s name typed out ASAP & then send this information on to a friend who had lost her own father one month before mine. The Gypsy gals ended up having almost 1,000 names to spread out over five shirts…but wouldn’t it just be like fate that those two important names can be found on the same shirt!

…Cancer. Jazz it up, strip it down, make it emotional, interpret it scientifically, cuss about it or write it a love sonnet. No matter what you do to Cancer, it just is what it is. It might be the worst thing that happens to you or frankly, it might be far from the worst boulder to ever roll onto your trail. If Cancer does affect your life one day, if Cancer is affecting your life right now, or if Cancer has affected your life in the past, what are ya gonna do about it? The way I see it, you only have one option. You are going to FIGHT. You will fight every way you know how. If you are not actually the person whose cells are going crazy then you will fight FOR that person. We all are given a pretty minuscule set of expectations when we make our debut into this world. The basic expectation is to L-I-V-E. I don’t know about you but I think we better just hunker down & get to workin’ on that task.

Summer 2006 - A quick visit from the folks during my summer job at the E Bar L, Greenough MT.
 2-3 yrs into his Cancer FIGHT

People always preach to my generation about having no regrets. My ideal scenario of having no regrets often seems starkly different than the ideals of my peers. I think it would be swell to travel the world, but honestly if it doesn’t happen, then I see no sense in discrediting all the wonderful life experiences I have been given. I have already been there and done that when it comes to things most folks commonly regret…and yet…I still don’t want to change a thing. All of the junk in our trunks is part of where we’ve been and I know we can never get to where we are going until we know where we’ve been. Personally, the only thing I will ever regret in life is if I am not a FigHteR. With the exception of the schoolyard bully I set straight in 2nd grade, I try to keep my fighting limited to fights within my soul. Cancer is just that…it is an all out battle of your soul...and those are the kind of battles well-worth fighting for.

So how exactly are you plannin on fightin’ your fight? We all know that every good battle has a battle plan. Before you can even dream of having a stellar legacy, the tough question must be asked. Do you even have it in you to be a FigHteR? As long as you have a little heavy dose of “try” in ya, then we can get down to crafting this footloose & fancy free plan of action. Yep, footloose and fancy free.

1.  Go find yourself a sense of humor.

Lord do I hope that by now you tripped over a sense of humor somewhere along the dirt road.

2.  Find some inner joy...yesterday.

I know I am doing something right when it takes very little to light my enthusiasm. Folks, let me tell ya, you know you’ve trekked up some steep & dusty mountain roads when all you need for pure unabashed joy is a Mr. Freeze Popsicle! Popsicles may not do it for you, but you best find your own frozen joystick and find it fast. This fight is all about being blinded by joy instead of being blind to joy.

3.  Lose the ‘tude.

Now is not the time for pride. Period.

4.  R & R.

Not the kind best served on ice. This is of the rest and relaxation variety. I suspect R&R is a new concept and might be tough to learn. However, I have faith old horses can be taught to drink the water. This variety of R & R is also best consumed in moderation. Too much rest and relaxation kills the fight. Too much rest equals too little living. If your current view of living looks mostly like working you might want to spruce up the scenery just a touch. If you are fightin’ this fight chances are you have asked “why me?” It is perfectly okay to ask “why me?”, just as long every Q & A round ends with the question, “what now?”. A new chapter has been added to your book. Somebody else out there needs to read that chapter. And they need you rested, refreshed, and back to work!

5. NEF – Nutrition, Education, Fitness.

a.  Nutrition –Time to ditch the cowboy breakfasts & lunches. Ie. a pot of coffee for breakfast and a Snickers bar in the afternoon. You are gonna have to start chewin on something besides coffee grinds in the morning & dust off your superhero lunch box. Read Beating Cancer With Nutrition It is large, it is in charge, and it is a little left of center. READ IT!

b.  Education - Dust off your reading glasses and start studying! Don’t OD on the cancer forums & blogs, they become dreary fast. If you want to arm yourself with knowledge, then surround yourself with the progressive crowd. GRACE, is a “Cancer” website with my personal endorsement. Its founder, Dr. West, is a renowned Lung Cancer Specialist…and lover of a good steak! GRACE is a nonprofit foundation with a vision to provide cutting edge cancer education to patients and caregivers. You won’t find posts about people feeling bad but you will find a breath of fresh air and plenty of information about treatments & research. You will find….HOPE. Dr. West has hope. He has hope in his business. As a cattleman you two should be able to relate quite well. You are hedging grass, he is hedging treatment options. You both know what is like to have the odds stacked against you but both still have hope in your business. You set the tone for your battle. If you want this to be a fight filled with joy & hope then stop hiding your light behind the sagebrush. Be the valiant leader of your healthcare team, they WILL follow.

c.  Fitness – SURVIVAL of the Fittest. The first month into my father’s almost 6 year fight, I gave him loving, sweet advice.  “Don’t be stupid”. And I meant it. Prognosis means NOTHING to me, luckily my father & I agreed. Don’t waste my time telling me your guess. Only God knows the hairs on my head & the number of my days. Prognosis aside, my father still had been diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer…at Stage IV. I said no more running…he agreed. However, this is all about the fight. So with that, John Feusner became an official member of the Yakima YMCA. In between us riding pens or doctoring cattle, my dad and I would often go to the gym together. In fact, my dad continued working out even through his second hip replacement. Make your soul fit, and your mind will follow. Survival of the FiTTesT.

I have not actually fought the fight of Cancer. I wish my father could be here to share some of his infinite wisdom with you. What I think he would tell is to just keep, keepin’ on. Just keep LIVING. Keep WORKING. I like to think in his own diplomatic way he would tell you to not screw up this opportunity. No matter if he said that or not, his actions certainly told us to not screw up an opportunity to live life without regret. You will either view Cancer as a disease that strips you of all opportunity or one that brings new opportunity. A few months before my father passed away he asked me if I remembered what I had told him five years before. I panicked thinking back to what on earth might have slipped out of my 20 year old mouth. He proceeded to take me back to our first conversation after his grim diagnosis. I had made him go for a 2 mile walk with me in the dead of winter and gave him a reality check. The reality for my father was that this could be treated as just another day in the life. His wife had survived a horrific car accident, coma, and brain injury. He had not let car accidents and comas stop him so why would he be derailed by cancer? His only option was to keep on living just as he had been…and maybe even live just a little bit better! Cancer didn’t strip us of opportunity, it created new opportunity. Memories were made. Regrets were banished. New ambition was born.

Cancer is no different than any other day you have lived. You are given an opportunity. Everywhere you look you will find an abundance of wisdom, knowledge, and love just waiting to be received. Look for those gifts no further than in the faces of your family, your medical team, your friends, your industry peers, and many others.

(More information can be found on my “NSCLC/Cancer” page, including links to Cancer GRACE, where to buy Beating Cancer With Nutrition, & how to snag your own Junk Gypsy “FigHter” Tee.)

Previously published in the June, 2011 edition of The Washington Cattlemen's Association periodical The Ketch Pen

Too MUCH Water???

See below for the USDA Risk Management Agency Press Release regarding the cold & extremely wet weather conditions seen across the Northwest all Winter..I mean "Spring" ;) I think its best not to complain about too MUCH precipitation on the Eastern side of the state...however...between the FREEZING spring we've had & now the crazy rain & floods that ensued...this is gettin' to be a head scratcher. We aren't in a drought & we aren't on fire...always gotta find that silver linin'?! :)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Contact: Jo Lynne Seufer, (509) 228-6320

jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov

Options for Farmers with Delayed Planting from Wet Conditions

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 ---Cool and extremely wet weather in the inland Northwest has caused crop damage and slowed planting this spring. Dave Paul, Director of USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) Spokane Regional Office, encourages producers faced with questions on prevented planting, replant or crop losses this spring, to contact their agent for more information.

Producers who are unable to plant an insured crop by the final planting date due to an insurable cause, such as excess moisture and flooding have a number of options.

· Producers may plant the insured crop during the 25 day late planting period with a reduction in the production guarantee of 1 percent a day for each day planting is delayed after the final planting date.

· Producers may leave the acreage idle and receive a full prevented planting payment or the producer may be able to plant the acreage to another crop after the late planting period and receive a reduced prevented planting payment.

· Producers with double cropping history can receive a full prevented planting payment within the guidelines of the policy.

· Prevented planting coverage will not be provided for any acreage that does not constitute at least 20 acres or 20 percent of the insurable crop acreage in the unit. Producers need to keep in mind that group policies do not provide prevented planting coverage.

"Producers who are unable to plant due to excess moisture need to contact their insurance company to discuss prevented planting policy requirements related to their specific coverage and farming operation." said Paul. "The producer's insurance company will make the final determination of acres eligible for prevented planting payments."

Paul encourages producers to contact their crop insurance agent for assistance. Producers can also get crop insurance information on the web at: www.rma.usda.gov.

Local crop insurance agents are available to provide program details that reflect the grower's nursery inventory. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the U.S. or at the web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (80) 795-3271 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Jo Lynne, Spokane RMA

Jo Lynne Seufer, Risk Management Specialist

USDA/Risk Management Agency

Spokane Regional Office

(Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)

11707 East Sprague Ave, #201

Spokane, WA 99206

(509)228-6320Office

800-205-9953 (in AK, ID, OR, WA) Toll Free

(509)998-6902 Gov't Cell

(509)228-6321 Fax

jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov

www.rma.usda.gov

SpRinG fEvEr

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want-oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

~ Mark Twain

Wheat Life, May 2011 "Farmer near Ritzville, WA spraying weeds"

I tore this picture out from May's edition of Wheat Life and hung it on the wall near my desk at work. The clouds in this picture make a soul just ache... beauty like this was not meant to be ignored, it was designed with perfect intention. This picture is a representation of feeling. You can not truly understand the ache in the soul until you have been under the sky when those clouds look to be moving too quickly by. The sky in this picture will stop you in the middle of even the most aggravating & exhausting handline set. It will take the air from your lungs, empty your soul, and yet fill it even fuller all in a moment.

...Spring, perfectly intentional by design

L-I-V-I-N the DrEaM

Livin’ the Dream

Imagine someone asking you, “What are you up to these days?” and you respond, “Oh, just livin’ the dream.” Does that scenario have a familiar ring to it? I recently mentioned to someone that perhaps they need a tattoo on their wrist that reads in big bold letters, L-I-V-I-N the DREAM. That way when they find themselves slapping their hand to their forehead, a sure and steady reminder of their grand life will never be out of reach.

Often when we answer a question with a phrase like “living the dream” we might just throw in a drop or two of facetiousness with it. However, what would happen if we actually started believing we were living a dream? I recently read that the United States ranks well below other industrialized countries in the areas of Math and Science. However, our students rank shockingly high in one particular category - self esteem. Whew, that is a relief! At least we can find great comfort in that our low intelligence will not damper our spirit and sense of self.

Now that we are armed with the knowledge of our greatest attributes we know just how to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Since most of us are products of the United States Education System we can rule out that our intelligence will propel us forward. It looks like we will have to resort to putting our unusually high self esteem to work. Do not despair just yet; this self esteem business has a few decent qualities we can tap into. Folks with high self esteem believe they can do anything they set their mind to. That might also be due to a lack of intelligent judgment but for this article we will ignore that argument. When a person believes they can do anything or be anyone, they will have an infinite number of dreams to be dreamed and schemes to be schemed.

Now do not misconstrue my words, I am in no way discrediting the importance of possessing intelligence. Instead, I am raising the question that perhaps a solid self-esteem can make up for whatever intellectual shortcomings we may have. Instead of using a phrase such as “Livin’ the Dream” in a facetious manner when someone inquires about your life, what if we actually began to believe we were livin’ the dream? We may not be living some folks’ dreams, heck, we may not be living out our own dream, but most likely we are living out someone’s dream. At this exact moment in time, there are a greater percentage of people in this world who’s greatest dream is simply to survive. Perhaps they lie awake at night wondering how they will scrounge up food for their children, wondering when the gunfire will cease, or fighting a ferocious disease and praying for one last breath of air to breathe. In an instant our own dreams and ambitions appear as shallow and superficial as those of the Kardashians.  

I do not know at what point our contentedness with the unfolding of our lives just becomes settling for less than we are capable of. However, I do believe we need to use this self esteem/intelligence combination as a mechanism for always striving to work harder and dream bigger. No matter how twisted the path we are being led down, once we succeed at keeping our feet on the ground and our eyes to the sky then we will truly be “L-I-V-I-N the Dream”.

Wish I was down on some blue bayou,
With a bamboo cane stuck in the sand.
But the road I'm on, don't seem to go there,
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.
Wish I enjoyed what makes my living,
Did what I do with a willin' hand.
Some would run, ah, but that ain't like me.
So I just dream and keep on bein' the way I am.

The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.

~Merle Haggard

(Previously published in the April, 2011 edition of The Ketch Pen, a monthly periodical of the Washington Cattlemen's Association. Subscription information here)

Listen/Watch The Way I Am performed by Miranda Lambert

Savory Sirloin Summer Salad

Savory Summer Sirloin Salad

1 bEEf ToP SirLoin Steak, cut ¾” thick

1 tbsp Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning

1 medium Sweet Onion, cut into ½” thick slices

6 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce

1 medium tomato, sliced

4 hard cooked eggs, peeled & sliced

New York Style Sea Salt Bagel Crisps

Dressing

1/3 c. red wine vinegar

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. Olive Oil

2 tsp. Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend

Combine dressing ingrediants in small bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup dressing for salad. Brush remaining dressing on onion slices.

Press 1 tablespoon seasoning blend evenly onto beef steak. Grill over barbecue or cook in pan on stove. (160 degrees = medium doneness)

Grill onion 10-12 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.

Carve beef into slives. Arrange lettuce in large bowl/serving platter then top w/ steak, tomatoes, onions, & eggs, drizzle with reserved dressing. Serve w/ Bagel Crisps if desired.

If you haven't thrown out (recycled, etc) your Sunday paper you can find this recipe in a coupon insert along w/ a coupon for the seasoning, bagel crisps, and BEEF! (Who doesn't love bEEf & BudGeTs?? ;>) Best of all this Salad is 24 Day Challenge FRIENDLY!! My mom & I are wrapping up the Cleanse phase of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge! Weight loss was not my goal w/ the 24 Day Challenge, but to reduce pain & joint troubles. However, I am exactly 1 week into the Challenge and 8 pounds have melted away....I probably shouldn't complain about that! More importantly, after 24 hours of "clean eating" the 3 week arthritis flare-up I'd been in (worst flare-up to date), seemed to be on its way out. For the first time in MONTHS I didn't sloooowlly hobble & limp the few steps from my bed to my dresser to fumble Ibrufen out of the bottle, immediatley upon waking up! Find out more information on Advocare HERE

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Clean Water ReeKs like Dirty Land Grab

 Received an update today from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers regarding Federal Government's grab for land (aka Control & Power) disguised under the umbrella of water.  I've included an excerpt below. I had the pleasure of meeting her in almost two years ago during the D.C. leg of my NCBA Young Cattlemen's Conference. Continue to be impressed by the presence she has made in D.C & the work she has done for our state & nation. Those of you in the 5th Congressional District of WA best hold tight to this great asset!

"...last week the EPA issued a "guidance document" which would allow the Agency to regulate small navigable bodies of water. I am strongly opposed to the EPA's decision because it will substantially infringe on property rights, resulting in confusion, permitting delays, and added costs to farmers and small business owners in Eastern Washington.
The EPA's "guidance document" is not only the wrong policy, it's also the wrong process. By issuing "guidance" before conducting any rulemaking, the EPA is violating the principles of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The APA sets the standards for the activities and rulemaking of all federal regulatory agencies, and is designed to ensure those agencies use open, uniform, and fair procedures.
A few weeks ago, I signed onto a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson opposing the Agency's consideration of this "guidance document." To read that letter, click here.
In light of the EPA's announcement, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, said he will hold hearings on the "EPA's practice of circumventing the regulatory process." I will keep you posted on those hearings and all other developments. No matter what, I am committed to fighting against the EPA's job-crushing policies.
Thank you for your interest in this issue. As always, feel free to contact me about property rights or any other issue you care about.
Warm regards,

Cathy

P.S. - For daily updates, subscribe to my Facebook and Twitter news feeds.

 (Photo Credit: AmericanTradition.org )

CME Ag Report - Opening Calls 4/13/11

Below is today's Opening Call Corn/Ag Report Commentary from the CME....everything in this report indirectly relates to my everyday job...aka now I actually have a valid excuse for my nerdy nighttime reading...it relates to my paycheck...yep...major GRACE MomenT! ;) What was one of your gRaCE moments of today? 

Corn: Ag Report 
(CME Daily Market Commentary)

** OPENING GRAIN CALLS **
Corn: 5 to 7 cents higher; tight old-crop stocks, planting delays.
Wheat: 4 to 6 cents higher; weather concerns in the Plains.
Soybeans: 7 to 10 cents higher; short-covering.
Meal: $1 to $2 higher; spillover from soybeans.
Soyoil: 30 to 50 points higher; spillover from soybeans, crude oil.

Following yesterday's sharp losses, grain futures were higher on short-covering overnight amid ideas losses were overdone. But futures only recouped a portion of yesterday's losses in overnight trade. If grain futures can build on overnight gains, however, it would suggest yesterday's round of liquidation pressure has run its course. Additionally, outside markets are price-supportive this morning. The dollar is slightly weaker, while crude oil and gold futures are firmer.
Ongoing concerns about tight old-crop corn stocks and planting delays are expected to bolster corn futures this morning. Cooler temps are entering the Corn Belt, with a more active precip pattern seen into early next week. As a result, traders are becoming more fearful of a late start to the planting season in the Corn Belt.

Weather is also a worry for the hard red winter wheat crop. This week's light rains are not enough to erase the drought, maintaining crop stress.
Traders in the soybean pit are digesting news Chinese buyers are negotiating to cancel or defer delivery on 10 cargoes of South American beans. Tightening crush margins have left importers overbooked.

** OPENING LIVESTOCK CALLS **
Live cattle: Steady to firmer; yesterday's losses overdone.
Feeder cattle: Steady to firmer; spillover from live cattle.
Lean hogs: Steady to firmer; short-covering.

Livestock futures are called to open steady to firmer on ideas yesterday's losses were overdone. General commodity buying was seen in overnight trade, leading to expectations for spillover into the livestock markets this morning.
Cash sources look for packers to more actively bid for cattle today, but that doesn't mean higher cash cattle prices are expected. While boxed beef prices have stabilized on improved movement, expectations are for steady to weaker cash cattle trade after yesterday's sharp pressure on futures.
Live cattle technicals also weakened after yesterday's island-top formation in June live cattle -- suggesting a high has been posted.
Additional support in the lean hog market is expected from yesterday's sharp recovery in pork cutout values, helping to boost packers' profit margins. The cash market is expected to be mostly steady today, but some firmer undertones are possible as packers compete for tightening supplies and still need to fill late-week needs. Downside risk in April lean hogs will be limited by cash strength ahead of Thursday's expiration.

(WA Feeder Cattle Cash Prices - 4 weights sold for $175 Last Thursday @ Toppenish Livestock Commission's special Feeder Sale. Avg weight: 595# Avg Price: $162/100 wgt, 1342 steers & heifers sold)

Humble Lessons Learned~PNW Young Cattlemen's Conference

Pacific Northwest Young Cattlemen’s Conference

Humble Lessons Learned

A few days ago I found myself once again sitting on what has now become a staple ride in my life, the ever infamous tour bus. As I was traveling the countryside along I-84 just south of the Washington border I realized the cattle industry has in fact brought a constant to my life. In the past three years if there is one thing I can count on it would be that a ride in a tour bus through barren countryside will most definitely find its way on my yearly agenda! It seems any shenanigans I am involved with can be traced back to those inconspicuous tours with ‘Cattlemen’s Conference’ in the title. This most recent ride through the western countryside was no exception, as it was in honor of the 2nd Annual Pacific Northwest Young Cattlemen’s Conference.

I cannot begin to tell you about this year’s PNW YCC tour without reminding my fellow WCA members of the tour and my humble if not naïve beginnings. If I think back to January of 2009, I was just a few months into volunteer writing for the WA Cattlemen’s Association. At that time I did not even know what a ‘Cattlemen’s Conference’ was, let alone did the Pacific Northwest Cattlemen’s Conference yet exist. I did not even learn of NCBA’s Cattlemen’s Conference until late February of 2009. All I had to hear was a trip that ended in Washington DC and I was determined to get myself there. Two months later I had found myself a spot on that big ol’ tour bus and was in for much more than a tour of the nation’s capital. Since then there has been no hint of ‘woah’ in the WCA or my vocabulary, thus the cattle shenanigans began!

Jump forward to January, 2010 and the first ever regional Young Cattlemen’s Conference was held right here in the little ol’ Pacific Northwest. The previous summer I received a call from Julie Laird, director of Oregon Cattlemen’s young member Association. Julie and Ron Rowan of Beef NW Feedlot had come up with an idea to bring the same caliber of tour as the national YCC here to the Northwest. I immediately took them up on their offer to be part of this opportunity and the planning began. With a dose of hope and positive thoughts, our goal was to have 25-40 folks attend, however, our positive thinking brought in 125 registrants to this inaugural PNW YCC tour.

January, 2011 ushered in the second annual PNW YCC tour and with it came 150 registrants. If my WSU math skills serve me well, then the proof is in the numbers that the inaugural tour was far more than beginner’s luck. A master philosopher once said, “If you build it, they will come”. We built this year’s tour around the Columbia River and all that the abundance it provides for WA, OR, and ID. We met in Pendleton, OR and quickly loaded the buses for our first stop at Beef Northwest's Boardman, OR feedlot. Pete Szasz led the tour around the feedlot and also gave us an in-depth outline of each department that makes a feedlot go 'round. From learning where the feed originates from, animal health, feedlot records/accounting, & traceability of finished product not a detail of the cattle feeding industry was left out. We learned about both conventional cattle feeding as well as an overview of natural and other niche feeding programs. From there we toured Columbia River Dairy, a 24,000 dairy that milks 70% Jersey cows. This dairy is part of RDO Farms and therefore most of the cattle feed is supplied by the farming operation or other locally produced commodities. In all the hype of the green movement, is there anything more green than using commodities from your own back yard? After the dairy we jumped over to lunch at the Port of Morrow which was one of the highlights of my day seeing as I work in the agricultural export industry. A tour of Pacific Ethanol followed and the buses split off to tour MacKenzie Ranch or LGW Ranch. I had the pleasure of visiting LGW Ranch, owned and operated by the Wadekamper family. Evach individual on our bus was both humbled and inspired by this amazing family. Our cup of inspiration and motivation runneth over at this stop. From there we traveled on to Baker City for dinner and a round of speakers at the Thomas Angus Ranch. We received top treatment with a steak dinner served in their beautiful barn and a chance to hear from speakers that had been flown in from around the country. Saturday found us ushered back on the buses for the trip to La Grande, OR for a day at Beef NW's 7th annual Cattlemen's Workshop. We heard from industry brains from as far as the University of Kentucky, Texas A & M, and every place in between. In less than 24 hours, 150 folks traveled over 320 miles, toured every aspect of the cattle industry and received an education that many college degrees will never supply. The most humbling part? Every inch of this opportunity was free thanks to generous donations by the three PNW Cattlemen Associations, our allied industries, as well as the individual time, money, and hospitality generously given by each facility and speaker. There is nothing of monetary value gained from those involved in such generous opportunities as this tour. Would you believe that? What is gained can never be counted in silver or gold. These folks share their own good fortune, the lessons they have learned and the knowledge they possess so that those coming up in the ranks will have a fighting chance at making it in this world.

Before and after that infamous ten day trip across the US back in 2009 as part of the NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference I earnestly pursued starting something in the WCA for members to be involved in that were…well... younger than our grandparents. Once my YCC trip was over and I landed back in WA I was even more convicted of offering some fresh involvement for the generations of "X, Y, Z". In just a few short years I continue to be amazed at all the opportunity awaiting us in this world, especially in the cattle industry. Each of us have faced a severe recession, uncertain political climate in our country and world, and numerous personal losses. However, opportunity IS patiently waiting to be found under every rock, hard place, and even under every cow’s tail. I have found that opportunities are as readily available as Costco samples on a Saturday and my desire has been tha folks from my neck of the woods will have knowledge of these opportunities. From my experience, it is so easy to be involved in the cattle industry on any level of involvement one desires. The key word being, involved.

What are we taught from a young age? Well, we are taught a dirty word or a sassy tone mean lunch tastes more like a bar of soap than a bologna sandwich. We are taught not to do drugs or alcohol (thank you DARE), and we are taught to be nice to other people. The most important lesson we are ALL taught as soon as we can walk on our own is in order to function in life, in order to survive, we must evoke effort. Resourcefulness, being involved, putting forth effort, just being present in life, does not come easy to some. Those that did not know how to start a washing machine until college or later, YES I am referring to you. Eventually though the bars of soap get put away, the playground teachers are no longer around to preach about sticks & stones, and we all have to do our own laundry. It is time to get take initiative and clean up some parts of our lives because folks are waiting on you. Look around and you will see how much you are needed by your neighbors, your community, and your industry. You would have never learned how to start that washer, change that irrigation pipe, or doctor that heifer if someone did not send a dose of their own initiative your way. It’s time to share your good fortune and life lessons before your time runs out.

~For more information please visit the Young WA Cattlemen website~

Previously published January, 2011 in'The Ketch Pen', a WA Cattlemen's Association periodical.

Upping the Ante in the Face of Progression

The following is a CancerGRACE article by Dr. Howard (Jack) West. Dr. West is a lung cancer specialist at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA. Dr. West's nonprofit organization, CancerGRACE, provides expert-mediated information on current and emerging cancer management options in order to empower patients, caregivers, and health professionals to become direct partners in cancer care.

Upping the Ante in the Face of Progression

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Today I’m going to veer into the realm of style in cancer management rather than focusing on hard evidence. Sadly, it’s not a rare event to have cancer progress early despite a perfectly good initial therapy. I just saw a patient in my clinic who illustrates what I consider to be a very reasonable treatment idea that doesn’t find its way into the textbook approaches for managing somewhat resistant cancers, but it’s worth discussing the concept of upping the ante with subsequent treatment.
To back up, the textbook answer to what to do in the face of a cancer that is progressing through first line treatment is to move on to second line treatment, though we know that our second line treatments tend to be less effective than earlier ones, and that early progression through good first line therapy represents a high probability that this is a pretty resistant cancer.
The particular patient I saw had been referred by a very good community oncologist for a second opinion after she had just had a scan that demonstrated a mixed response to first line carboplatin/Taxol (paclitaxel) for advanced squamous cell NSCLC, with more progression than response. She’s relatively young, with a very good performance status, and despite the findings of progression, is still looking and feeling very well.While the standard approach for second line treatment for her squamous NSCLC would be either Taxotere (docetaxel) or Tarceva (erlotinib), it’s hard to be extremely optimistic about either of these for her. Taxotere, a cousin of Taxol, could be better than the carbo/Taxol doublet, but I think that’s pretty unlikely.   Tarceva certainly can prolong survival in squamous cell NSCLC, but it doesn’t tend to be a blockbuster in this setting.

------- Finish reading the article HERE  -----

Cryin' in our Corn

Farms.com

Corn: Mid-Session Corn Market Report for 2/10/2011
March corn opened unchanged on the session at 698 and established an early range of 696 1/4 to 704 1/2. Follow-through buying after yesterday's bullish USDA ending stocks news plus strong weekly export sales news helped support the early rally today as the market shook off negative outside markets to move to the highest level since July of 2008. Weekly export sales came in at 1.107 million tonnes for the current marketing year and 104,500 for the next marketing year for a total of 1.212 million tonnes. Cumulative corn sales stand at 61.3% of the USDA forecast for 2010/2011 (current) marketing year versus a 5 year average of 61.8%. Sales of 639,000 metric tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA forecast. The European Union is proposing to temporarily suspend its import tariffs on feed wheat and barley in order to secure feed due to high prices and tight supply. Keep in mind; world coarse grain supply at the end of the season is expected to be at just 50 days supply, the lowest since 1973. For the US, ending stocks represent just 18 days supply; a record low.
*Disclaimer: The information in the Market Commentaries was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed therein constitutes a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any futures or options contracts.

Further Market Commentaries can be found at CME Daily Market Commentaries

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

WA Legislative CaLL to ACTION

Your calls of support are needed NOW to help get HB 1124 on the Executive Calendar and voted out of the House Ag & Natural Resources Committee (AGNR). Please take the time to call all of the Democratic members on the AGNR Committee and ask them to support moving HB 1124 out of Committee. The testimony that was provided by WCA members on January 18th was very helpful to explain the impacts that Cougars are having on livestock production in the affected 6 County Pilot areas. It is essential that we focus on the Human safety aspect. WCA members in Klickitat County please contact your local law enforcement officers that have been working with you and ask them to call in as well. We also need phone calls from the Glenwood School District. I was told that the Glenwood School was locked down recently due to a cougar near the School grounds. Do not wait to make you phone calls!! This is an urgent issue and one that requires immediate action. The Pilot expires this year and if this bill does not pass the management tool of dogs in the Pilot Counties will go away. As you speak with the Legislative members and their Staff share your concerns of not being able to manage other predators.
CALL NOW DO NOT WAIT!!!!!!!!
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

Blake, Brian (D) Chair MOD F 105 (360) 786-7870
Stanford, Derek (D) V. Chair MOD E 204 (360) 786-7928
Chandler, Bruce (R) * LEG 427B (360) 786-7960
Wilcox, J.T. (R) ** MOD G 106 (360) 786-7912
Buys, Vincent (R) MOD D 204 (360) 786-7854
Dunshee, Hans (D) MOD F 103 (360) 786-7804
Hinkle, Bill (R) MOD G 104 (360) 786-7808
Kretz, Joel (R) LEG 335A (360) 786-7988
Lytton, Kristine (D) MOD B 203 (360) 786-7800
Orcutt, Ed (R) LEG 122F (360) 786-7812
Pettigrew, Eric (D) LEG 434B (360) 786-7838
Rolfes, Christine (D) MOD D 105 (360) 786-7842
Van De Wege, Kevin (D) LEG 434A (360) 786-7916

*Ranking Minority Member **Asst. Ranking Minority Member
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Schedule of Public Hearing: SB 5611, 5631, and 5633 and Work Session.

Agriculture & Rural Economic Development* - 2/10/2011 10:00 a.m.

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED ON 2/3/2011 AT 8:17 AM

Public Hearing:
SB 5611 - Regarding the use of designated agricultural lands.
SB 5631 - Concerning miscellaneous provisions regulated by the department of agriculture.
SB 5633 - Exempting agricultural fair premiums from the unclaimed property act.

Work Session: Public comment of proposal to merge the State Conservation Commission into the Department of Agriculture.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

Winter Planning for High Production in Irrigated Pastures

Winter Planning for High Production in Irrigated Pastures

In irrigated pasture management there are many places to spend money, but four common areas make the greatest economic impact on pasture and grazing income. The economic impact areas include: pasture fertility, pasture fencing, pasture seeding and irrigation improvements. This article will concentrate on pasture fertility.

In a recent test, cool season irrigated pasture maximum production under “ideal conditions” was measured. Water and fertility were closely managed. The pasture test plot was clipped and weighed repeatedly during the growing season. The test showed under “ideal conditions” irrigated pasture production can approach 20 tons of dry forage per acre. It is exciting to think of the possibility of pasture producing 20 tons of forage. However, the economics of doing this on a large scale would not be practical or profitable as the plot was extremely moist at all times and maximum production used a great deal of fertilizer.

The largest management variables in achieving high cost-effective levels of irrigated forage production are fertility and fertility timing. A pasture populated with modern forage varieties can use 300 pounds of available nitrogen during the annual growing season. The economic feasibility of applying 300 pounds of available nitrogen is not cost effective. Fertilizer could cost more than the forage gain. There is a logarithmic increase in forage production with available nitrogen until roughly 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre. After 150 pounds of available nitrogen a gradual leveling off of production is observed. It is recommended to divide fertilizer into three applications, early, mid-season and approximately August 1st. It is not recommended to apply 150 pounds of available nitrogen in one large application.

Studies show timing of fertilizer application is important in irrigated pasture production. An application of approximately 70 pounds of available nitrogen when annual centigrade degree days reach 200 show an increase annual pasture production by 30% when compared to applications later in the growing period. Degree days are regionally variable and should be calculated using public access weather stations near the pasture site. For example 200 degree days is in mid-January in the Walla Walla region while it takes until the first part of February in the Yakima region.

Best management practice includes the use of soil samples annually, prior to developing a fertility management plan. Having 70 pounds of available nitrogen available at 200 degree days is important. A second application of 50 pounds of nitrogen should be applied to irrigated pasture around the time when the region is cutting hay for the first time. June 1st in the Yakima region, is advised. The third application of 50 pounds of nitrogen should be timed around August 1st to capture the second growth curve of cool season forage species and aide in meristem production for the next season. Sulfur and phosphorus can be important fertility additions. Consult professionals in your area to plan fertility management.

Answering the key question, is it economically feasible to fertilize irrigated pastures with 150 pounds of available nitrogen, the answer is yes. Several years ago, when nitrogen fertilizers were higher than $1,000.00 per ton, the numbers showed fertilizing at this level was profitable. At today’s nitrogen prices (approximately $550.00 per ton) it is feasible, profitable and intelligent to spend money on soil testing and fertilizer in irrigated pastures. Every dollar spent on fertilizing results in $19 to $35 of forage production, depending on forage plant species, population and several other variables. A fertility plan should be one of the highest priorities in a managed intensive grazing program.

Previously published: WA Cattlemen's Association Ketch Pen-January, 2011
Authored by: Frank Hendrix, WSU Extension Educator-Livestock, Pasture Mgmt

Read more on pasture improvement & Frank's work:
~ Intensive Grazing Trials
~ Is Improved Pasture Economically Viable
~ Easier Irrigation

BreNN hiLL supports his CattLe Industry with mOrE than BeautiFuL MusiC

~UPDATE~ (previously posted 12/17/10)
Brenn Hill extended his offer to donate $5 from each CD sold on his website to the US Cattlemen's Association all the way THROUGH the END Of JANUARY, 2011! There is still time so head over to his website NoW to purchase one of his GrEaT cds OR purchase all 7 cds for just $100 w/ free shipping...those mp3 sites we know so well can't even beat a deal like that!;) I'm checkin' out riGHt now with my purchase of EQUINE...I just couldn't get over the beautiful title track song & had to have it:) With 16 SONGS Mr. Hill certainly understands the value of the dollar!
Check out these links to view Brenn's performance at Ellensburg's Spirit of The West Cowboy Gathering here. It's no surprise Ian Tyson stated, "Every time I see and hear Brenn Hill, he just keeps getting better and better. His love of the west shines through in his music."
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Not every day one of the famous folk gives a nod to our cattlemen, so when a savvy singer/songwriter like Brenn Hill is sending a chunk of his change to support our ranchers we all best take notice! 

Mr. Hill is saying "thanks" in December to the people who put food on his table by donating $5 from the purchase of any of his albums to the United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA).

"This organization represents the folks across this country who take care of the land. I feel that USCA fits the fundamental values of my music, so working with this group seemed to make perfect sense," said Hill. "I find myself thinking sometimes about how I can help ranchers and farmers, and I thought this would be a small step toward letting them know how much I appreciate everything they do."

Brenn knows that farming and ranching isn't easy...it's one of America's most critical businesses and ways of life...plus each and every day it takes organizational advocacy to ensure that the U.S. Cattle Industry remains profitable and viable...Brenn has dedicated the widely acclaimed "Into the Wind" (click here to listen to a portion of the song) to all of the hardworking ranchers across the country...Into the Wind is the rallying call for ranchers to continue their successful operation, and it's the rallying call for USCA to champion the issues affecting the U.S. Cattle Industry...

'Equine' Album

During the month of December, purchase ANY Brenn Hill CD, and Brenn will donate $5 from each sale to the US Cattlemen's Association! Good music, a budding icon that will one day be a singer/songwriter legend, and a chance to support the cattle industry, doesn't get much better than that! Not sure what Brenn's sound is all about? Just sample a few tracks on his website then jump to his music section for a quick and dirty purchase! 

(Information compliments of USCA, all photos from Brenn Hill website)