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.

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
--------------
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

Becoming an Active Manager...InspiRatiON in aBunDanCe

I am honored to share the following article from our past WCA president, Dick Coon. Previously posted in the November, 2010 WCA Ketch Pen, this wonderfully written farewell address beckons to be shared. May you filled with the encouragement, hope, and inspiration needed to complete that path life has placed before you.

Become An Active Manager

Since this is the last Ketch Pen article I’ll write as WCA President, I probably should be a little nostalgic about all of the activity of the last two years, but nostalgia doesn’t really get us anywhere. It doesn’t do much for me when I think about what the WCA has been doing and the issues we’re confronted with on a regular basis. I’m struck by the fact that most of these issues have one thing in common. That is everyone wants to tell us how to manage our resources or our livestock. I sincerely believe that we are the ones most qualified to judge how these resources are to be handled. For a long time I thought that the marketplace would cull out those producers who abused their land or didn’t do the best job of animal husbandry. The reality is that many people are insulated from the economic costs of poor management by second jobs or subsidies in one form or another. All too often, we’ve seen just a few bad actors spoil the show for everyone. To pretend that we can operate in a bubble without oversight is naive. In the livestock business, the fact that we’re producing food means the public will always have a profound interest in how those animals are raised and treated. It is not enough to say that we are professionals in the way we operate; it is not enough to say that ranchers are the original environmentalists and the best caretakers of our stock. We are also always going to be under scrutiny because there are many people who want what we have. Open space, clean water, abundant wildlife, clean air, and a self-directed lifestyle. So how do we turn this “public oversight”, if that is what it is, into something positive for our business?

First and foremost is that we have nothing to hide or be ashamed of in how most of us run our ranches. The public’s perception of ranching has been challenged by environmentalists and its increased isolation from food production. We’ve all been saying that ranchers need to “tell their story” at every opportunity and this is absolutely necessary but I want you to take that idea one step further. Become an active manager of your resources. I don’t mean active in the conventional way, either. I mean that you should challenge yourself every day. Ask yourself if Joe Schmo from Kent dropped in on you today, would you be able to show Schmo or tell him why you were doing something a particular way? Do you ask yourself why you do something a particular way? We’ve all read about doing it the way we always did, or how Dad or Grandpa did, but even if you’re doing it differently than your predecessors, how long have you been doing it?

I realized the other day, with chagrin, that I have been doing some management practices which were state-of-the-art, but that they were state-of-the-art twenty-five years ago. Those practices aren’t quite archaic yet, but a huge amount of research and experience has been added to the original ideas and what I’m doing is outdated and needs a dramatic fresh approach. So now I am the old man with the old ways! Of course, our son Paul has been trying to tell me that for years!

In reality, having your youngsters working with you is one of the surest ways to constantly test the originality and imagination that you think you’re bringing to the operation. The logarithmic expansion of creativity that comes from having someone working with you who’s seen and heard it before can be humbling and irritating. I love it when I give a long, drawn-out reason for doing something my way, or the “right” way and I get a brilliant counter-reason that leaves me stunned that I never thought of it, and proud that I participated in raising such a young, wise partner!

The other point I’d like to present is to have you think about how you deal with the public in general and regulators in particular. This increasing scrutiny we’re under means you will be dealing with inspectors or some agency types more often than you’d like. Rather than take a defensive position as may be your legal right and deny them access, or be uncooperative, try being proactive and invite them in to see how you manage your ranch. I know this is nearly heresy, since we’re supposed to be the rugged individualists who bow to no man, but the reality is that we are not only severely outnumbered, we’re surrounded. So practicality dictates a rational approach. That makes it easy because of three things:

1. See above: We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of in showing how we manage our resources.

2. The product we produce is not only nutritious and necessary, but can be produced year around and consumed and enjoyed by young and old alike.

3. The process of producing this wonderful product just happens to be good for the environment, good for the economy, and good for the human race.

Cattle Welfare In the West - Video

If you do this, you’ll find it is extremely empowering. You become the one who is setting the agenda by taking their unwanted attention and turning it into an opportunity to describe why you do something a particular way or educate them about proper livestock or resource management. Now I realize that there is always the chance that you’ll run into a loose cannon with a diesel dipstick who can’t tell a hay-hauling harobed from highway hauler but that is life, so tell the dog. Sure, there will be times when reason and good manners won’t do you any good, but that is when you take it to the next level. You’ll be doing it from a position of strength because you started out being reasonable and cooperative. Enlist the WCA to get help or get your lawyer, but everyone understands reasonable and if you have the biggest pile of reasonable, you’ll get further.

To summarize a little; You be the one to set the guidelines on how you’re going to manage your own property and then make sure you’re doing it in a rational way, then show people why you do what you do. People still have a high opinion of ranchers, and they want to feel good about eating beef. Let’s help them by showing that their opinion of us is justified and perhaps they’ll help us in turn by being supportive of our efforts to return logic and reason to the regulatory process.

The success of our initial effort to raise money for the Beef Counts program was very impressive. The job that Patti Brumbach and Jack Field did to coordinate the press coverage for the Stockland and Toppenish auctions was superb. Everyone was overwhelmed by the support of the buyers who contributed their dollars to help Second Harvest and Agri Beef in the move to get beef protein into the diets of those folks down on their luck and needing assistance. I hope you all take a moment to consider donating to this terrific program. I believe it will not only improve the quality of life for people, but will give our beef industry a meaningful way to make a contribution to a worthy cause.

I want to close by saying thanks to all the great people who have taken their valuable time to serve on the WCA Executive Committee and as Standing Committee Chairmen. I want to give a special thanks to Bev Cridlebaugh and her husband, Ron, who’ve been so supportive of the WCA. I am very grateful to Lacy Lampkins for the terrific job she has done since becoming part of the WCA. There aren’t enough words to describe my admiration and affection for Jack Field. The WCA’s brightest moment was hiring Jack and his energy and dedication is second to none in the industry. My thanks need to be extended to his wife, Skye, for her willingness to share him with us for the long hours he spends working on our behalf.

I want to express my appreciation for our son, Paul and his work to keep the ranch rolling along while I’ve been doing association business. He has not only covered for me but has dramatically improved the management! My wife, Paula, deserves my most profound gratitude for her positive and clear-thinking support and encouragement. We both would like to extend an invitation to any of you who would like to stop by for a visit. Remember, we’re in the middle of everything, not the middle of nowhere.

Dick Coon

WCA President

2nd aNNuaL PNW YounG CaTTLemen's ConferencE

Excitin' news Y'all...the grand inauguration of the Pacific Northwest Young Cattlemen's Conference was such a thriving hit last year.....we are bringin' it BacK!

Save the Date(s)! ...Friday, January 21, 2011 and Saturday, January 22, 2011, be in Pendleton, Oregon Friday mornin' and soon you'll be bound for Boardman & Baker City, OR. See the links below for more tour details which includes stops at Pacific Ethanol, Beef Northwest Boardman Feedlot, Port of Morrow, McKenzie Ranch, and more.

Please find further details below or at Young WA Cattlemen and be sure to register prior to January 14th!



2010 PNW YCC Attendees

RFD-TV short segment feauturing interviews from last year's attendees: Ben Carpenter, Ryan Rademacher, & Jenna Feusner as well as highlights of the two days!

The Care Package: Cattle Welfare in the West

The following documentary comes to us from WSU student film maker Michael DeTerra, a Beef Checkoff "Millennial Movie Making Project" grant recipient, produced the documentary The Care Package: Cattle Welfare in the West. The film features Washington rancher Dick Coon, cattle feeder Cody Easterday, and Oregon Rancher Bill Hoyt. The film also features Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor Emeritus Animal Science-Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin is featured in 2010 Time 100, Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world, due to her innovative contribution to animal husbandry practices in the Livestock Industry as well as her work bringing public awareness to Autism.

(Jump forward to clips of WA Cattlemen: Dick Coon begins at 5 minutes 30 seconds, Cody Easterday begins at 10 minutes 20 seconds)


The Care Package: Cattle Welfare in the West from ExploreBeef on Vimeo.

Well deserved thanks are due to Michael DeTerra for producing such an informative, thorough, and beautiful documentary! Those 'Cougs' sure are make for a unmatched group of folks! ;) 

Mark Crowley ~ GrEAt family MaN, CoWboY, 'neighbor' to aLL

The following article was previously published in the November 2010 Washington Cattlemen's Association periodical, The Ketch Pen. This article is dear to my heart for a few reasons. Mark was the first person to contact me after my very first foray into WCA involvement and ultimately the cattle industry.He graciously "welcomed" me to the fold and small gestures like that are rarely forgotten. Also, this article was "anonymously" written by our then-president's wife, Paula Coon. Paula and Mark share a humility that I great admire and continue to be humbled and inspired by the work they accomplish through their strong dedication to the industry and its people.Paula lent these words after I ingquired about posting this piece, "Mark is one of the many who live quietly and are the backbone of their communities, where their contribution is felt, but sometimes unrecognized." 

The kind of person who holds our world in place....

Mark Crowley

Veteran Secretary of Board

A native of Kansas, Mark Crowley, has served as WCA’s secretary for six out of the last eight years. Working with Sid Viebrock, Jim Sizemore, and now Dick Coon he takes care of recording the minutes of the meetings.

Mark served four years in the Army stationed at Fort Lewis and reaching the rank of Sergeant and serving as Squad Leader. A major in Agriculture Economics with an Animal Science minor he’s a 1992 WSU grad and a loyal Coug. He was hired by Gerry Pittenger, who raised Wagyu cattle. Mark had experience working under Dan Coonrad at WSU. “It was a big change for me and Gerry was pretty patient with me right out of school.” “Those nine years with Pittenger and that job provided me the opportunity to get involved in the cattleman’s association.”

He met his wife, Raquel, in Ellensburg. She is the Vice Principle at the Granger High School, and they have three children: Jessica, 21, Elizabeth, 20 who both work in Ellensburg, and seven year old Wyatt.

Using the Internet to find job leads is a modern day trend and that’s where Mark found his present employment. Mark works at the Kittitas County Conservation District as Resource Technician where he works mostly with irrigation but also fills in with many other aspects of the Conservation District’s mission. “It was a steep learning curve to catch up on water rights and irrigation design. It was on the job learning.” They deal mostly with endangered species issues and water quality and quantity.


Like so many of the ranchers I’ve been privileged to visit with, Mark enjoys working with the youth in his community. He has led the Get Up & Go 4-H Club for sixteen years. He’s a past president of the Yakima Valley Team Penning Club, current president of the Cascade Team Penning Association as well as an an event announcer for them. YVTPC has eight events a year. This February a cowboy event, Californios (http://www.thecalifornios.com/), a companion to Spirit of the West is something Mark is looking forward to. It’s described as a ranch roping and stock horse competition involving working and doctoring cattle comprising the least amount of stress.

Mark sees the new HSUS invasion into our state as something to watch out for. HSUS has eight ‘Grassroots Meetings’ scheduled in Washington in October and November. He adds, “Water issues are central because you can’t live without water; both stock water and irrigation. WCA does what it can but unfortunately many cattlemen are not members of the WCA and don’t get the information about some of the important impending issues that will affect them. It’s essential; educating other cattlemen to realize how important these issues are, even team penning members should support these things or they won’t have cattle to pen. Everyone I work with, all types, need to be paying attention and helping out too. I always wanted to be a cattleman”, Mark notes, “cattlemen are steady people, they are people you can count on, the ‘go to’ people of the community.”

(Article written by Paula Coon)

~DeLIST the GraY WOLF~

PLC, NCBA Support New Legislation to Delist the Gray Wolf

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON (Dec.7, 2010) -The Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) support the State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act, which would return management authority of gray wolves to the states and remove them from the endangered species list. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Rob Bishop (R-Utah); Mike Simpson (R-Idaho); Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.); Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.); Trent Franks (R-Ariz.); Wally Herger (R-Calif.); Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah); and Dean Heller (R-Nev.). PLC and NCBA support their efforts to return wolf management to states and bring relief to livestock producers.

"Wolf depredation of livestock is becoming increasingly prevalent in areas where wolves have been introduced under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We lost a couple of calves and a cow this summer," said NCBA President-elect and Montana rancher Bill Donald. "When the pack on our ranch grows to more than eight, wolf depredation of livestock starts. If the pack remains small it doesn't bother cattle. This is evidence that wolves no longer need to be listed under the ESA. However, instead of delisting wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) continuously increases ESA Recovery Plan goals, making delisting impossible."

According to PLC President and federal lands rancher John Falen, unlike many species listed under the ESA, wolves pose a serious threat to wildlife, humans and private property, especially livestock. Falen said the FWS does not have resources to manage continued listing of the gray wolf under the ESA. More specifically, he noted that studies have shown for every confirmed kill of livestock there are seven to eight that go unconfirmed.

Male Gray Wolf..what we are blessed with in WA

"Rather than continuing to allow the distant federal government to dictate how ranchers manage and care for their herds, the State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act would return authority to the states where it rightly belongs," Falen said. "Wolf depredation threatens ranchers' livelihoods and rural communities and economies relying on a profitable agricultural industry. It is time to end the unwarranted listing of the gray wolf. We urge more members of Congress to support this legislation."

Wolves kill 23 lambs in NE Oregon (via http://www.kval.com/news/43055822.html)

Contact: Mary Geiger, 202-879-9138 or mgeiger@beef.org 

--------------------------------------------------------

The above was taken from an NCBA Press Release I received earlier this week. I found it curious that no WA of OR Representatives signed on to introduce this legislation...perhaps because we are working on a State Wolf Plan (oh yes THAT wolf plan introducing EIGHT breeding pair into our lil tiny state). Thoughts?? Ventings??

BeeF inforMatiON DAY --- Grant County, WA

~FREE Beef Information DAY~

 Grant County Beef Information Day, Wednesday December 15th 2010 show up with your BesT bOOts at the George Community Center in grand ol' George, Washington! Join in on the learnin' at 9:25 AM and stay until 2:45 PM. Get your fill of listenin' from local and regional speakers with expertise in cattle health, beef quality, and agriculture commodity transportation will be featured.

Individuals involved in any segment of beef cattle production are invited to attend, and participants need not be a member of the Grant County Cattlemen or resident of Grant County to attend. The program is organized by Washington State University Extension and the Grant County Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s Associations.

Once you've had your fill of fReE coFFee & DONutS you'll be ready to saddle up for the mornin' session. Receive training & certification in the Western Beef Quality Assurance program and a presentation about improving heifer reproduction rates. After you've refueled with plenty of tasty beef  hit the trail hard for an afternoon learnin how to spruce up your operation's management plan with results that can be tasted! Just before you hit the open road, do you have what it takes to be legal on WA roads with your trucks, trailers, & farm equipment? The WSP CV Division will tell you how to keep your operation in the clear!

Tip your hat to the Grant County Cattlemen & Cattlewomen for cookin' up a FreE beef lunch! There is no registration fee to participate in the day’s activities, but ya better get your seat claimed before DEC 10th, 5:00 PM by callin' WSU Grant/Adams Extension 509-754-2011 Ext. 413.

(Read the entire NeWs ReLeAsE curtosy of the YWCA)

WCA aNNuaL ConvENtiOn WeeK

Can't beat my view at work

...It is already that time of year..the WA Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention technically begins...TomoRRoW! That means that it is already Mid-November(ish), which means its already winter...oh wait did I mention yet that it snowed...ALL..DAY...hmmm where was I again? Oh yes, Convention, November, Winter, all of this means that another year has FLOWN right on by! I'm not sure if I was gracefully flying through the year or more like an already disheveled mess that was forcibly plucked up by a crazed dustdevil, then bounced around through the year and dropped hard on my rump looking like a cross between a resident of the Harlem Projects & Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus! (umm yes, definitely the latter was how I traveled thru the yr!) Luckily, convention will not leave me in the dust...or at least not too much! I will be working throughout the remainder of the week but I am lucky enough to work in the same county as this year's convention location ! Tomorrow night I actually get to attend my 4th (??) WCA board meeting since it will be in the evening! I am excited to see all the great fellow board members as the last time I saw them I was saying goodbye enroute to TX. Although my detour is bittersweet for me, any free help that sticks around WA I'm pretty sure is just sweet by the WCA's standards. ;)

Friday night our banquet has a pretty snaZZy spECiaL guest: BaXteR bLaCk will be our entertainment following the Prime Rib banquet dinner! Tickets still available, contact information posted below! Thursday night is our social and Endowment Trust Fund auction so come on out both nights before Winter buries you inside and bans all socialization:) Thursday is Veteran's Day so those of you who get the day off from work have a great chance to head up to Suncadia Resort (maybe even sneak off for a relaxing massage...it is a resort after all!) Don't forget to come back Saturday for the Pfizer Cattlemen's College! I am excited to pop into that since I will be working during Thursday and Friday's daytime events.

Call WCA for tickets: 509-925-9871

CrazY cowBoy DrEAm

Crazy Cowboy Dream

“The miles that I have traveled, the places I have seen

Just won’t let me put a saddle on this Crazy Cowboy Dream”¹

          

A few days ago I took my niece up on the invitation to join her at school for “hot lunch”. When your nephew and nieces range in age from 13 down to 7, it is easy to see the GIANT handwriting on the wall. Those pending teenage years have the possibility to make those invitations a thing of the past ! A scheduling conflict resulted in the need to move our original lunch date from the coveted “salad bar” day to a standard “hot lunch” day. Have no fear, this school brought it’s noon hour A-Game. My nephew and nieces attend a private Catholic School in Yakima. Most of the teachers recognize me by now as I have been picking up at least 1 child a year for going on a decade! Despite what most folks would consider a less-than-friendly locale, the school proves friendly & welcoming to the weary lunch maven or afternoon courier. On this recent voyage I found myself likening their school to a small, rural town. The kind of town where the lunch is hot, the smiles are warm, & crazy cowboy dreams are still dreamed.

Back at the cafeteria my small town euphoria was kindly interrupted by a sweet voice, “Aunt Jenna, would you like milk?” Don’t tell the health officials, but typically the only time I reach for milk is when it comes served as a double in a tall glass with ice, a few choice ingredients, and a name that sounds suspiciously like a famous handgun!  On this day, nostalgia won as chocolate milk beckoned its way to my tray. As I found my way back to a table surrounded by 11 year old girls and not a boy in sight, I found myself wondering when that fateful day arrived so many years ago that took away the choice of chocolate milk and took our crazy cowboy dreams right along with it.

One of the great blessings life throws our way are the times when a philosophical theme of one kind or another takes residence in our mind. This philosophical battle invokes pondering that may last for days, weeks, even months. As we drive to and from the kids’ school, ride through that group of pairs, or fix the familiar fence line we may not even realize what our brain fervently ponders day after day. If we are lucky we will reach the pinnacle of all great pondering…the much lofted after revelation. Cattle ranchers are blessed to be an intricate part of nature that includes few others. They are able to take in the wide open spaces, fresh air, understand the delicate balance of all life that surrounds them. All that oneness with nature is great but let’s face it; 'em ranchers are slightly scant on human interaction! It has been a long time since they saddled up to a lunchroom table with their chocolate milk, unless you count those bi-yearly trips to the sale barn cafe!  However, this lifestyle makes them far from short on philosophical ponderings or even a profound revelation now and again. Rather than send our ranchers to “Mingling 101” down at the local Eagles, let’s keep them out on the range & tap into that pondering mind. How intriguing it is to sit down at the lunch table and hear a group of folks whose crazy cowboy dreams may very well be alive and kickin’.

My penchant is strong for anything that takes me back to a time when the worry was less and the “living and doing” was more. Typically that means a great deal of enthusiasm at every 2/$1.00 candy rack where the packaging hasn’t changed since Reagan was in office. However, if you look beyond the Cinnamon Bears, Bubbletape, & Slurpees you just might catch a glimpse of the “good ole days”. The Good Ole Days are not limited to the 1880s or the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We all have our very own version of good ole days. That school lunchroom with its choice of “white milk or chocolate” is just one small peek into our glorious yesteryears. Those days when our minds were full enough to be present yet empty enough to dream.

Someone reminded me this week of the saying about doers and dreamers. My personal rendition goes something like “There are three types of people in this world: Dreamers, Doers, and those that let others do the dreaming and the doing.” I believe we cannot successfully do until we have successfully dreamed. When is the last time you let yourself dream or even turned those dreams into something you did? We all know that no one has successfully ever kept us down without our consent but sometimes it takes a good hot lunch, carton of milk, and a kickball game to remind us to start living our crazy cowboy dreams.

“....The miles that I have traveled, the places I have seen

Just won’t let me put a saddle on this Crazy Cowboy Dream”¹

(¹ Robert Earl Keen. “Crazy Cowboy Dream.” Bigger Piece of Sky. MP3. Koch Records, 2004.)

Originally published in WCA Ketch Pen November 2010. 

Heart Like a MuLe

An early evening perched on my family’s deck left my gaze to rest upon what I have long thought to be the most striking animal in the corral. As the sun set slowly behind Mt. Clements, the coloring of this animal was brought to life before my eyes. The sky’s gold and orange hues set off the rich chocolate dorsal stripe, surrounded by an almost brindle colored coat. The animal gazed up at me and I swore our eyes locked for a few fleeting seconds. Those soft eyes left me wondering what past such a beautiful creature was holding onto. Over the last year I have been intrigued over how something so rare and beautiful on the outside could be so fragile and complex on the inside. You see, this animal was not just another normal four-legged creature that had found its way onto my family’s abode. This was a mule. In fact, it was the first mule to ever have found a home here. “Mule” seemed to be its name, and in the nearly two years since he’s moved in he had come as far as almost allowing me to pet him! Dear family friends were kind enough to loan him to us in hopes we could lure him out of shell with TLC and more than a dose of trust. As I have not been the one footing the feed bill, “Mule” is of no bother to me. His “beautiful” bray always supplies me with one of those from-the-belly laughs and typically when I needed a laugh the most. His rare coloring gives a girl all the eye candy she could ask for, so as far as I am concerned he can put his feet up and stay awhile longer.

One day while out painting by the shop, “Mule” decided to rest his head over the nearby gate and keep me company, from a distance he felt was safe of course. Looking over at this creature that wanted so badly to trust but couldn’t unbury his past, I got to pondering about what path folks leave behind and the path that remains in the distance. As the mule loudly beckoned for my attention I looked up once more and begin to wonder just where one crosses over from the heart of a horse into the heart of a mule.

As I have journeyed through this writing experience with the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, some very drastic changes have occurred in my life, but more importantly in my soul. My recent WCA Ketch Pen sabbatical was not unintentional. For those of you that may tune into my blog now and again, you will have possibly noted the change. Anticipating a move to Texas, I quietly changed my blog from the Young Washington Cattlemen’s Association to The Sagebrush Chronicles. This name change was about more than just a potential location change, it granted me the freedom to dive deeper into philosophical ramblings without fear of remaining politically and socially neutral. My writing is something that seems to come from whatever journey my mind and soul is adventuring down. Great for a blog, not great for newspaper deadlines or an audience featuring a load of cattlemen and women that may be used to a slightly stauncher read. After many months of being left high and dry come Ketch Pen time, I came to a bold decision. As just a volunteer writer for a non-profit organization, I decided I was going deep. After all, aren’t all of us trudging up the same trail in life? That inevitable trail that seems to be left off of any map.

That very trail would be the one God and I have been climbing up the past few months, ice pick and all. I honestly acknowledge my recent articles have come up short on bovine related content. The cattle industry has not left my mind entirely; however, due to other circumstances it has only received the occasional nod in its direction from me. Less than two months ago I said goodbye to my job at Farm Credit and pointed my rig west on I-90 for what I hoped would be the last of my weekly Spokane-Selah commute. After a pit-stop in Lind, WA for the annual Combine Derby, I arrived in the Wenas with less than 5 weeks until I was bound for Fort Worth, TX! Last February I boldly applied for a one year Ranch Management Program at Texas Christian University. After inundating the professors of the Ranch Management Program with a lengthy auto-biography I was summoned for an interview. So, mid-April I was once again hitched up on the Southwest wagon, destination Fort Worth. Less than two weeks after my interview I had an official acceptance letter in my hands and the world as my oyster. Once I figured out a well-timed departure from my corporate career, I had just enough days left in Washington State to sell and pay off my car, sell most of my belongings, and find room in a rental rig for my *extensive* wardrobe, minus any winter item containing wool or insulation of course!

Then, that fateful morning dawned with a financial aid wake-up call. This well-oiled, smooth running plan thus far had seemingly been crafted by someone far wiser than me and months back I gave that wise leader the reins to this stubborn mule. God had the ability to change the plan at any time and this time I vowed to be willing to bend and so it seemed our “come to Jesus” talk had arrived. Would I “have the faith” and bend or would I stubbornly stand my ground and continue forward on this southbound trail I desperately wanted to travel? This time, I relinquished control, ignored what the world might say and have been hanging on ever since.

How many of you have sat around the kitchen table late at night wringing your hands through your hair facing a similar situation? God changed the plan mid-game and now what were you to do? The haystacks all caught fire, cows were stolen, Federal grazing stripped from your hands, a family member passed, your “income earner” lost their job...the scenarios seem endless. Well there are really only two options in times of unknown; we can view a change in the trail we were on as an opportunity or a dead-end. With those as my options, it seems I once again find myself picking up my crazy heart and giving it one more try.¹ Over the last decade I have found myself in more situations than I would have ever dreamed possible where I asked God, “So I guess we’re adding THIS to the mix?” Would the world see those bumps in the road as blessings? Well...probably not, they would probably just see a trail-block. But the world has the heart of a horse. Sometimes life is complicated, it is deep, it is not to be understood in the present, if understood ever. Sometimes, life requires the heart of a mule.

 (¹ Bingham, Ryan. “The Weary Kind.” Crazy Heart. MP3. New West Records, 2010.)

Originally published: Washington Cattlemen's Association Sept 2010 Ketch Pen

Ride 100 Miles With Me

A movie was released this last year that featured a character I found myself strongly relating to. A classic scene in the movie included a speech by this character that stuck with me, "..I tend to think of myself as a 1-man wolf pack..." I share a similar independent spirit but over the years have learned to grow my wolf pack to include many different genres of life. Lately, I find myself relating to a rare and unique group of folks ... truck drivers. Now, I am well aware of the fact this elite group will not be inducting me fully into their posse anytime soon. Let's face it, does anybody really think that I am the best choice to pull that load of fat cattle or hay while bombing down the freeway? However, over the course of more than a year, the road has become my home. I'm not quite logging long haul miles but my nice weekly jaunt to and from my folks place covers 600 roundtrip miles. When I passed the 30,000 mile mark I officially moved into a new road warrior tier. This top tier membership includes perks & new-found wisdom such as understanding that any trips before 5pm and after 5am will encounter “unbearable traffic" through Eastern Washington, an unexplainable affection for gas stations-specifically coffee machines & merchandise racks, and the much lofted ownership of the 7-Eleven coffee refill card! However, what really sets this pavement pounding tier aside is the Zen-like deep thought the open road brings. While driving the other day I heard a quote from a California cattle rancher and agriculture advocate, "As my grandpa used to say, 'To understand my perspective, ride 100 miles with me.'" With my foot firmly glued to the pedal and another 200 miles to go, only two entertainment options remained for the drive: I could continue singing along to Tanya Tucker, or I could get this "perspective" predicament ironed out. It looked like 'Lizzie and the Rainman' was going to have to wait.

When is the last time you said, "I would be interested to hear what their perspective was on this matter." Can you actually remember ever saying or thinking that and if you are honest with yourself, did you really truly want to hear what someone else's perspective was? Perhaps now is a good time to take a serene drive and really chew the fat on ol’ Grandpa's quote. I will be the first one to admit that if you asked me if I really wanted to "understand Obama's perspective", colorful words would be heard for miles around. I am a little too prickled up right now to ride 100 miles with someone who's perspective I think does not contain an once of rationale or intelligent thought. Oh crap...now I sound just like the folks I’m complaining about.. open minded until I actually open my mouth. However, when I take a deep breath I think I would want to sit down with the Obamas and get an earful of their perspective. I am curious about how people get to their beliefs. If I wasn’t raised in Yakima County on a cattle ranch I guarantee my perspective on life would be far different than what it is currently. When is the last time you had a conversation with someone who had a different perspective than you? Better yet, would you even offer up your listening time if some young chap’s appearances hinted they came from a different wolf pack than you?

Some days I get so sick of being politically correct it’s enough to make me almost punch the next peace, love, and happiness socialist right in the teeth. Then, that annoying angel over my right shoulder starts reminding me that if I judge that hippie book by its cover or never open it up to see what it says I’m limiting myself to what could be something great. Every so often I do listen to that angel on my right shoulder and that 100 mile ride often ends with a new found friend and more importantly some new found perspective.

I knew a man who was not a stranger to uttering profound proverbs such as, "to understand my perspective, ride 100 miles with me." these out of nowhere statements always came during what seemed like a dreadful 100 mile no air conditioned, 90 degree day ride in a grain truck or a scorching sun filled horseback ride through the sageland. At that time, understanding his perspective was not the issue. The issue was the desire to understand his perspective or how he came to hold that perspective. As I've encountered many various wolf packs and genres of folk over the years, I've never forgotten those days spent learning silent lessons. It may be shocking to some that at times I am not shy at voicing my opinion or perspective. But isn’t that what all any humans desire, to be heard and understood? Every human being was given a voice and expansive mind to articulate individual views of how the world goes 'round. Gosh you are probably starting to think I sound more like Jane Fonda than Glenn Beck. Well now, you’ve never saddled up and went on that ride with me? If we desire to have our perspective heard by the world, are we willing to listen to someone of the opposite belief system be heard? Well cattlemen ... are we? If we want the Department of Ecology to listen to why they should grant us our right to use exempt wells for stock watering are we really going to open-mindedly listen to the Sierra Club’s views of water management? Perhaps the time has come to hop in the old truck or tighten the cinch on that old mare and go for a ride with them. When I find myself saying that I just do not understand how that person could ever come to that ideology of thinking its never long before a lump in my throat forms and I know my answer. The answer lies in the truth that I will never understand how someone came to their belief system unless I ask them or more importantly, I listen to them.

Have you ever truly listened to two people who can't agree on abortion. Yes, I just said abortion, perhaps the most taboo word ever uttered in the English language-you will survive I promise. It typically does not take long to understand why they can not agree-heck a six year old could figure out faster than us. Those two folks' perspectives are not the same because their life experiences are not the same, the way they were raised is not the same, or maybe their brains are just not clones of one another’s. We need to stop caring so much about people who don’t think the same as us-get over it. If we want people to not stereotype agriculturists, conservatives, religious followers in a box, then we need to lead the pack by example. We keep waiting for our neighbor to become open minded and expand his knowledge, while that wait cripples us farther. Is a tattoo, piercing, or bumper sticker stopping you from pulling up a bar stool and getting to know someone? The worst case scenario is that they in fact think or believe in something opposite of you. That long-haired tattooed man just may be the new pastor in town or the clean cut business suit sporting neighbor might be Jeffrey Dahmer in waiting. Our perceptions are often the dead leg that’s slowing us down in this business. To become successful in business or in your personal life then we have to challenge our own perspective first. Something in the universe triggered you to choose Angus over Brahman, Quarter Horse over Arabian, or Miller High Life over Busch. Did education and knowledge drive your choices? Or were your choices formed by people around you, your background, environment, or what the 8-ball said? When we understand what is driving our perspectives and our neighbor’s perspectives then we can effectively start to change some factors in our lives for the better. The cattle industry features some of the most intelligent minds in business and I am confidant if we pull up a bar stool to our adversaries, alliances can begin to form and we will not continue to be victims of circumstance.

As you find yourself driving down your own lost highway this week, decide whether you really would ride 100 miles with me to swap perspectives. Do not let the inherent fear of learning something new about yourself or other people limit you from discovering new ground.

Code Of Honor (Ketch Pen November 2009)

There are two groups we get placed into based on how we approach life.  We either approach situations with "black & white" thought process or our thoughts are a little more blended in which they fall into "gray" decisions.  What happens though if our decisions are black & white at times and gray at other times?  Does this mean we are just lost in life or does it mean we created a "charcoal" group of thinkers?

Recently I've spent a fair amount of time doing that thinking thing again.  Thinking or reflecting can be something that proves difficult or painful to engage in.  I don't fault anyone that chooses not to reflect back on past experiences in their life.  It can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences we as humans may have.  That business they call “emotion” can be a dangerous territory to enter into, so tread lightly!  Much to my chagrin, I choose to reflect back on experiences I have had.  I keep telling myself the big guy above must keep giving me interesting life experiences for a reason and I’ve learned I better listen if He's talking.  Recently my reflection has been centered on a man very dear to my life and many others, including the cattle industry.  The many memories and thoughts I had led me to this box we put ourselves in regarding how to think.  The man in my life was a true role model.  What made him such a good role model was his code of honor.  Three words which we don't hear too often these days.  I got to thinking about discussions we'd had recently on how he lived his life.  It seems folks can always think of experiences and examples of day to day life with someone.  However when my family combined all of our memories of life with my father we had only one result.  Our memories were not really of actual events or stories, our memories were of the man that he was, the man he grew in Christ to be and that was a man of honor. 

Honor might imply perfection; however perfection is the farthest thing from my thoughts.  Honor is something much deeper, honor is making tough decisions, the decisions you either face head-on or cowardly run away from.  Honorable people face those decisions that often result in taking the more difficult path because it is the right thing to do rather than taking the easy way out.  They are the black and white decisions of wrong verses right.  A true man of honor however, knows that living a life only in black and white might not always be the right thing.  Sometimes in our lives decisions require compassion or more often they require empathy.  The world around us likes to put people in a box and makes folks uncomfortable when they cannot seem to fit everything into that box.  Our world cannot wrap its mind around someone doing something against the grain, especially if it involves morals or values.  Instead we learn being black white in our moral decisions is wrong or close-minded. Growing up, here I had always thought black and white meant sticking to your personal beliefs and ethical code or “sticking to your guns” as I prefer!  Just when I wrapped my head around the world wanting me to think grayer and just blend in better, it changed the rules.  Now, I learned that being “gray” can imply wishy-washy, flaky behavior; someone ready to lean whichever way the wind blows.  Now I was stumped and didn’t know what to think.  I thought adding a little gray to my palette meant that sometimes not every situation I would face could be handled the same, I might need to add some heart to the equation. 

It seems I had figured out the exact situation that millions were finding themselves in.  Across the nation & world, today's population is at an all-time low of not sure what kind of decisions to make anymore, often they just let someone else decide for them.  We are surrounded by a new acceptance of folks just sitting on their thumbs waiting for the world around them to decide how they should think.

I do know that I am still quite capable of making my own decisions: black, white, gray, pick a color.  The decision I was quickly able to make was my thankfulness for the 25 years I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a man with honor.  His honor gave me an example of living life that was far different than what the world tells us every day.  All this reflection over recent weeks led me to a final decision that it is okay to be more of a charcoal thinker, I could blend my solid black & white values with some gray based thoughts every now and then, end up being exactly the person God meant for me to be.  I was confident in my thoughts because I had been influenced by a strong, self-assured role model that had conviction in his every decision.  When the world told me it's not "cool" to go after your passions, not okay to befriend the person that didn't fit into a mold, or remain ethical no matter the cost; someone else in my life showed me differently.  As humans we all struggle doing the right thing all the time and we always will as perfection is out of reach.  However, if we keep people around us that live to a similar code of honor, we should be just fine. 

As we in this industry face each day, let us remain holding tight to our code of honor.  Every day seems to get more and more difficult to live as cattlemen in this world, let alone as cattlemen with honor.  Are we going to take the easy way, no matter how unethical or deceitful it is?  Or will we take the more difficult road, remaining true to what we know is right?  My hope is our industry remains true to what has been instilled in us as the right thing to do.  Do not listen to world's voice inside your head telling you nice guys finish last.  Nice guys will always finish first at the very end of the race, their perseverance and endurance of remaining honorable puts them ahead when it matters most.  Our industry is up against the grayest of gray thinkers every single day.  Many out there do not have personal values anymore or have their own true opinions.  Let us continue thinking outside the box, while bringing black & white values with us every step of the way.  If we are able to remain open minded enough to adapt to situations that block our path, yet remain strong enough in ourselves to not get lost along the way, we will be able to finish first when it truly matters.

John Douglas Feusner

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

John Douglas Feusner, 59 of Selah, passed away Friday September 18, 2009 at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and children. John was born in 1950 to Dr. Henry and Mary Edith Feusner in Longview, WA. John was raised in Longview until he attended college at Washington State University. He married Frances Schneider early 1973 and graduated from WSU that spring with his B.S. in Animal Science. At WSU John was active in the Beef Center, College Rodeo Team and Block & Bridle Club. He made many dear friendships that would continue throughout his life. Upon graduation John and Frances settled in Selah to operate Schneider-Feusner cattle ranch. Their first child, John W was born the following winter. John worked hard and steadfast as a cattleman in the early years of their move to Selah. His hard work ethic and honor to his family was something later he would be well known for. In 1975 Schneider-Feusner Ranch was named Yakima County Cattlemen of the Year. This achievement was very meaningful to him and his wife. He remained active in the Washington Cattlemen's Association long after this honor. In 1977 John and Fran welcomed their second child, Jacob. At that time the family was actively involved in Central Lutheran church and John served on the church council. Later, they attended Memorial Bible Church and he counted many there as dear friends. In 1984 they welcomed their third child, daughter Jenna. John's family was truly complete with the addition of his three grandchildren: Henry, Anna, and Mary Feusner. He was very proud of each of their character and kind hearts. Everything from soccer games, ranch visits, to card games with the kids was a blessing.

In addition to running a cattle and hay ranch and raising his family, John was active in a variety of organizations. Some of his involvements include Washington Cattlemen's Association, Wenas Volunteer Fire Department, Wenas Irrigation Board, Yakima County Weed Board, Kellogg Foundation, Solar Dollars, and numerous others. John was an avid lifelong learner in all pursuits. Many years ago he studied Holistic Resource Management and strived daily to be a good steward of the land thru ranching. However, the greatest of John's accomplishments was his ability to evolve & improve the relationships with those closest to him. He used the many trials God had placed in his life to live every day better than the previous day. In the last decade of John's life it was his relationships with Christ, his wife and children that would be his finest legacy. His spirit contained a presence of the Lord's work that could not be denied and his life inspired many. Throughout his family's trials he was never without laughter, a good sense of humor, and most importantly hope and a positive attitude.

John overcame all odds during his strong and inspiring cancer fight of nearly six years. Choosing never to know his prognosis, he put every day in the Lord's hands with his positivity and strength never wavering. We would like to thank Dr. Jones and her staff at North Star Cancer Care. John and Fran grew to know them very well and thankful they shared similar optimistic attitudes. North Star was a blessing to our family; John received incredible care locally and they shared his desire to live life as if he wasn't a cancer patient.

John is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 36 years Frances Feusner, 3 children John W. (Sarah) Feusner, Jacob Feusner, Jenna Feusner, and his three adored grandchildren; Henry, Anna, and Mary Feusner, all of Yakima Valley. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Edith Feusner Walla Walla, WA, sister Jo Ellen (Roger) Dillon Walla Walla, WA, brother Dr. James Feusner (Patricia) Oakland, CA, and sister Jennifer Leach of Longview, WA. John is preceded in death by his father Dr. Henry Feusner, sister Judith Hogan, and nephew Justin Hogan.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, September 25th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A Celebration of John's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yakima, WA. A private family burial will be at Wenas Cemetery. Friends are encouraged to attend a reception immediately following the service to celebrate John's life at Running Springs Ranch, Naches, WA. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.