Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere

A couple of hen pheasants outside our house on a windy day. The past 10 years or so the bird population has really taken off for some reason and we are seeing more turkeys, grouse, and pheasants than ever. I'm not complaining but it is interesting.



A couple of sharp tailed grouse foraging for food where I fed the cows earlier in the season. These are the first I've seen on the cows feedground this year.

Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we'll soon be in trouble. Roger Tory Peterson

If this asshole didn't know how to deal with kids, why was he babysitting them? He needs something worse than biting done to him.

People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them. Eric Hoffer

I'm not much for end of the year lists but the National Association of Farm Broadcasting came out with one which peaked my interest.

Top Ten farm stories of 2005

NAFB's Top-10 Stories of the Year for 2005:

1. Energy costs spike and squeeze producer profitability . Some of the impacts of this news item have already been demonstrated. USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins in December said higher energy and input prices had cost U.S. farmers and ranchers an additional $5.3 billion in 2005 compared to 2004. But some of the impacts of higher energy costs, like a potential switching of acreage to less input-intensive crops, won't be known until 2006.

2. Hurricane Katrina devastates Southern agriculture and snarls the U.S grain transportation system . For farmers and ranchers in Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama, the impact of Hurricane Katrina can hardly be overstated. But the hurricane had a major effect on all of U.S. agriculture, as hundreds of grain barges were taken out of service and Mississippi navigation was disrupted, just as some of the biggest U.S. corn and soybean crops in history were coming out of the field. River transportation costs shot to historically high levels, and already high energy costs spiked.

3. U.S. Supreme Court finds checkoffs constitutional . In May, the U.S. Supreme Court by a 6 to 3 vote ruled the Beef Checkoff doesn't violate the U.S. Constitution. The decision resolved a years-long legal fight over Checkoff-related First Amendment issues. The decision also applied to an outstanding lower court ruling against the Pork Checkoff, and appeared to assure producer-funded research and promotion efforts would continue into the foreseeable future.

4. Congress passes comprehensive energy bill with Renewable Fuels Standard . After years of unsuccessful efforts, Congress finally passed an energy bill in July that included a 7.5-billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS, to be implemented in stages between 2006 and 2012. The inclusion of the RFS was a major victory for the U.S. ethanol industry. But, ironically, high energy costs have driven ethanol demand more than prospects of a government mandate.

5. Japan re-opens market to U.S beef . U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns, during his Senate confirmation hearings in January, said getting Japan to re-open its market to U.S beef was his top priority. 11 months later, and nearly two years after it originally closed, Japan finally did. But the victory was only partial. Japan will only accept beef from U.S. cattle 20-months old or younger, and most meat industry officials agree it will take years before Japan regains its former status as America's most valuable beef market.

6. Asian Soybean Rust has no impact on U.S. soybean production in 2005 . When Asian Soybean Rust turned up in Louisiana in November of 2004, it quickly spread, and was found in nine U.S states before 2005 began. Producers were advised to watch out for Asian Soybean Rust in the 2005 growing season, and some worried there might not be enough fungicide to handle a major outbreak. But the fungal disease didn't over winter well, and for most of the growing season, Asian Soybean Rust remained confined to Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

7. U.S. Senate Confirms Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture . Since NAFB broadcasters named U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns as the NAFB Ag Leader of 2005, it's perhaps not surprising that his Senate confirmation made the NAFB Top-10 Farm Stories of the Year. Still, the Senate confirmation hearings gave the country a first glimpse of just how active Johanns would be as U.S. Agriculture Secretary. It also demonstrated the Nebraska Governor was well versed on agricultural issues, and could articulate his position on those issues thoughtfully and convincingly.

8. U.S. re-opens border to Canadian live cattle . After the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a lower-court injunction against USDA's Minimal Risk Rule in July, USDA moved immediately to re-open the U.S border to Canadian slaughter cattle under 31-months of age. As predicted in advance, the move didn't result in a wall of cattle coming south from Canada, and had little impact on cattle prices. But re-opening the U.S. border did remove an embarrassing political reality, as the Bush administration's pressure on Japan to end its U.S. beef ban seemed at odds with America's ban on Canadian slaughter cattle.

9. U.S Ag Secretary Mike Johanns holds dozens of farm bill listening sessions in partnership with NAFB . In May, Secretary Johanns announced he would hold Farm Bill Forums across the United States in the months ahead, and that the professional farm broadcasters of NAFB would moderate many of them. Johanns himself attended over 20 of the listening sessions, which had the result of beginning the national debate on the 2007 farm bill more than two years before the 2002 farm bill expired. It also signaled the Bush administration would take a much more active role in crafting the 2007 farm bill than it did in 2002.

10. U.S. corn crop is second largest ever as Midwest drought is less severe than thought . In the summer of 2005, comparisons to the drought year of 1988 were widespread, especially in Illinois and eastern Iowa. Some analysts believed corn production, after hitting nearly 12-billion bushels in 2004, would dip below 10-billion bushels in 2005. Individual producers were hurt by drought in 2005. But between advances in corn plant genetics, and timely rains in some areas, U.S. corn producers brought in the second-largest U.S. corn crop ever, at just over 11-billion bushels.

Overall I would have to agree with their assessment. As a cattle producer I might put them in a little different order but they are right.

A list is only as strong as its weakest link. Donald Knuth

A very warm wet snow yesterday. It never froze so it was a wet muddy mess while feeding. It didn't stop the cows from enjoying their feed but it made things miserable for us. Oh well, that's the way it goes.

I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves. Ludwig Wittgenstein

I see up in Missoula there is now a cat named Lucky.

Firefighters rescue caged cat from icy Missoula river

People, I'm not sure they qualify as people personally, who abandon their critters like this cat or my dog Lucky need to be abandoned to the elements and see how they like it.

By the way, Bravo Zulu to the firefighters for rescuing the kitty.

All cruelty springs from weakness. Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I see the hoorah over the Last Best Place trademark is still not over.

Two ‘Last Best Place' trademarks approved

I found a couple of things interesting about this.

The actual wording in the bill regarding the trademark is this: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, no funds appropriated under this act shall be used to register, issue, transfer or enforce any trademark of the phrase ‘Last Best Place.' ”

As with all appropriations legislation, the law is limited to the fiscal year - Oct. 1, 2005 to Sept. 30, 2006.

The timing and the wording place Lipson's trademarks and his remaining applications in a “strange limbo,” Missoula trademark lawyer Shane Vannatta said Wednesday.

The law doesn't say that a trademark for the phrase cannot be owned. It renders the trademark effectively useless - but only for the fiscal year, Vannatta said. The language would need to be inserted into appropriations bills every year to block the trademarks.

.......

As for the peculiar wording of the legislation, it was done on purpose, Pendleton said.

Burns wanted a temporary - not permanent - solution to the trademark controversy. The door was left open to give the state a chance to own the mark, Pendleton said.

“Burns didn't want to block it away for good,” Pendleton said.

So, the rest of the applications are in limbo until next year and if nothing happens can be acted upon then. Doesn't seem like a real good solution to me.

The article also says the "The door was left open to give the state a chance to own the mark." Is Gov Schweitzer doing anything about this situation to protect this phrase for our State? I haven't heard of anything. Maybe he needs to get out of the national media spotlight and do something for the citizens of the state, like figure out if there is a way to permanently protect the phrase "Last Best Place" for all Montanans.

It will be interesting to see if the Governor will do anything about this or not. It will sure tell me where his priorities are at one way or another.

Action expresses priorities. Mohandas Gandhi

One of my faithful readers sent me an e-mail copy of the 2006 Hooters calender. I was very happy that this person thought of me and sent the calendar with such beautiful pictures adorning it. I considered being selfish and not sharing but I decide to let all you guys, and gals if your interested, partake in the beautiful images. Continue reading "Calender" »

It still is too warm around here and getting real slick and muddy. This is December and it shouldn't be happening. I still have over two weeks worth of big square bales to haul from home to feed the cows and it's so muddy I can't load and get them hauled over to the cows.



Now they are talking snow tonight and it will fall on the mud making it even worse. Getting it froze back up around here to feed easily and get the load of cake in I've been waiting for is going to be a pain. This weather is just unbelievable.

Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. Gilbert K. Chesterton

The squeaky wheel gets oiled first. I guess I just don't complain about things enough.

FWP takes aim at hay-eating elk near Buffalo

I read this article a few days ago and thought of a few things.

1. Landowners don't let the public hunt and then complain that the wildlife are damaging their property. WAH!!! I really feel for them.

2. Why can't the people whose hay is getting eaten fence the stacks off?

3. I'd better go over and check the far stack of hay and see if any elk have been in it eating on it. They can make a hell of a mess of a stack of hay.

So, yesterday I went and checked the hay stack to see if there has been any elk around. Sure enough there is some damage to the hay from elk eating it. Not too bad and there is no fresh tracks so I think I will be okay. There is also lots of tracks in the snow where people have been hunting the elk. Fine, shoot them, I don't care, but I'm really thinking I am going to have to build an elk-proof fence around my stackyard to protect it. Looking at the stack I think it can wait until next year especially if the hunters keep the pressure up on the elk and keep them drove off.

If I whine enough will the state help me build this fence? Maybe they would but I have a little bit too much pride to beg to the state for a little money to protect my hay. I've invested a lot of money in it and if I want to protect it I will. I don't understand these people that whine about such things and just don't fix it themselves. Have some backbone and stand on your own two feet.

Take pride in exactly what it is you do and remember it's okay to fail as long as you don't give up. Dan O'Brien

Feds pressure state on methane water rules

The Department of Energy hasn't officially weighed in on the issue, but the agency is preparing an analysis of Montana's proposed rules.

Drilling for coalbed methane involves the release of volumes of groundwater to ease the pressure holding the natural gas in coal seams. The disposal of that water is a huge concern for a number of ranchers and conservationists, who argue that the water can be salty or of poor quality and harmful to crops.

David Alleman, with the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, said they are working under the assumption the rules could impact both Montana and Wyoming gas production.

One of the goals of the agency is to ensure an abundant energy supply for the country. The proposed coalbed methane rule in Montana could get in the way, he said.

The rule could require coalbed methane operators in Wyoming to change the way they release waste water into rivers and streams that flow into Montana. That could curtail gas production, Alleman said.

[sarcasm]Damn the environment, full speed ahead[/sarcasm]. Also, isn't there an issue of states rights here? If Montana wants to set water quality conditions on it's rivers aren't they able to as long as they meet the Federal guidelines? That's the way I thought it was. A states rules could be stricter than the Feds but at the worst needed to meet the Feds requirements.

I don't have time to look all these things up but haven't they shown that the water from these wells can be filtered to make it meet the limits? I remember reading it somewhere and with all the money gas is worth it must be economically feasible to do this and them there wouldn't be a problem, at least about the pollution. Stealing all the groundwater involved in CBM is a different issue that bothers me that I won't get into here. I would just like to know why the Feds are sticking their nose in it.

We make a ladder for ourselves of our vices, if we trample those same vices underfoot. Saint Aurelius Augustine

There is Old Wives Ranchers Tale that if the winter is tough and cold the calves born in the spring will be larger than normal, i.e. larger than if the winter was mild and warm, and you will have more calving difficulties. The theory behind it being that more of a cows energy is directed inward when it is cold to keep the vital functions operating and therefore the fetus gets more nourishment and grows larger. It's always made sense to me so I always bought this explanation.

Guess what, it's right!!

Severity Of Winter And Impact On Calf Birth Weights

Results indicate that cold temperatures influenced calf birth weight. Weather cannot be controlled; however, with below average winter temperatures, larger birth weight calves and more calving difficulty may be expected in the spring.

Sometimes common sense and Old Ranchers Tales are right.

In an area where nothing was known, medicine had to draw on social lore. Virginia Johnson

First off a couple of different shots of the Christmas morning sunrise.





It was a spectacular one yesterday. Hope everyone out there had the same.

I hope every one had a great Christmas day. I did and I didn't. My Darling Wife is going to kill me for mentioning this but I get a little depressed on Christmas this past couple of years. It's somehow really strikes me how different my boy is on days like this and it just makes me a little sad.

Don't get me wrong, he recognized the Santa thing this year and was excited about it in his own way but being autistic the excitement is different than what you expect. It was actually kind of funny on Christmas eve when we put milk and cookies out for Santa. He got so excited he didn't know what to do with himself and just ran around laughing and giggling in excitement. When he finally settled down he went to sleep pretty fast but he was excited.

On Christmas day though he was different. I recognized it, he was so overwhelmed by presents and Santa and Christmas day stuff that he didn't know what to do and got a little out of hand. I understand it all but it just really makes me feel sad that he doesn't see these days like normal kids do. He's different and always will be. I love him dearly just the way he is but I would like so much more for him and there is nothing I can do. That's what makes me so depressed. As a Dad I am supposed to fix everything for my kids and I just can't and it hurts sometimes. For some reason Christmas is one of these days it really affects me.

Otherwise the day was fine. Good food and family fun. Everybody enjoyed their presents for the most part, beware of the Logitech MX500 Cordless Desktop, it's a piece of shit that is getting returned, but besides that everything else went grand.

Sorry to hang this out there on everybody but it's just something I needed to get off my chest. You know how it is, tell someone and it doesn't hurt as bad. Thanks for listening.

Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune. William James

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year. The holiday celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel

Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their G-d, their religion, their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee

Judah and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word "Maccabee", which means hammer. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and to remove the hated Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple was rededicated

When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the N'er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never be extinguished

Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for eight days

Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The word Chanukah means "rededication"

In America, families celebrate Chanukah at home. They give and receive gifts, decorate the house, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday menorah.

Mike K. dropped this in my comments on the Over the Edge post but it deserved to be up in the main section here. Thanks Mike for the Greeting and I pass it on to all of my readers.

From: Me ("the wishor")

To: You ("hereinafter called the wishee") and those you care about ("hereinafter called the wishees")

Please accept without obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, politically correct, low stress, non- addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all; and a financially successful, personally fulfilling and a financially successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but with due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures or sects whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere, and with due respect for those who view America as the main source of evil in the world), and having regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform or dietary preference of the wishee.

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This greeting may not be enforceable in certain jurisdictions and/or the restrictions herein may not be binding upon certain wishees in certain jurisdictions and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wishor.

This greeting is warranted to perform as reasonably may be expected within the usual application of good tidings, for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first.

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