Scott's Thoughts

Is there a difference,....You bet!!

2009-06-09T21:52:00.002-06:00

Ladies and Germs,

After equal doses of neglect and admonishment I sit before this screen wringing out what is left of the rivulets of thought passing between my ears. (Wasn't college great)!!

With fair season close at hand I thought we might talk a bit about showmanship in our livestock projects. While there are volumes and many blogs we can share on other issues, let's focus on showmanship and its values.

Having shown livestock in 4-H for 11 years, judged livestock at the 4-H and collegiate levels, and having judged multiple species at several county and state fairs I feel like I can offer a word or two on the subject of showmanship.

First and foremost we need to understand that showmanship is an arena that we can all compete on even footing. That's what I like most about this aspect of the competition. As a judge I am making this all about YOU, not your critter. I am evaluating the amount of knowledge you posess, your skill level in exhibiting your animal, and the obvious amount of good old fashioned elbow grease and time you have put forth. This includes, but is not limited to, how the animal is presented--is it show ring ready? Clean, clipped, trimmed, in show condition, and most importantly---manageable? These things tell me, as a judge, just how involved you have been with your project. Your calf doesn't have to be a class winner to win showmanship, that's up to you. If I ask you where the rack is on your lamb, you will need to be able to show me and tell me why that might be something worth knowing. If I ask you what your feed program has been for your pig project I expect to hear something beyond, "Dad feeds him grain every day". I expect you to inform me through your presentations; orally, physically, and mentally, that you are a hands on caretaker, trainer, and student of the industry your project represents. I expect you to have spent the time and effort, blood, sweat and tears that it takes to bring a top caliber exhibit into the show ring for me to evaluate. And trust me, it is fairly easy to separate the kids who do their own work as opposed to a different situation. ('Nuther day, folks).

My whole point here is that you don't have to spend the family savings to "be competetive". Let the muckity mucks go spend $15,000 on a steer that will sell for $6,500 as the fair champion. I want you to be the sensible individual that spends what you can on a project you are interested in. Then I want you to learn everything you can about that project and industry. Trust me, you will be easy to find. You'll be the one who actually knows something!

On a closing note, I would like to offer that the showmanship buckle/trophy and ribbons are just the same as the others...sort of. They just don't hold all the debt some of the others do.

Colorado Boer Classic

2008-09-19T21:56:00.002-06:00

The innaugural Colorado Boer Classic, held August 30, 2008 at the Southeast Weld County Fairgrounds, Keenesburg, CO, was a great day--top to bottom. Hosted by Pleasant Bayou Farm, E-I-E-I-Owe Farms, Mauck Boer Goats, Ritchey-Phipps Show Goats, TNJ Boers, and Lucky Clover Boers, the event featured an American Boer Goat Association sanctioned show and invitational production sale following the show.

Ewing Downen, Early, TX, was charged with the task of evaluating approximately 60 head of quality, percentage, purebred, and fullblood breeding animals. Mr. Downen did an admirable job of sorting through the breeders' offerings, lending comment and critique along the way. Randy and Cindy Dusek, Lazy S-T Ranch, San Angelo, TX, had a very good day, capturing Overall Grand Champion Buck as well as Overall Grand Champion Percentage Doe honors. Nebraska Boer Goats, Greg and Gloria Floyd, Scottsbluff, NE, continued their streak of Overall Grand Champion Fullblood Doe with their great female that seems nigh unbeatable this year! A full and official show results schedule will be published and posted pending ABGA verification and acceptance.

The Colorado Boer Classic Sale turned out to be an equal success, offering 35 percentage and fullblood females, 5 Fullblood bucks, and 17 head of Stock Show age wethers. Buyers representing 4 states viewed the Labor Day weekend offering and bid actively when the sale began at 2:30 pm, with Wayne Kruse of Centennial Livestock Auction, Ft. Collins, crying the sale. 35 does found new homes at an average price tag of $251.43. Randy and Cindy Dusek, Lazy S-T, San Angelo, TX, purchased the high selling doe for $450, consigned by E-I-E-I-Owe Farms, Keenesburg, CO. The offering of bucks was limited, but well received as 5 stud buck prospects averaged $365.00. Tim Seltzer of Briggsdale, CO loaded the crown jewel of the bucks on his trailer and traded paper with consignor, TNJ Boers, Gill, CO, for $675. Volume buyer at the sale was Derrick Brown of Ft. Collins, CO who spoke for a total of 14 head. Another very lively arm at the CBC sale was Bryce Waugh who relocated 11 head of quality caprines to Buffalo, OK. The Washington Focus 4-H crew did a great job at keeping everyone fed and hydrated during the event. Hats off to 'ya!

Once again, we would like to thank all who attended and participated in this first time event. Mark your calendars for next year...same time..Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, same place...SE Weld County Fairgrounds, Keenesburg, CO. We'll see you there!

The Power of Positive Thinking

2008-05-31T09:02:00.002-06:00

My high school counselor once told me that big shots are just little shots that keep shooting. That phrase has continued to come to the surface through most of my semi-adult life. Though the metaphor is entertaining, at least, I believe it holds some real value.

The wether goat that you see pictured on the home page of our website is a good example. We took our show goats to the Extravaganza and just put that little wether on the trailer so my nephew would have another goat to show. That almost didn't happen due to events of the preceding evening. (There is a reason he was dubbed "Screwball"). Screwball was much younger than probably every goat there, thus putting him at a real disadvantage. My thoughts were that Ben would get to show him in class, get "out-horsed", then take him back to the pen. More and more goats were sent to the rail, and Ben and Screwball were still out there! This is a two and a half month old wether that weighed into the medium heavy class and is making a run at the "big boys". Now he's 5th, Now he's 4th for sure, can't do any worse than 3rd..and on up where he won his class! Ben worked hard showing that wether and it paid off, quite literally, when he took Screwball back in for the Grand Champion Drive and took home all the marbles from the jackpot. As much as my expectations were wildly exceeded, Ben believed in himself and Screwball as a team and quietly worked his way to the top. Ben didn't know that the older, larger, assumptively high priced wethers were supposed to win that jackpot. He kept a positive, open frame of mind and good things happened. He also learned lesson one of being an effective salesman,.....PMA=OPM. (Positive Mental Attitude = Other Peoples Money)!

So next time you face adversity, uncertainty, fright, fight, or flogging, don't give up! Don't sell yourself short and settle for less. Put on your PMA, work diligently, believe in yourself and keep going. Remember, big shots are just little shots that keep shooting.

Spring Has Sprung!

2008-04-21T09:46:00.001-06:00

Here at E-I-E-I-Owe Farms, we are quite happy to see the greening of spring, arrival of newborns, and warmer weather. The airport has kept me pretty busy over the course of the winter, so now I can dedicate a little more time to the farming and livestock ends of this operation.

Weld County Goat Extravaganza is just ahead this weekend, with plenty of other functions to follow. The Western Meat Goat Test needs to get kicked into high gear to start June 1, and we, along with other fellow Boer breeders, are planning a show/sale in late August. Along with the usual doses of farm and fair season, I think we will stay plenty busy.

Need to go check on a kidding doe, cook the wife brunch, clean irrigation ditches, check the cows and whatever else pops up!

C'ya
Scott

To Show Or Not To Show

2007-10-22T08:05:00.000-06:00

To show or not to show, that is the question. When we first jumped into the goat business we were a little curious as to why most of the groups, associations, and producers we sought out seemed to be all about showing. Coming from a cattle background, I was much more interested in co-ops and marketing groups to support and promote the commercial breeder. I still think that the commercial producers are the most important segment of the meat goat industry and developing the infrastructure to support this burgeoning industry is the most significant task we face. Yet I digress.

After having extrapolated the numbers, it became apparent that the carrying capacity of our little place was not going to support the kind of numbers we would need to run in order to have a profitable, purely commercial herd. Thusly, the seedstock end of the industry is where we have placed our emphasis. In my mind, it is the job of the registered seedstock producer to offer a highly superior genetic product to the commercial market, wether producers, and other seedstock producers. Assuming that we have put our best efforts and resources to good use, how do we tap into that market? How do I let people know that I have good goats and how do I create a demand for them? Advertise!

To Show: We consider the show ring a major advertising tool for our little operation. You can show percentage, purebred, and fullblood breeding animals among their peers in classification and age group. You can look at your goats with a critical eye while they are in the pen/pasture at home all you want, but there is no substitute for seeing them alongside other breeders and programs. If you have a vision for where you are going, the show ring can give you a good barometer for where you are. Take your best and see how they stack up to the best that others have to offer. Be objective while the judge is evaluating the animals. Listen to what he has to say, you just might learn something. His selection criteria may not always match yours, but that doesn't neccesarily mean that your program is headed south. He is judging against a standard, not trying to match breed your herd, that's your job.

"Goin' showin'" is hands-on advertising. You are getting your product viewed by your demographic target audience. Not just by those showing, but by those who attend the show. Many times other local/regional producers will attend the show to "walk the barn", watch the show, and see if there are animals there that fit what they are doing at home. Remember that every successful breeder is always trying to build a better widget. Talk to them, give out a card or two, discuss what your animals have to offer. MARKET. Promote what you produce, and promote yourself. Johnny Q. may have some of the best goats in the barn, but if I think he's a flake, chances are pretty good that he is not going to earn my business. Not to prostitute anybody, but you are selling yourself every bit as much as you are selling your program. One will not stand without the other.

Networking is another big part of why we show. We have, and continue to meet and develop relationships with other breeders from all parts of the country. Every hand you shake and hat you tip is a potential market for you, both now and in the future; direct or indirect. It is a small world.

The learning opportunities that present themselves to you are abundant and lend great value to the whole show experience. Most 'goat people' are more than happy to take some time and talk to you, answer a question or two, or do a little brainstorming. Learn from your personal failures and the success of others. Take home those pieces that fit and integrate them into your program.

Or Not To Show: There is no doubt that going to a show or two or ten represents some significant spending opportunities in cash and time resources. If your resident financial consultant is anything like mine, there are "doable" and "don't ask" options out there. To date, going to "Nationals" falls into the latter, but not off the radar screen for me. There are also risk factors such as accident, injury, or exposure to disease that can have far reaching ramifications. Good management practices can help mitigate some of these concerns, but not all. As with everything in life, there exists the opportunity for failure, and by consequence, the opportunity to improve.

In Summary: The cost/benefit annalysis and risk assesment will lie squarely on your shoulders as a registerd seedstock producer. The investment of captital and time into your herd deserves consideration beyond the local sale barn.

Maiden Voyage

2007-10-14T17:04:00.000-06:00

Hey all,

Knowing I don't do well with New Year's Resolutions, I thought I'd see if Pre-Halloween Resolutions work any better for me

I) I resolve to keep our website more current.
II) I will not fire my IT team, but have had terse words with her. (Of course, in the end I acquiessed and said, "Yes, dear".
III) I resolve to be more real-time as I learn to use this blog thing.

Don't want to over do it, so we'll call that a good start.

Lynda and I have had a good goat year thus far, and would like to thank everyone who has made it a success! We look forward to seeing many of you at the 2008 National Western Stock Show.

Probably the most gratifying, if not time consuming, endeavor was the first annual "Western Meat Goat Test". A meat goat feed performance test designed for bucks, WMGT had 48 bucks arrive at CSU's ARDEC facility on June 1. The actual 87 day test period began June 15, and the bucks went off test on Sept. 10, with 44 bucks averaging .635 lbs. daily gain. The 29th of Sept. culminated the event with seminars from Drs. Frank Craddock and Mike Salsbury, TAMU and Angelo State respectively, lecturing on genetic selection and nutrition. Following a tasty, complimentary, goat burrito lunch catered by the CSU Meats Lab, 20 performance qualified bucks were sold at auction. The quality, young, sire prospects averaged $344.75 with a top bid of $800 on a solid red buck with a 3.0 REA, (the test high), from Kim Price, Delta, CO.

Many thanks are due to many folks for making the test a great event. Most notably:

1) Everyone at Colorado State University, Dep't. of Animal Sciences--ARDEC--

2) Nutrition Services Feeds, York, NE. Without NSI's involvement and support, this never would have got past the planning stages.

3) The cooperating producers for being forward thinking and finding value in the data being generated.

We look ahead to an even better test next year!