Page 17 - MWC 9-10-20s

LIFE to suspect that she has lost
continued from page 5
dog, crossed with an Austra-
lian Shepherd) came to live
with us about seven years
ago. She replaced the best cow
dog I ever had, but because of
her mixed heritage, my expec-
tations for her were very low.
I was just hoping to get a dog
that I might be able to train
to be a reliable protector of
the farmstead, and be some-
one to ride along with me, as I
checked cows and calves each
day.
Over the years, she has far
exceeded my expectations,
becoming a constant compan-
ion and a pretty decent cat-
tle dog, while alerting us to
any uninvited guests, wheth-
er they be human or animal.
Unfortunately, she has been
afflicted, throughout her en-
tire life, with chronic ear in-
fections. I’ve taken her to the
veterinarian more times than
I’ve ever taken any animal
in my life, and continue to
consistently administer oral
antibiotics and eardrops as
if she were my child. For the
past few weeks, I’ve begun
most, if not all, of her sense of
hearing. When I call for her, continued from page 6
she doesn’t come, if I am out
of her line of sight, and that’s
not like her. Fortunately, I do
believe she understands sign
language.
This morning, when she
came to the front porch, where
Judy and I were sitting after
breakfast, Judy simply point-
ed to the edge of the porch
where she had a leftover bowl
of gravy. Bernie ran over and
devoured it. Tonight, when a
few calves got too close to the
cattle-guard entrance to our
yard, I pointed toward them
and Bernie immediately ran
down and chased them away,
back into the pasture. When
the faithful dog returned
from her task, I simply dou-
bled up my fist and my com-
panion gently touched it with
her paw, as if to give me a “fist
bump” for a job well done.
I’m just saying…my dog…
is pretty smart.
The Midwest Cattleman · September 10, 2020 · P17
WINTER WHEAT
that profits are made on the
buy and only collected at sale;
a range of purchase prices, that is to say “bought right is
feed costs, and average daily half sold”.
gain result in a range of esti- General economic uncer-
mated March breakeven pric- tainty and volatility will con-
es from $129 - $139/cwt. with tinue to be particularly im-
the most likely values from portant in cattle markets and
$132-$136/cwt. for animals risk management should be
weighing about 750 pounds carefully considered. Futures
at sale. Current March feeder markets may offer an oppor-
futures, adjusted for Oklaho- tunity to lock in a margin on
ma basis, suggest a 750-pound winter grazing. However, risk
steer price of about $140/cwt. management requires deliber-
in early March. Market condi- ate action to implement a plan.
tions right now suggest some Market opportunities are often
potential for winter grazing re- fleeting, and producers may
turns above production costs. have to act quickly to take ad-
Markets will no doubt vantage of changing market
evolve this fall and producers conditions. It is important
must continue to evaluate win- to have a marketing and risk
ter grazing potential under dy- management plan in place to
namic market conditions. Win- help guide stocker purchases
ter grazing potential may vary and production. Winter wheat
widely for a range of stocker grazing seasons in the South-
production alternatives. Prior ern Plains typically include a
to purchase, producers should range of conditions. Fall 2020
consider flexibility for stocker is starting with some potential
operations including the size and perhaps a bit of excite-
of animals purchased, animal ment.
gender and quality and length
of grazing period. The old Oklahoma State
adage of stocker production is University
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