Chain Ranch History

This past year the American National Cattlewomen chose several women to serve as conversation leaders in our beef industry through the United States Farmer's and Rancher's Alliance I was one of those women.and have enjoyed the training through this program which is striving to form a bond between consumers and their food producers.  This video was taken as part of USFRA's competition, Become The Face of Agriculture.  We are trying our luck, but if we don't make the cut, it was something I've been wanting to do with my dad for several years.

Catching Up...

Apologies once again.  I refuse to say that I'll do better at posting because I will not.  My blessed life revolves around my family which today includes 10 grand kids, my husband, my folks, my children and their spouses and a host of in-laws, friends and acquaintances.  I love this life and I wish it were all I had to do- cook, play and visit.

 But fortunately it's not, because if it were I might not ever leave the house.  just revel in this splendid chaos, a scene that resembles Cheaper By The Dozen on most days. I do have the responsibility of helping manage our ranching operations. The blessings of my big family include the fact that now the physical labor is left up to my husband, dad (yes, he's 85 but still climbs aboard his 850 John Deere bulldozer everyday and levels things),brother, sons, son-in-laws, nephew...and now two grandsons that are always ready and willing to jump in the cab of a tractor or combine to pull their share of the load. I've even relinquished my swathing, raking and baling duties which I do miss at times.

My focus over the past eight months has been on the numerous attacks on our industry.  It has been so much of a concern that I've designed (with the help of other concerned animal ag producers) two other blogs: animalagarmed.blogspot.com. and agvoicesunited.blogspot.com  So this explains why I've left my "first love"...my personal blog and website...for a time.

Animal ag producers are under attack like no other time in history.  We are not only having to tell our story to consumers who know little about where their food comes from, but are now having to  stand up against covert attacks within our own industry.   After an incident on our ranch in October it became apparent that some individuals in our own industry have caved to greed. It has left  me confused and now skeptical, groups and individuals who had my complete trust have now lost that trust.

But that's for the other sites.  I will try to keep Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde separate and keep this site carefree and cheerful...but I'm not promising anything.

Catching Up... 
On Ranching
All of the heifers finished calving around the last of March.  Those calves were gathered and worked  (castrated, ear-notched and vaccinated)  this month and turned out on grass.
The grandsons have been to numerous stock shows; won some lost some, always having a great time meeting new friends.
We're cutting canola, getting ready to cut wheat and putting up alfalfa.

 Hmm I'm sounding like those Christmas cards with letters in them that I have trouble reading... (sorry I know some of you send them but if they're longer than two pages...you've lost me)

Anyway

On Other Things
In April I attended the Animal Ag Alliance Summit in D.C. a summit that I will not miss as it  covers issues that will determine whether our family will be able to continue to provide safe, affordable animal protein for the world.
 I hate to fly so I took the train like I have the past two times I've attended.  I love doing this.  I drive three hours from our home, catch Amtrak to Chicago, transfer, go to sleep and wind up in Union Station around noon. I have this down pat as I did it often when our youngest daughter and family lived in D.C. 
Everyone worries about me when I take this trip but I assure them I NEVER let myself get into compromising situations.  That was until this time.  My 2:30 a.m. train was three hours late.  Generally there are several others boarding the train at this time, so I'm never alone.  However this time I was alone...or so I thought.  The quaint little station is tidy; renovated, houses a cute coffee/shop which isn't open at 2:30 a.m. It's relatively safe. I was unaware that my train was going to be three hours late (that's how train travel is) I called to check on arrival times and each time I called it became later and later.   I stayed in my car as long as I could, but after two cups of coffee I had to make my way inside.  As I opened the door to the station a man was lying on the floor under the trendy coffee shop counter.  I immediately did an about face and hurried back to my car.  After sitting/floating I had to try once more.  I thought maybe he'd left.  No, he was still there, but he hadn't moved, so I thought he's either dead or asleep.  So I tippy-toed in and hurried past him.  I just prayed to God that he would protect me ( I shared this story with my husband and told him not to tell my folks because they would worry and he said,  "The Lord always watches out for you; he knows you can't take care of yourself."  So anyway I hurry into the bathroom; hurry out and as I pass a long clothes closet down the hall I hear snoring.  It's another person.  I hurry out and get in my car.  My heart is pounding. There were two of them.  I lock the doors and wait.  But now I must think about getting my cargo into the station (when the train arrives there is no waiting, you either get on or you get left) I had to have everything out and ready to board.  So I just pray again. I get out drag my luggage to the entrance, slip pass the (dead/sleeping?) man, and with snoring coming opposite of him  I hurry and push all my belongings into a corner.  Then I hurry back out to the car/ lock the doors and wait.
I'm then pulled between watching my belongings and getting killed.  "What if they take my stuff?", "No, it's too heavy". "But what if they take the little bag, the one with my laptop?".  So I go back; peek in the door and the man under the trendy coffee shop counter is still laying in the same position.  I'm really thinking he might be dead at this point.  So I open the door and slowly step inside.  It's 5:30 a.m. by now and as I start to walk in I hear rustling coming from the closet.  A disheveled man in khaki shorts, hiking boots and a jean jacket about my age appears.  He said, "We're harmless"  "That's my brother down there and I'm Joe".  I could do nothing more than smile and introduce myself.  By now I could see other cars in the parking lot with folks getting ready to board the train, so I was somewhat more at ease. 
Joe offered me a seat at his table and I accepted. As he was pouring out his life to me another man stepped in with a cup of coffee and a newspaper for Joe.  I'd seen this guy before as he had been in the station when I'd boarded the train on previous trips.  I always thought he worked there.  He didn't.  He was homeless also and Joe's friend. And he had connections with the night shift at Burger King, which explained the coffee.
In the end this homeless man who'd lost his job was a true gentlemen.  He shared his paper (wanted to share his coffee-had to refuse that), and helped me get my bags on the train.
I said a prayer for those three men.  It was such a sad eye-opening experience, but one I feel truly blessed to have encountered.

Season's Greetings-Past, Present and Future
  Andy

Beautiful Bovine Birth



A Full Moon Plus...

The Duty of Calving Out 300 Synchronized Bred 1st Calf Heifers...



Is Not...

 

For The Weak...

 

Or Faint of Heart.



Witnessing the Beauty of Birth...PRICELESS


So to clarify some things if you're new to bovine births.  Synchronizing heifers, in our case, means bringing their heat cycles closer  together through a fairly complicated process and then artificially inseminating the animal.  What it all boils down to: approximately 300 first calf heifers start having their calves within a 10 day period.  This gets pretty intense as you can have several heifers calving at the same time.
It is important to use bulls with low birth weights on first calf heifers.  EPD's or  Expected Progeny Differences allow  producers to pick sires that fit their programs.
In most cases if a low birth weight bull is used, the heifer will not need assistance in calving, however; there are always a few that need help.  This certain night we were up until 2:00 a.m. delivering.



Merry (Retro) Christmas

I have to say this was a Christmas to remember. God has poured out his blessings on our family and I am so very, very thankful.  One of those blessings has been the opportunity I have had to enjoy my close-knit group of creative, funny, quick-witted, quirky kids and their spouses.

 This year they had a grand plan...

locate the ugliest Christmas sweater or outfit ever and wear it for our family Christmas. The hard part was finding one. It seems this was a popular event, not just in rural Oklahoma, but everywhere. We were in Minnesota several weeks ago and a thrift store in The Mall of America (yes a thrift store-a chain thrift store-there were three of them in the mall) was selling these things for $20 a piece!  Finally I found ours at our local thrift shop for $1.99.  It was such a big hit we're making plans for next year!  Someone mentioned Easter outfits...we'll wait and see about that one.

Not all the kiddos were as excited about dressing the part.  Those refusing to dress ugly were required to wear a Santa hat.

hmm?

Green pin-striped seersucker pants completes #1 RFM's Christmas outfit.

My dad escaped the ugly outfit and Santa's hat-seniority rules.

God Bless You and Yours!

"What'll You Give?"

Thought I'd update you on what's happening on the Chain Ranch.  We've been really busy getting ready for our 2nd Annual Red Dirt Red Angus Sale.  
We have had cattle sales on our places for the past 14 or 15 years, always hiring a sale company to put them on.  The last two years we have been doing most of the work ourselves along with the @Oklahoma Red Angus Association and @Cattle In Motion and @Superior Livestock .  Come On Out Saturday and Enjoy The Day.
If you're really feeling adventurous and you're a golfer...or not... come watch the Pasture Golf Tourney on Friday.  It's getting more attention than the sale!

Need a Hug? Try Psalm 15

I opened my Bible this morning for my daily study and turned to this scripture.  Many of us are going through some difficult times right now, and this scripture gave me comfort and guidance. It put everything into perspective...at least it did for me...for today.  I'll have to read his word again tomorrow because it just doesn't stick:)  Have a Great Saturday and Remember He's In Control!

"The Character of Those Who May Dwell With The Lord"

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? 

   Who may live on your holy mountain?

The one whose walk is blameless, 

   who does what is righteous, 

   who speaks the truth from their heart; 

whose tongue utters no slander, 

   who does no wrong to a neighbor, 

   and casts no slur on others; 

who despises a vile person 

   but honors those who fear the LORD; 

who keeps an oath even when it hurts, 

   and does not change their mind; 

 who lends money to the poor without interest; 

   who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

   Whoever does these things 

   will never be shaken

Memories of Droughts

                      My dad is 85 years old and a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.  He serves as president of the Cowboy Story Tellers of  the Western Plains.  A couple of times a year a newsletter is printed and being the president he is required to write an article.  Today his story was on the droughts he had witnessed and I thought it too good not to share.  There are more "drought" stories, and he promised he would elaborate more so watch for Part II of Memories of Drought and other stories from my dad, Ralph Chain.                 
P.S. If you're interested in becoming a member of the Story Tellers' Assn. meet us in Pretty Praire, KS November 5th!

                          Memories of Droughts

About anywhere we’ve been this summer, all we heard about is how dry and how hot it
has been. We were in the Kansas Flinthills this week selling cows at El Dorado, Kansas, and about all we heard at the sale barn were people talking about running out of water and creeks and ponds going dry. Some of the ranches had grass but no water. Thank goodness, on our rancheswe still have grass and water. My theory has been - every year is a drought, and we don’t know when that year’s going to happen. We have stocked our ranches because of the experiences I have gone through in my 84 years in Dewey County.

The first drought I remember was in the 1930's when my sister, Wymola, and I were bringing our milk cows in about 3:00 in the afternoon. The sky turned completely dark, and we ran to the house thinking the world was coming to an end. It was dust rolling in from Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas, and the wind blew all night long, covering our beds, tables, and anything else that dust could settle on. But we managed.

The government was buying cattle because there was no feed, and no one had anything to feed their cattle. They were giving $10.00 a head for the cattle, digging trenches, and then driving the cattle in the trenches and shooting them. My grandad and my dad never sold any cattle to this program, but we did buy some of our neighbors cattle, that were going to have theirs shot. We survived the drought of the 1930's.

The next drought was in the 1950's, which lasted nearly four years. We hauled hay from Nebraska and South Dakota and had hay shipped in from Wisconsin to survive that drought.

That year the Blackjack trees and grass died because the drought lasted so long. I remember our neighbor selling his cows at the Woodward Sale Barn for $45.00 a head. We had two employees that went broke during this drought because they had bought high-priced cows before the market broke, and they went to work for us.
The neighbor that sold his cows for $45.00 a head toward the end of the drought, which no one knew when it would end, those same sort of cows the next year at the Woodward Sale Barn brought $245.00 a head, because is started raining and people had grass and wanted to stock their pastures.

The next drought was in the 1980's. That drought was not nearly as bad as the two preceding ones because people had learned how to conserve the soil, put up hay and irrigation had been developed in Eastern Colorado, Western Kansas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Large feedlots were developed in the 1970's and the drought hit in the 1980's. Everybody was wanting to build a feedlot and put cattle in them. Feedlots became as numerous as filling stations because everyone wanted to feed cattle. This went real well until all the feedlots became full, and the fat cattle were all being shipped to market at the same time. Feedlots didn’t want to sell the cattle and kept feeding them until some of the cattle weighed 1500 to 1700 lbs.
The President put a ceiling on the price of fat cattle because beef got so high since people were putting so many cattle in feedlots.

But we survived the drought and the low cattle prices of the 1980's because we were prepared for a drought.
Our family and employees wonder why we have five balers and why we put up all that hay; now they know.
We try to have a year’s supply of hay to carry over.

One of our best friends, Bud Light (not the beer-that was his real name!), ran the elevator at Canton for a number of years. People would come in and complain that it was never going to rain again, then it would start raining and they would complain that is was never going to stop. They were always complaining about something. Bud said he had been to a lot of funerals, but he hadn’t been to one yet where the ole boy ever starved to death. He might have worried himself to death, but he didn’t starve.

So let us count our blessings and not our problems, the Lord will take care of us.

Hope to see you all at the next Storyteller’s Meeting in Pretty Prairie, KS
November 5,2011!                              
                                                            Ralph Chain