The Coffee Shop
This page is
to give you a little outtake about our daily lives, our family, our cattle and
news in the Braunvieh & cattle business. It gives us a chance to look back at
the year, let our friends and family know what we are up to, occasionally blow
off some steam and we hope you find it informative and entertaining. Pull up a
chair, a cup of coffee and visit with us anytime.
Sept 2010
August 2010
8/16
We have gotten most things replaced that got damaged by
the lightning but we are still not complete on the computers. What a hassle!
It's been
extremely hot - I'm talking 110 with no breeze and high humidity. Needless to
say we are not doing much. I did manage to get a truckload of stone and put it
in mud holes. In many parts of the state it is very dry but somehow we have
managed to get rain and our grass is holding up. Sat I had 2 truck loads of hay
brought in and put in the barn so that made me feel better. Very little hay got
put up that did not get wet either by rain or heavy dews.
Our friends from Illinois, the Coltas' brought their bull Raider for me to
break. I wasn't sure at first how this would be taking on a 1300 lb, never
haltered bull but he is coming along.
8/22
The calves have sure enjoyed the fans and their rinses.
The temps have moderated and even some very cool mornings. We brought the ET
calves home and everyone got their shots, tattoos, a halter, and this morning
their 1st rinse.
July 2010
7/2
Finally some relief from the heat & humidity but it won't
last long they say. Next week I have to start working at mom's house to pack
everything up and Saturday I have a class reunion. We are all pretty old looking
and in a few years the numbers will start to decline so I had better go.
7/11
HOT HOT HOT Good old July heat. A good friend Jim Morton is down with his
back so we and others went to his place and put his hay and straw in his barn
Tues. I've been working at mom's house as we have the house sold and I have
until the eom to get it done. Good friends and neighbors took a trip to Germany
so we took them to the airport Fri evening.
The class reunion was very good Sat evening and I enjoyed many that are not
living in the area. Morton's could not attend as they left for a cruse to Alaska
so with two of our friends and great vacations we are a little bummed out.
7/18
It's still very hot & humid - hard on man & beast. I'm still working at mom's
house but getting it hauled out. My grandsons have been helping and they've been
great. Got a call from John Small who met Dutch at a picnic and the conversation
got around to bulls and he was interested in coming by. He came on Thurs and
looked at them and bought Grid on the spot. We delivered him and now Grid
has some new girlfriends and we have a new customer and friend. Thanks John.
Tues we have a vet appointment to do foot trims, preg checks and the like.
7/28
In typing this we are limping along and hope this thing doesn't quit. I'll
explain - On the 23rd we went to the airport to pick up our friends trip and on
the way home we got hit by a really bad thunder storm. I never saw so much
wicked lightning! In the light of the lightning I thought I saw a funnel cloud
and sure enough about a mile ahead we drove right through it. Debris, rain, and
wind like I've never seen! When we got home we discovered that all our phones, 1
TV, our security camera system, 1 freezer, 1 barn refrig, all the barn radios,
and part of the power was destroyed. We have turned it in to the insurance but
this will be a long fix and a real headache.
June 2010
6/6
What a busy last few days! We had some heifers come in
heat and took a couple and 1 cow/calf to Morton's yesterday to be bred. Saturday
we got to move mom into a nursing home as she was finally accepted and that will
be a load off of all of us. She deserves better care than we can provide. It is
sad but for the best. Today we AI'd 1 heifer to Carnac and we are hoping this
breeding is about done. We have been "bull poor" with way too many bulls to move
and now with more time I intend to hit the bricks getting them sold.
We had some pretty strong storms go through Sat night but little rain here.
6/13
Can't sleep - too many things going on. Today is Nina's birthday! Got to talk
with a fella from up in the clouds in Colorado about some bulls and could maybe
be a sale - I could use a trip to the mountains! It's been hot & humid again and
some rain today. I have spent some time putting together a email blast to send
to potential buyers about the bulls and some embryos. I sent it out in the early
evening and by 10pm sold all the embryos to John Hall in Texas! Thank you.
6/16
You know just about the time you get back on track
something hits the fan! It has been extremely HOT & HUMID for a good time now
and Monday we got hit with big, bad thunder storms and it dumped on us!! The
lower ground flooded out here at the house and it's a mess. We have cows
standing at hay feeders to their bellies in water. It is starting to go down
today but it's a muddy mess.
With not a lot that we could do we went to Dutch Kennedy's to look over the ET
calves.
The sun came out and no rain but it's muggy. We cut a little patch of hay and
the forecast with no rain. Well 7 days later and 5" of rain we will try to bale
it tomorrow. The heat has taken it's toll on cows staying bred - not just for us
but others around the area. They get about 45 days and come in. This is
frustrating and some of the pastures are just burning up with steam from all the
rain and sun.
May 2010
5/1
Took some bulls to Dutch Kennedy's today and got to meet
and visit with some local cattlemen to show the bulls off and talk cattle. It
was a rainy day but it was interesting and I hope beneficial. We have several
family birthdays this month but will have little time to visit with the kids.
Sorry and Happy Birthday.
5/19
We've had several days of rainy weather and some cool days. We sold Imagican to
McQuern & Crum partnership and I delivered him today. Yesterday I got some
garden planted and Nina helped me move the chute, scales, and working pen to
another area - much more user friendly! More breeding getting done and moved 2
recip cows.
5/30
It's HOT again! We had a nice family get together with
Nina's family for a birthday party for her brother Mark. Mom went to sis's for
the weekend and it was really nice to just relax.
April 2010
4/10
My time is very
limited to visit with you all. My mother is staying with us and being a fulltime
caregiver and keep this operation going leaves me with more important tasks and
little time to spend on this computer. We have been building and repairing
fencing, checking heats & breeding, and did one flush. Nina & I at times take
turns going out to do chores but we are managing.
4/17
Another busy week. My oldest sister had surgery this week
compounding family affairs, we lost one cow due to tetany, and had one calf.
Still working on fencing and moved one group of cows to a out pasture. It was
sunny and very warm for most of the week with temps and rain in the last part.
It has just been plain too hot for this time of year and even got a little dry.
It feels more like August than April.
4/25
It's been hot and last Sun we got frost! Sunny & hot since but rain today and
yesterday. We have reached a decision and are listing mom's house this week.
Some disappointment with our breeding and it seems as though the extreme heat
has caused us issues with keeping the cows bred.
March 2010
3/14
Where do I start? We've been down
with a computer virus that infected the entire systems and have to do Dr. work
on them. In the meantime have put in several new safeguards and went wireless
network. Then my mother who is 90 has taken a toll for the worse, fallen and got
hurt in Florida and my older sister had to go bring her home and now she is not
good therefore we are devoting a lot of time in caring for her until we can get
her managed care. Add to that breeding, flushing and working cattle, the clean
up of lots, ect that comes with spring, fencing repairs, collecting 2 bulls,
cleaning my shop and the barns, and other projects I had put off for far too
long this has not been my main priority.
Our weather has moderated nicely and had several days of sun and high 60's. The
grass is greening up and we have sewed seed in pastures. We have fence to build
at the east place and looking forward to getting that done.
3/20
It's been really nice this
week and we have gotten a lot done - and my old bones can testify to it! We set
up some new outside holding pens and they are going to work well - they already
are. Today I got the barn cleaned - at least in a pile as we couldn't even think
of hauling manure on the soft lots and even washed a few bulls. It left quite a
pile of mud and I can actually tell what color they are!
3/27
We keep changing back and forth from warm and sunny days
to cold and rainy days. We've had our share of rain and the mud is still with us
but the grass is beginning to get with it. We took Bess Thurs to be bred and
flushed and that will probably finish us for that for the year. We have some
really nice prospects in the tank and can't wait to use them.
Been watching some outstanding basketball games and we were sad our Boilermakers
got eliminated last night. Go Butler!!
My son & son in law took me and my grandson Cody to Hooters Mon night to
celebrate Cody's 15th birthday. Quite an eye opening experience for both Cody
and me - especially an old goat like me! They sure didn't build waitresses like
that when I was 15 !!!
February 2010
2/6
I'll be darned as I was just feeling good I got food
poisoning Monday! Trust me it gave a whole new meaning to the "backhouse trots"!
Feeling much better today and hopefully can eat some good stuff and watch the
Super Bowl. It' going to be a doosey and everyone is dressed in Colts gear!
We had a snow storm yesterday with a lot of snow and wind. Much of the state is
shut down with big drifts on the roads and I had to dig out with the tractor so
we could get around. It's sunny today but still blowing and it's going to be a
while for things to get normal and they are calling for more snow. I've had
hydraulic problems with the loader on the tractor and it's not getting better. I
think we have ice somewhere in the system and have tried to work on it as I can
but can't get it into a warm area and my time is limited as I get so cold.
Changed the filters and went through the spooler and lines and at least have
everything working but the curl. It will have to do for now.
2/9
It's snowing again and that just adds to the mourning we
are going through after Sunday's game. It gave a true meaning to "Blue Monday".
I guess if we had to loose I would just as soon loose to Brees as he is a Purdue
boy. In case you haven't figured it out we are big fans of both.
The cattle are doing
good even with this weather but we both await green grass and warmer temps. We
got a call from some folks in Michigan and they want to stop by next weekend to
look at cattle - hope they can get here! Guess if they like them now they will
really like them come spring!
2/12
We finally got some sun but it is still cold. The cattle
have been venturing out to soak up some of the sun so Nina has been taking a few
pictures. Welcome to our winter wonderland.
At least we don't have 4-5
ft drifts to deal with and barns for the cattle to get out of the wind. Our
cattle are spoiled rotten!
Don't Forget !
2/14
Yesterday and this morning are cold with freezing
fog again - pretty but I'll take sun and 70 degrees. We had a first for me as a
heifer apparently stuck her tongue on a metal gate, it froze, and she pulled the
end off! Never a dull day.
Yesterday we had Jeff Winiski, his sons, and Mike stop by to look at cattle
after attending the Farm Show at Louisville. Jeff is looking for a Braunvieh
bull to cross with his Angus cows so we are excited that they came to us.
2/20
It's been a very busy week. We sorted
cattle, gave everyone their annual shots & worming on Tues. Wednesday we dug up
the waterline & hydrant that was leaking. What a mess! At least the sun came out
and the temps improved but the worst part was that neither of us slept well from
the aches & pains. This morning was not a good start as when we went out to feed
we found that Bell had aborted. Apparently she got in a butting match with one
of the other cows and they belly butted her causing the abortion of a 200 day
old heifer. 
We are not going to have
a lot of calves this year as we sold a lot of the older cows and held many for
flushing and spring calving for some and sure hate to loose a heifer.
My tractor is on the fritz with the hydraulics on the loader. I have worked on
it some but we still can't find the problem and may not until warmer weather.
Maybe if I would clean up my shop where I could pull something in that would
help! Some day. Ha
2/27
Another busy week with vet work dehorning,
bull rings, and inspections on a couple heifers then cutting and clearing trees
and brush in the woods. Tromping in the snow, mud, and ice is hard on old folks!
I've been working on and talking with a lot of folks about getting a regional
marketing association started to help producers market their calves. It has real
promise but will take time.
Jan 2010
1/2
I haven't felt much like celebrating lately as I have been
sick since the early part of December. Started out with the flu and then it
turned into some sinus/cough thingy and have felt miserable. Add to that tax
preparations and the weather and it's all that I can do to do the chores. It's
been very cold and we are getting our share of snow.
This will be a rebuilding year for us as we have removed any aged cows, saved
some replacement heifers, and saved out some of the cows for donors which will
make us low on calf numbers. We are going to do several flushes and are moving
in a little different direction with breeding to stay with the market trends
without sacrificing quality with linebreeding and cross breed genetics. Cattle
management is more difficult than most outsiders realize as we have to look 3
years forward with our decisions and with this economy it is even worse. We must
continually work to promote the best interests of our customers to help
ourselves. It's hard on my old brain at times.
1/9
I'm still under the weather but still hanging on. It's been really cold and had
a pretty good snow storm mid week. Monday we set up 3 cows to do a flush on and
got in some semen for breeding. We ran up the Stan Pelling's on Tuesday and
picked up some small square bales of hay for the bulls & heifers and will need
some for the cows that are due to calve. Wednesday was deliver a calf to
be butchered and we started shots on the flush cows yesterday. Sure hope we can
transport them next week to do the flush with all this snow we have been
getting!
AS usual we get geared up every Sunday for the Colts games and it looks like we
might be in the Super Bowl !!! Go Colts
1/13
We are still getting some light snow but Tuesday was sunny and a little warmer
which was good as we had a 1st time Angus heifer calve. I had to haul the flush
cows 60 miles north so Nina had to stay home and keep and eye on her. She had a
nice bull calf out of our Focus bull. Nice calf but was hoping for a heifer as
we had almost all bulls last year. I'm still coughing my head off but got some
antibiotics and they are helping. Now Nina is getting it. With her being home
all the time now and being shut in a lot with the weather I have a tiger by the
tail and she sure gets cabin fever! I have to take her to Rural King every so
often to get her fix and she makes it tough to get my occasional afternoon nap!
1/18
Now we have FOG! It's been foggy for about 3 days and you
can't see a quarter mile. My mom came home for a few days from Florida to
celebrate her 90th birthday with family and friends. That is a feat in it self
as she is blind so it takes lots of help. We had a lunch/part at sister Carol's
Sunday and I spent much of the day with her today. She and Carol are flying back
on Wednesday and Carol is going to stay about a week just relaxing and she
deserves it.
Our Colts played the Ravens Sat night so we had our normal array of snacks and
food with a few adult beverages which were all gone by the time the game started
but we won and now we will beat the crap out of those Jets next weekend!!!
1/25
Well it warmed up and now
it's raining and with the frozen ground it's flooding everywhere - just what we
need! We did beat those Jets and we are going to the Super Bowl!! It's going to
be hard to root against the Saints but we will tough it out.
Calves due any day now and it can't come any too soon as Mary is way too big. We
did our flush Wednesday and it went very well and can't wait to see some of
those babies! (It's a suprise)
1/30
Tough week. It turned off
cold again with some snow. Had the tax appointment with the accountant Wednesday
and got those sent in but it was a lot of red ink and brings a harsh reminder of
how bad the economy has been for us. Then Thurs night Mary started to calve and
things did not go well. It was bigger that I would have liked and misrepresented
and the calf died. The livestock business is not always kind. We did get a nice
heifer calf today out of Bess sired by Turk and she is go
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