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Just a scoop full

(Aug. 22)--There were some areas south and east of Woodward, about 100 miles, that received huge rains. I heard reports from several that said from 8 to 11 inches came within a five-hour period with tremendous winds. It came from that tropical storm. Normally it doesn't build steam like it did, particularly that far inland. But it seems the weather has been far from normal these past few years. Several major highways were under water for a few hours.
The 12 state on feed report for July 2007 came out. It showed placements at 83 percent. The total on feed was 95 percent with marketings at 103 percent. That looks very encouraging. However, the marketing numbers would actually include one more day this year than last year for the month of July. You are probably saying to yourself, "Is that idiot Nine trying to tell us there were 32 days in July this year?" No, it simply means there were less weekends this year in July which left more kill days.

Most cattlemen seem to think that cattle will get higher in the 3rd and 4th quarter of this year. I tend to think the same. And I certainly hope it gets higher because we do not need a blood bath in the cattle business. Expenses are very high and it is nice to see ranchers able to sell feeder cattle to where a lot of bigger cattle will bring $1,000 per head. That definitely helps. Sometimes where most everyone thinks the same as far as the market getting higher, we sometimes never get to that great market as the incentive to sell early is not there. However I see several ranchers taking advantage of these higher prices and selling some feeders earlier than planned. If you can put a good profit in your pocket regardless if the market gets higher--you will do well.

I had a neighbor call and tell me I had a cow out of the pasture standing in the road. I try to return the favor to others and tell them if I see a problem of theirs. Let's all try to be better neighbors and friends.

My biggest pet peeve is someone who will not speak when you walk by them. It doesn't take much effort to say "Hello" or "How are you doing?" Life is short. Make the best of it.

Editor's note: Jerry Nine, Woodward, Okla., is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family's ranch near Laverne, Okla.

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