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Just a scoop full(Jan. 9)--Grains keep making a rally in price. With the boost of ethanol plants and the government supporting that idea, farmers are probably smiling, while cattlemen are wondering how to hold their money together. Unless you were a rancher that sold your feeders in the fall or unless you simply took a vacation and did nothing--then it is unlikely you are smiling. It could be worse; however, most of us that feed cattle in the feedlot appear to have the flu. It reminds me of the story where the cattleman goes to talk to his banker and his banker reminds him how bad the market is. However, the rancher tells the banker it could be worse. The banker says, "How could it?" Then the rancher says, "It could have been my money." We've still got a lot to smile about. We've been through these situations before and unless we die soon--we will see it again. That doesn't mean we have to like it. Hopefully the grass cattle buyers will step up to the plate to buy these light cattle. I suppose some will go to small wheat for a while and then to grass. Either way there will not be very much wheat pastured out. I do not begrudge the farmer for finally getting grains to a higher level. If you would average one good year with 20 or 30 bad, it would still not be good for the farmer. The problem is--expenses are so high that it makes it challenging, no matter what angle you are trying. I still think it is important not to get too excited when things are great and not too depressed when the market gets cheaper. Often a person will get depressed and miss the next good opportunity. Editor's Note: Jerry Nine, Woodward, Okla., is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family's ranch near Laverne, Okla. 1/21/08 Date: 1/16/08
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