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Just a scoop full(May 7)--We get to thinking that we are very dry and that we definitely need some moisture in far northwest Oklahoma. But, after talking to several ranchers in the western part of the Oklahoma Panhandle, I realize they are in a lot worse shape than we are. I am told that their grass looks like the dead of winter; whereas, we have some green. The feeder cattle market has gotten better every week for the past month increasing from $10 to $12 per hundredweight. We definitely have fewer feeder cattle available; however, it surprises me to increase the price that much without ever making the first dollar on cattle out of the feedlot. You hear more talk each week from politicians about maybe ethanol not being as good of an idea as once thought, particularly ethanol made from corn. I would personally like to see more ethanol produced from garbage or animal fat. It seems most ranchers who are buying cows all want a bred cow or pair that is 6 years old and younger. I realize that it is easy to buy middle-aged cows and soon wake up and have all old cows. Luckily, killing cows and bulls are still bringing a good price. If grain and cake stay high for quite some time--I look for cattlemen to cull heavy rather than try to winter a lot of cows and buy high feed for them. Most of the cows in our area seem to be a little thinner than most other years. They are not really weak but they definitely look a little rough. If you have outguessed the cattle and grain markets this year--you are either a genius or have a direct line to God. Editor's Note: Jerry Nine, Woodward, Okla., is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family's ranch near Laverne, Okla. 5/19/08 Date: 5/14/08
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