Happy Hump Day

HaPPy HumP Day!

This young bull was our “Shadey”. Don’t worry, he is alive and doing quite well at his new home several counties south of here. His new family will have him as their new F-1 herd sire. We met the buyers while we were showing in Houston and delivered Shadey to them on our way home from the show.

Last week I was down in that area again for some appointments and I couldn’t resist driving by to check on Shadey. In fact I drove by three times!-I’m sorta obsessive that way. But I wanted to see how he was doing and adjusting to his new home. He seemed to be doing great and I felt a little guilty on one drive by when he recognized my pickup and made his way to the fenceline to see if I had a treat for him-note to self:put a baggie of cubes in the door compartment for just such occasions. Anyway, it was like driving by and waving at the kid you just dropped off at daycare an hour earlier-not good for either of you!

Of course I had to snap a pic. He looks happy, huh?

So this HumP Day is in honor of M-J Shades of Christian Gray “Shadey”. May he love his new family as much as we loved him and may he always stand in green grass.

HaPPy HumP Day!

HaPPy HumP Day!

A sea of humps from the International Brahman Show last week in Houston, Texas where over 600 head of the finest Brahman cattle in the world were on display.

Happy HumP Day

 

I am an equipment buyin’ fool as of late. Earlier in the week I was looking for a way to creep feed some calves.  That’s a set up that allows calves to come in to eat a special ration of feed just for them and it keeps cows and heifers out.  Here’s a link to more information about Creep Feeding if you are interested:  Click Here  Usually creep feeding set ups are adjustable so as the calves grow you can adjust the opening for their increased size.  The can come and go and eat as they please.  I found this Calf Pass Panel kit by Priefert while searching on Craig’s List:

It is really meant to attach to a creep feeder like this:I really didn’t need the feeder part since I wanted to feed the claves by hand to have more control of how much and how often they eat.  I just needed a place for them to go when I feed the cows to get their own feed without the cows nudging them out of the way-so the calf pass kit was perfect for my needs and as more calves are born I can move it to be the pass into bigger pens and lots.

I emailed the seller.  She had one on Craig’s List listed as four years old for $300 and stated that she paid $600.  So I assumed it was the kit and the feeder at that price and I if figured I could resell the feeder or maybe save it for when I might could use it.  I emailed her and asked if she would take $200-she said yes.  Then I did some research (should have done that first).  I found the kit online several places brand new for …$139.  Then we went and looked hers and discovered it didn’t have the feeder, just the kit!  But she still wouldn’t come off her $200 price.  So the next day I went over to Mount Pleasant to the Priefert Plant which is about 20 miles from my house and bought a brand new kit-not a second for…$50!!  Score!  I LOVE a bargain!!!  I LOVE Craig’s List for farm stuff, but you have to do your homework and remember that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Then yesterday I found another bargain:  4 heavy feeders, 3 heavy cattle panels and a 4 ft walk gate all for $200.  The mass exodus from the Cattle Business in my area due to the excessive drought has created a surplus of good used equipment being sold at bargain prices.

Today is supposed to be really warm-74; tomorrow in the 80’s!  So the Chickenman and I will be taking advantage of the nice weather to get our new equipment set up.  I’m going to try to stay off Craig’s List today so I don’t find something else I “need”!

Happy HumP Day!

Goin’ Showin’

It is Major Show Season here in Texas.  While we here at MJ Brahmans are taking a year off from the showring due to the drought, we’ll still show up to support our  Brahman friends at some of the shows.

First up is Fort Worth-our personal favorite.  Fort Worth is not only a great city, it’s where the West begins. The Stock Show starts next Friday, January 13 and runs through February 4th.

The barns at Ft Worth are "old school" they can be mighty cold at times.

Angelo’s is one of our favorite places to eat in Fort Worth when we are there for the Stock Show.  The Bar-B-Q is out of this world and the beers are icy cold.  We also never make a trip to Fort Worth without having breakfast one morning at Esperanza’s Mexican Cafe and Bakery.  The Migas are the best you will ever eat and be sure to get a side of their awesome guacamole.

Believe it or not...this is a half order of Migas!

The Brahmans arrive in the barn on January 13th and the show is on the 17th. That’s 5 full days of Brahmans in the barn and I can tell you they are a Stock Show Fan Favorite.  But the best part of the Stock Show for us is just hanging out in our display and sharing our love for Brahmans with the folks passing by.  The Chickenman eats it up!