Seems a shame that some of the stuff a producer of fine beef has to deal with can't be fixed and done so that the rest of time it would be easier to handle providing beef for the world. I am talking about rocks in the land, briars, weeds, thistles and rustlers. OK, I haven't any real experience with rustlers, but I know about the other stuff.
My close relative understands the need for making men of my profession more comfortable and even more productive. We are able to work longer hours and get more done when we are well fed, wear good boots and hats and drive tractors with cabs. We also do good all day when we have good trucks and offspring that desire to become followers in their father's footsteps.
I do not require the best of things, but I sure do like them! I'd much rather drive a good truck, ride a good horse and wear a good hat than a second class one. I have never had the kind of cash to afford the best but, by golly, we have the best I can afford. Now, that does not qualify our cattle.
We started out with a couple of sorry heifers that my close relative's family loaned us the money to buy. We had a truck and we were young. Now, all these years later, we are still thankful for those two sorry heifers. And from there we have some mighty fine cattle. We didn't set the world on fire, we just barely stayed warm for several years, but we did build up a mighty good herd of cattle.
This all brings me to where I wanted to be so I could say what I need to say. Sometimes we find cattle sick or dead. We find them swollen and dead from stuffing themselves with acorns, singed and dead from a lightning strike, cow and calf dead from a birthing problem. We can't keep calves from dying of scours even though we doctor and pray, or cattle from eating things that they shouldn't.
We don't have much trouble with scabies or bangs because of the rigid rules we are thankful for and try to obey to the letter. A huge number of diseases can be prevented but not all of them, and some cattle are born looking for a way to die. Just like some folks, a few will try a weed just because they are bored. The dang old weed didn't taste good but maybe the next nibble will be better, so they go ahead and take another bite. Then, not even liking the taste, they eat enough of it to kill themselves.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, it is time for all of us to get out and mow the fields and places where the purple mint has done so well this year. I have never seen it so tall and prolific, now blooming and, not only in dry lots or along the creek, but in pastures. Fire up your rigs and weed whackers and get it under control before it kills some of your herd.
Good luck, and praying wouldn't hurt!
Bill is the pen name of the Gravette area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 10/01/2014