Father’s Day

Father’s Day

As a father, having a big fuss over you on Father’s Day seems embarassing. In your mind you do not stack up to the memories of your father and grandfathers.

When your father has died it is not easy to remember. I can recall the day my father died on April 11 a couple of years past. I find it easier to take a John Wayne tough guy approach, recall my father and grandfathers, without reflecting too deeply.

Towards my father’s later years, a day came around where we just naturally would go to Husker Days in Grand Island and spend the day together. Nothing too philosophical was discussed, but a day was spent where we had to be totally in each others company for an entire day. A big accomplishment for men. When 9-11 occurred I was spending the day with my father.

I have never gone to Husker Harvest Days without my father, thus I have not gone since my father has died. I did not ponder this too greatly until recently in a casual conversation it was mentioned by a friend her husband had not gone to Husker Days. If I recall correctly, he went every year like I did.

My friend has similiar circumstances. We are close in age, grew up on farms, went to Husker Harvest Days with our fathers and recently both our fathers had died even though neither had truly retired.

The fact he had not gone to Husker Harvest Days as myself, forced me to reflect, John Wayne or not. A hard thing to do, is deciding whether to upload this post or not. I believe I am not unique, most farm sons probably share similar situations. So I will share this.

 

Here is the last photo I have of my Father Wes and myself at Husker Harvest Days.

It would be remiss of me of not to conclude on a happier thought. The purest, greatest thing to happen to me was becoming a father. Thank you to my wife Jill for accomplishing this.

Alderson Angus Cover Letter

I appreciate the interest you in have in our cattle. Our operation has been working to develop grass and fences, which is a constant challenge, something I’m sure you share. I wish to provide some carcass information. The calves not kept for breeding stock graded 36% Prime in November of 2010. In 2009, all graded choice, Prime was around 20%. In 2008, over 90% graded choice, and Prime was 36%. The industry average for Prime is around 3%.  As you notice, the marbling genetics are firmly present in our herd. Continuing with this strength, I additionally put emphasis on selecting from maternal lines of cattle, with lower birth weights, attempting not to sacrifice the marbling.

My good friend Terry Gompert died of a heart attack recently. We have known each other for 17 years. I was a rookie county agent, fresh out of college when I met him. We were co-workers for many years, and even after I left the University I still continued to meet w/ him, most often at grazing meetings. Terry also traveled with Jill and I on a tour group to Argentina where we visited many farms. We all quite enjoyed ourselves, a very memorable trip. I will miss Terry.

Following is a youtube clip interviewing Terry.

New high cattle prices.

A fellow basketball player shared with me they sold a heavy weigh up cow for $79 cwt. That’s pretty good for a cow just shy of 1900 lbs. I decided it was time to sell a couple of girls that were ready to go. During the sale, the person next to me stated that a few days earlier in Basset, a fat cow brought $89 cwt, a new all time high for that barn. Well, I tried to curb my enthusiasm. I was happy to hear the asking bid at $84. The opening bid started at $80 and closed at $86 cwt. A new all time high for myself. These girls were in a fat n fleshy condition, just like the buyers wanted. I grossed as much as a springing heifer just a year earlier, and more than my fat steers two years prior. I should have sold three cows instead of two.

Hello and Welcome.

Welcome to Aldersonangus.wordpress.com located on WordPress.com. This is the first post. I hope to adapt to this medium of sharing information. The family cattle operation is located outside of Osmond, NE. The herd’s foundation is registered angus cattle. Some cattle possess Simmental Genetics via the bull Black Destiny, and thus are non-registerable in the angus association.

Cattle are marketed on the grid, typically grading between 15-35% Prime, >95% Choice. A top selection of bulls are retained from these calf crops and are provided for sale as yearling and 2 yr old bulls. Age and source verification is now being utilized to further increase the grid premiums we garner when the cattle are slaughtered.