News
2013 Archive
Operation YUM!
So one of the tasks we have taken upon ourselves as Summer Scholars is to try out the local fare. One weekend we made the short trip north from Ardmore, Okla., to small town named Davis for barbeque at Smokin' Joe's Rib Ranch.
On the road again
Each day here my enthusiasm seems refreshed with the rising sun. Our small team spends the morning assisting Judy and Lorenda with some knickknack chores around Gulu guest house.
From ashes and blood
If you haven't read about Joseph Kony, let me give you the Cliffs Notes version. Kony leads the Lord's Resistance Army. (That's present tense. In other words, he's still alive and free. After you read the next few sentences, you're going to be sick that, as a species, we have not rounded up this whack-a-doo and put him in a dark hole somewhere.)
Finding a Place in Ag
Growing up, agriculture was symbolized by cattle, the hard work of my grandparents and the wide open spaces of northwestern Colorado. Today, as a Lloyd Noble Scholar in Agriculture, agriculture is being presented on a much larger scope and with a deeper significance that is no longer limited to just cattle.
From Prairie to Strawberry
A majority of our time at the Noble Foundation the past few weeks has been consumed by the scholars' annual grazing project, consisting of prairie species identification and what seemed like endless moving of cattle. Through this process, we became relatively knowledgeable about these native grasslands and all that the prairie encompasses, which up to this point I had only read about in books.
Electric cattle guard saves time
Tired of opening and closing gates multiple times a day? The electric cattle guard lets us easily manage our herd without fear of them crossing it and wandering into unwanted areas.
Drought remains a problem for much of Oklahoma
Drought is a normal occurrence. We all realize this, but a large portion of the Southwest has endured a devastating dry spell for almost three years.
Wise management practices improve soil quality
Surface soil produces our food and is vital for life. This precious resource is often called "skin of the Earth" and, just like skin, it is important to protect and maintain its quality.
Producer's perspective: Is it time to restock?
Spring rains have resulted in green pastures for many and the question on everyone's mind - is it time to restock? This decision is difficult and unique to each operation. Cattlemen from Oklahoma and Texas share their thoughts on this topic.
Supply and demand influence corn prices
In a free market economy, price is ultimately determined by the supply and demand for a product or commodity. Short-term price gyrations often occur and can be influenced by market reactions to news concerning such things as weather, government reports and/or policy.