It’s been a while…..
During the past couple of weeks, I’ve received a couple of friendly reminders that I haven’t been keeping my blog at the Maplecrest Farms web site up-to-date. In fact, a heck of a lot has happened since the last time I posted a blog. A few of the high points that have occurred since I last wrote to you include hosting another production sale, hip replacement surgery, a job change, and watching the girls have their most successful show season ever.
On a personal note, I did have right hip replacement surgery on October 5. Therapy went very well and things are slowly approaching the “back to normal” stage. Winter has been a bit challenging thus far in light of my healthy respect for slick conditions from ice and snow.
I also started a new position with Ohio State University Extension at the first of the year. After nearly 25 years serving as an Extension Educator (Agent) in Brown, Adams, and most recently Highland Counties, I took the position of OSU Extension Beef Coordinator. This position is jointly funded by OSU Extension, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and the Ohio Beef Council. I have to admit that I am excited to have the opportunity to work in a position that allows me to focus on my primary area of interest and specialization.
Now for the girls and their show heifers. To say that they have had a great 2010-11 show season would be a bit of an understatement! I don’t want to bore you with too many details but here are the highlights: Atlantic National Jr. Show Grand Champion Female, Ohio Angus Preview Jr. and Open Show Grand Champion Female, All-American Futurity Jr. Show Reserve Grand Champion Female, Ohio State Fair Grand Champion Bull and Female, North American Jr. Show Grand Champion Female, and National Western Jr. Show Grand Champion Female. Check out the videos at http://www.angus.org/pub/Videos.aspx?id=162&desc=National%20Western%202011:%20Angus%20Junior%20Show (Denver) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnswUCCVwvs&feature=related (Louisville). I know that Lindsey and Lauren were excited and we were humbled given the level of competition within the Angus breed.
None of this would have been possible without the help of some talented cattlemen and special friends. First, I want to thank Austin Trueblood for everything he does for this operation. Besides being a great friend to the girls, he does excellent work with our show cattle and the rest of the herd. In case some of you hadn’t noticed, he is a pretty good “stick man” as he was received 2nd place in the National Jr. Showmanship Contest this past summer in Denver.
Special thanks are in order for two operations that are pretty special to us. Bruce and Amy Stertzbach of Stertzbach Cattle Company have been friends of ours for a long time and have sold us some of their best heifers over the past three years. Lydell and Holly Meier of Gamble Angus have sold us highly competitive females as well. Both operations are very successful in the show ring and we are fortunate to work with them. Both of them have great crews that always have their cattle looking their best. Special congrats to Chris Johnson of Gamble Angus for being named Herdsman of the Year at the recent National Western Stock Show.
As far as a herd update, we are in the midst of the early rush of the “spring” calving season. The majority of the “spring” calves born here at the farm will be sired by New Day 454, G A R Progress, Mandate, Daybreak, Ironstone, 5050, and Total. Simmental sires represented include Trademark, Grandmaster, Dreamcatcher, and Explorer. The first flushes of 2011 will take place in mid-February with matings currently under consideration.
I will strive to be a bit timelier with my next post. I know, easier said than done!
