My mom gave me this Thanksgiving decoration several years ago. I laughed when I saw it and it still makes me smile. As beef producers, we sure want to promote the industry in any way we can. We believe in it and value the longevity of agriculture.

Yet, we also like poultry. And pork. And even fish–although not on Thanksgiving.

I imagine the first Thanksgiving dinner included fresh caught fish, but our table will be filled with turkey and ham, veggies, sides, and dessert. We have the joy of gathering with friends tomorrow, so our table will be full.

We are thankful for so many things this year: improving health, joy, family, friends, food, etc. I’m thankful for my neighbors, the mountains, the grass. I appreciate what others do for me and I love how my life story connects to others. And while yes, I’m thankful for our beef, I’m also thankful for variety. Beef is incredible, but it tastes best when varied. I don’t just mean  variety in how beef is cooked; I mean variety in what we eat. Other meats are fantastic too.

Perhaps this year, in light of changing circumstances, I am thankful for variety. I’m grateful we don’t all have the same ideas or opinions. How boring that would be! Rather the beauty, the full flavor, and the greatest peak come from appreciating other things: be it other foods, other people, or other ideas. Our beef tastes amazing because we are always listening, always learning, and striving for quality of life and production. Likewise, if I only associated with those who were like me, it wouldn’t grow me or stretch me to new places and better thinking.

Happy trails and Happy Thanksgiving!

We are trying something different this year.

Usually weaning time comes around and we separate the mommas and the calves. We listen to them ball for each other. It always makes me so sad. I know, I’m a sap. Billy (my hubby) reminds me it’d be much worse if they were never separated. Both animals would suffer like an adult child that never leaves home.

About ten days ago, we brought the cattle in and put these nose clips in the calves. This way the calves stay with their mothers, but are unable to nurse any longer. Studies show reduced stress in weaning. Then you separate them after they are no longer nursing. We thought we’d try it and see if it affected their weaning weight and/or rate of gain.

They certainly didn’t appear to be distraught with the clips. We didn’t notice any changes in behavior. The mother cows were glad to see their calves–there hasn’t been the stress on the mothers either.

Tomorrow we take the clips out and we’ll see how it worked. Nothings like trying new things!