I got these from Alan Nations Blog.

Grasslands Absorb Methane Monday, 26 April 2010 Research by Sydney University in Australia has found that healthy soil bacteria in well managed grasslands absorb more methane per day than a cow produces in a year. Professor Mark Adams, agricultural sustainability researcher and Dean of Agriculture at Sydney University told Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the findings are “a good news story and the farming community needs good news stories.” Adams said, “…we can say that grazing is a methane neutral or even methane positive land use.” He said in organically rich, well drained, well structured soils there were lots of bacteria willing to do this methane absorption work. This Australian research was reported in In Practice newslet

Three Labels Proposed For Organic Beef Monday, 26 April 2010 A survey by Cornucopia Institute of organic beef producers found that 80% of organic producers do not confine their cattle to feedlots. Of these, 60 percent feed no grain at all and 20% feed some supplemental grain on pasture. The remainder use the standard industrial model of confinement feeding. Cornucopia said that many organic consumers would be surprised to learn that not all organic beef is grassfed and has proposed that the new USDA Organic label make the production practices of the producer clear to the consumer. Therefore, Cornucopia proposed three labels for USDA organic beef. They are: “Organic- Grain Finished,” “Organic- Pasture /Grain Finished,” and ” Organic – 100% Grassfed.” “We think the three-tier labeling system will help farmers and ranchers better develop their markets and consumers will gain transparency and choice in their consumption of organic meat,” said Mark Kastel of Cornucopia.

Grassfeeding Reduces Global Warming Monday, 26 April 2010 Klause Betterbach-Bahl of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany recently carried out a study on nitrous oxide production from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Nitrous oxide is the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. The researcher said he was surprised to find that nitrous oxide production was considerably lower from grazed grasslands than from ungrazed grasslands. “It’s been generally assumed that if you increase livestock numbers you get a rise in emissions of nitrous oxide. This is not the case, ” he said in Nature Magazine. He said that while grainfed animals generally are bad for the environment grassfed animals actually benefit it and consumers should make the distinction.

UPDATE IN COMMENTS

This is a picture of my Grandma Bauer when she was a young lady and her family. Quite a few left Illinois and came out here. She is on the far left side in the light. I thought Connie, who has a blog on old pictures might enjoy this.

As I understand it, Great Grampa Bauer gave each of his sons, 80 acres of land on their 18th birthday. Dad always thought it was strange that so many would sell 80 acres of good farm land to move out here to the semi desert! He loved to go back to Illinois and look at the crops they could raise.

How would you ladies like to cook for that crew everyday, with a wood stove? This would have been taken somewhere close to the turn of the century.

Grandma and her younger sister Eve, came out here not long after this and homesteaded next to a brother.

There is a set of twin boys in this picture. Can you spot them?

I ran some food up to a neighbors who live about 45 miles north of us. The wife was walking in the yard the other day and just suddenly died.  Anyerism they say. 48 years old and leaves a husband and son and young daughter. A very Christian family and they are handling it as best as can be suspected, but it was sure a shock to all. His father had died just the evening before from complications of cancer, which while still troubling, was at least to be expected, as he was in his 90’s.

Afterwards I drove north of them and visited my cousin’s family. The grandfather is older than me and the son and daughter in law  have 5 kids. What a lively bunch. As I was leaving, the oldest son had a young filly hooked up to an old harrow cart and was driving her around the yard. The young filly was very at ease and wasn’t bothered by it at all. I told him I had lots of horses who would fit all them kids, but they seem to thinmk they have enough! Imagine that! I always enjoy visiting with this bunch. The children are all home schooled and sharp as tacks!

So it was a wistful, but yet again, joyful evening. I need to get up there more often.

Here’s some pictures of Brad, the young guy who starts and trains horses in this area. He does a whale of a job, is just too busy, hard to get any colt to him as he is usually full up.

Bullshit!

Everyday is earthday to those who really care for the earth. The farmers and ranchers and loggers and fishermen and miners. If you are not making a living from the earth and protecting and taking care of what earns you a living, you probably have no real concept of what it’s like to do so.

Go blow it out your ass ecofreaks who really don’t care, but just want money and to see mankind off of this planet. Oh, all but you and your stinky friends. You are all liars, commies and idiots as far as I am concerned.

Or perhaps better put, rancher farming as to me the word cowboy describes what you do more than who you are. And I am a rancher. But I can cowboy. What ever! This was fun but I’d sure hate to do the work them ol’ timers used to do like this when they farmed. But then, they didn’t know any other way.

Decided to work the garden today. Then decided to work the gravel ridge the county man left on the edge of the road. Sure was good for the little team.

But between making miles with the horsing mare, hanging a spade bit in Pilgrim for the first time and then riding him several quick miles and this, I seem to be tired. Wonder what causes that stuff anyway? LOL

I just got this in an email and thought I should share it.

Takes a few minutes to read, but worth your time.

What are the rules?

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated
behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of
the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what
ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young
man exclaim, “Isn’t Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is
healing the sick.” The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, “Yeah, and
he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market
would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don’t
deserve all of that money.” Another said, ‘The stupid Republicans want us
all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be
made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate.” At this, I had
had enough.
I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and
approached their table. “Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one
moment?” They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end
of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.
“I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I
will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone
interested?” They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why would you do
something like that?” asked a young man, “There isn’t anything for free in
this world.” They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had
just made my point. “I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no
money what so ever. Anyone interested?” In unison, a resounding “Hell Yeah”
fills the room.
“Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who
receives this money free bargain.” I noticed an elderly couple was paying
attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking
his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what; I will give it to the one of
you most willing to obey my rules.” Again, they looked at one another, an
expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,
“What are the rules?” I smiled and said, “I don’t know. I have not yet
defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you.” They giggled
amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, “What an old coot. He must
be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man.” I smiled and
leaned into the table a bit further. “I am serious, this is a legitimate
offer.” They gaped at me for a moment.
“Hell, I’ll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?” boasted the youngest
among them. “Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?” I asked. The
elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the
privacy of their table. “Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?” I took a napkin
and wrote, “I give this man my home, without the burden of financial
obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set
forth upon consummation of this transaction.” I signed it and handed it to
the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. “Where are the keys
to my new house?” he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us
as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling
them before the excited new homeowner.
“Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of
your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere
from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day.
You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without
question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this
gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with
enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as
mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These
are my terms. Here are your keys.” I reached the keys forward and the young
man looked at me dumb founded.
“Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous
terms?” the young man appeared irritated. “You did when you signed this
contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge
that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the
agreement.” Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to
restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of
people. “You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old man, I want no
part of it” exclaimed the now infuriated young man. “You have committed to
the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the
deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have
you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and
without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master.”
At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against
the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true
intent. “What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to
you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then
revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you
can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you
did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your
failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape
you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only
chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is
given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom.” With that, I
tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. “This is
the nature of your new health care legislation.”
I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was
surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained,
shook my hand enthusiastically and said, “Thank you Sir, these kids don’t
understand Liberty these days.” He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he
said, “You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab.” I shook his
hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a
glimmer of hope for my beloved country.

Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get to Godly conduct
Clifford A. Wright

Here are some of late.

Has sprung.

Been working with horses, leather and grandkids.

Got some sour feedback from a young lady who didn’t approve of Chance and I’s way of handling the filly in the video. I am sure we could have done things different, but in the end, I think this was the best way to handle what we set out to accomplish. Those who have a different point of view are welcome to it. Just don’t waste my time telling me and offering your wisdom until it’s been asked for, please. Especially on a public forum, tho’ that is really more courageous  than those who wait and snipe when they see you in person, in a crowd situation. Then my raising won’t allow me to call you an ass when you act like one. If you have a problem with me or what I do, lets discuss it in private, if it’s really any of your concern to begin with.

I am sick of people who think they need to express their opinions of and too me, because of what I post on here, so I may slack off a bit. I seem to have plenty of other thing to do to occupy my time now anyway. Tho’ how I spend my time is really of no concern to anyone but me anyway, as I see it. We’ll see how it goes. If I could type and not make misspellings as fast as I can talk, I would inundate them with smart ass replies, but  then, I was taught to be nice to people.

Especially your elders, even if they are not your betters!

Now, off to a funeral. I hate when the young die before their time. No one should ever have to bury a child. No matter if they are 3 or 30.