WELCOME

Welcome to the 2020 fall issue of Protein Producers. It has been quite some time since I have been asked to write this welcome. I think it may be because I am the humorous one of the PAC group and at times the most unpredictable with what I might say. With that said, I think it is appropriate to begin this issue with a joke. This is a blonde joke, and I am blonde myself, so please don’t take offense!

A blonde and a redhead have a ranch. They have just lost their bull. The women need to buy another, but they only have $500. The redhead tells the blonde, “I will go to the market and see if I can find one for under that amount. If I can, I will send you a telegram.” She goes to the market and finds one for $499. Having only one dollar left, she goes to the telegraph office and finds out that it costs $1 per word. She is stumped on how to tell the blonde to bring the truck and trailer. Finally, she tells the telegraph operator to send the word “comfortable”. Skeptical, the operator asks, “How will she know to come with the trailer from just that word?” The redhead replies, “She is a blonde, so she reads slow: ‘Come for ta bull.’”

I hope this brought a smile to your face during this time of elevated sensitivity. I always find that laughter and jokes brighten the day.

And now, on with the introduction. In this issue, we have a great lineup of topics and authors. I hope you find information that can elevate your understanding or help in your decision making.

Leadership is an area that I think we can all learn and continue improving in. In this issue, Dr. Nels Lindberg tackles the dreaded difficult conversations that we have all faced, outlining methods to make these difficult conversations successful. As a parent, I can honestly say I have had those conversations with my children and not all of mine have been successful, so I look forward to learning more on this topic.

Ted Howard will share some pointers on horsemanship. I now am the proud owner of a beautiful 18-year-old mare that Patsy Houghton gave to me to ride and help retire. This has allowed me to spend more time with Ted in the pasture or the pen. Every time I am with Ted, I learn something new or am able to refine my technique to be a better rider and stockman. No matter what your experience level is, the true professional is a forever student of their trade, and it is important to come to the table daily with the mindset to learn. Ted provides us the opportunity to do just that.

Chad Engle from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska, will discuss early weaning nutrition and pasture management. You may have noticed or heard, in some parts of Nebraska, we have been drier this year than the last two years. I am not saying we are in a drought, but I am saying that our grass is an early discussion topic this summer. Many are exploring ways to wean the calf off early in an effort to continue utilizing pastures without over grazing or harming range health. In this article, Chad will discuss the experiences of the MARC and some of the strategies they are implementing to help sustain their pastures.

There will be several other interesting and valuable articles in this issue. If there are topics you would like to see covered in this magazine, I would encourage you to call or email your PAC veterinarian or the editors of this magazine and share your ideas.

In closing, I want to thank all of you that are involved in the business of agriculture for your courage, thoughts, and efforts in doing so much with so few people to nourish our communities, families, and friends locally and globally. The seriousness of this business can drive a person crazy, so I find it uplifting to surround myself with positive people and friends. People that enjoying telling jokes and laughing without taking offense. People that can lean on history, find its value and learn from it. If it was good, let us build on it; if it was bad, let us not condemn it, but let us work hard to not repeat it.

Since I have many jokes (although some have been deemed inappropriate), I will close with one more: Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “And what starting salary are you looking for?” The engineer replies, “In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The interviewer inquires, “Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks’ vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years, say, a red Corvette?” The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?” The interviewer replies, “Yeah, but you started it.”

God Bless, stay positive, lead with courage and faith, and keep laughing!

Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz