Great Plains living Summer 2022

Making More Than Just Hay: Last summer Sunrise Ranch in Roff, OK was the location of a major Kubota photo shoot. The Clark family hosted various Kubota employees and other agency personnel during this intense media event that focused on Kubota's large agricultural tractors, and hay tools. The entire event took the coordination of our dealerships, Kubota USA, and other outside vendors. This combined with a lot of hard work enabled the shoot to go smoothly. For the last few years Kubota has focused a majority of their attention and dedication to manufacturing large agricultural equipment. Thus came the need for high-quality imagery and video content involving Kubota's larger M-Series tractors, Hay Tools, and performance matched Land Pride attachments. The result of everyone's hard work was photography images like these three tractors working a hay field. For years, Great Plains Kubota and other Kubota dealers have requested imagery that represents and reflects the landscapes of their local markets. Now, dealerships like Great Plains Kubota will have access to a variety of recourses that depict the land and ranches we actually serve. If you look closely at some of this new Kubota artwork, you might recognize some of the operators.

Photo Submitted By: Kubota USA

Memorial Day Meanings

I've never served in the military. So Memorial Day, although a day of remembrance and celebration, has always been just that, and the true meaning has always escaped me. However, researching the meaning and history of Memorial Day has given me a new perspective, and if you read anything on this page or you're a skim reader, please skip my words and read "In Flanders Fields" which is overlaid on the poets picture below.

Memorial Day as we know it takes place on the last Monday of May and is a day dedicated to honoring the men and women who died while serving in our military. This, along with family gatherings, cookouts and the unofficial start of summer, are now strongly tied to this federal holiday. It was originally known as Decoration Day, and it's origins start at the end of our Civil War. The Civil War lasted from 1861 to the spring of 1865 and it's outcome would determine what sort of nation the US would be. It wasn't until the late 1860s that Americans began holding tributes and memorials. During the last part of spring we began decorating graves with flowers. But, like most history it's a little hard to say exactly how and when this holiday began. General John Logan of the North called for a day of remembrance on the 30th of May.

He was quoted saying, "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land."

It was in 1966 that the federal government declared Waterloo, New York the official birthplace of Memorial day. Oddly enough the federal government didn't decide to take a paid day off until 1971 though. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 which made Memorial Day the last Monday in May in order to create a three day weekend for federal employees. Again, this didn't take effect until 1971.

So why the 30th of May, later to become the last Monday of May? This day was chosen because it wasn't the anniversary of any particular battle. General Logan's Decoration Day was chosen to be held during a time when there wasn't fighting. To those that serve our military a time without fighting must be a holiday in and of itself.

What does Memorial Day mean to you? How will you spend it? Will you go to "decorate", or attend a parade, or will you simply wear red poppies to remember those that have fallen? This year I know the true meaning of sacrifice and service will be at the forefront of all that I do on the last Monday of May.

Reed Boettcher - Editor

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. "In Flanders Fields", by John McCrae

of the Fallen: The picture of Lieutenant-Colonel John

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Ypres. This battle took place in Belgium and saw, for one of the first times, the use of chemical warfare. Many allied servicemen fell victim to Chlorine Gas during this battle. After the battle had ended a large amount of red poppies sprung into the battlefield prompting one of the first works of art to come from this war along with a tradition of wearing a red poppy that is still held during Memorial Day. The poem "In Flanders Fields", was in memory of his good friend and the others that perished on that poppy field in Ypres. McCrae died of pneumonia near the end of the war.

By: Public Domain

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- SERVING OTHERS BY DOING THE SMALL THINGS -

By Steve Swigert

In addition to selling equipment and parts, and repairing that equipment, Great Plains Kubota wants to make a difference in the lives of the customers and the employees. That difference is more than the business itself, it’s how we live our lives. When our lives are better, we can in turn make a difference in the lives of others.

The goal at Great Plains Kubota is to strive to be better people, better spouses, better friends, better parents, better family members and better co-workers. We will never be perfect, but we can all be better and we can grow as individuals. No matter where we are in our lives, young or old, we can still learn and grow. Great Plains Kubota is striving to be the brand that serves. What does that mean? When we serve others we look outside ourselves, beyond our own problems and seek to bring value to others. You do it primarily for the benefit and goodwill of another person or group of people. This could be anyone; it could the Great Plains customer or it could be Great Plains employees, vendors, or your neighbors or people you help along the road because they have run out of gas. So to help us build on this process, we want to focus on the small things. These areas are some of the ways to serve and more importantly, challenge ourselves to focus on what it does mean to serve.

Smile--This is a great habit to start each day with and to practice whenever you have the chance.  The great thing is that smiling at others is easy and takes nothing but a little effort.  Nearly everyone responds to a smile and it makes you and the other person feel better immediately.

Compliment someone--Serving others has to be about them.  Compliments are a great way for you to focus something positive on them and brighten their day.  Find something you can be genuine about and give them the compliment with a smile and positive approach.

Listen intently in conversation--Conversations and communication can be difficult at times and in order to make it work and to serve others in communication is to truly listen and to listen intently.  Others will feel value that you took the time to listen and they were actually paid full attention and that you cared enough to hear them out.

Be genuine with your apologies--Put some sincerity into your apologies and be genuine when you do make a mistake.  Own up to it and make the appropriate apology in person and in a serious tone.

Encourage people--We have endless opportunities to encourage people to do what they love, to follow their dreams, and achieve their goals.  Encourage positive behavior and fun actions through your day. You will enjoy it more and you will help others recognize those same things and hopefully, keep more of those actions coming as a result in the future.

Stay calm and don’t react in arguments--Arguments are a sure way to cause problems and staying calm may not be the easier thing to do (especially if you are under attack), but it is the best way to serve others both in the argument and seeing it indirectly.  If you can stay calm and not make the situation any worse, then you do everyone a service including yourself from not reacting negatively.

Avoid and guard against gossip--Gossip can be disastrous to friendships, careers and other people’s lives.  Learning to avoid gossip and guard against it both for yourself and for others is a valuable service to engage in.

Use the words “Thank you.”--Why is “Thank you!” So hard to say?  Compliments can be hard to come by sometimes and I believe it’s because we are so good at wrecking a good compliment with a poor response.

Sometimes we argue back and say things like, “No I didn’t” or “Nah, you’re just saying that”.  People have been taught that is how to be humble but they are sadly mistaken.  Responding in this way sends the message that they are wrong and so the compliment is rejected.  It’s a terrible thing to do and unconsciously stops people from sharing compliments.  There is one good response for a compliment: two simple words, “Thank You”.

There are many ways to serve and these are just a few small things to try out. Serving is a life style that can be learned through practice and it is something that we can all do. And maybe in the process you can change someone else’s outlook on life.

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- Matthew 20:28

A NEW MEANING TO SERVICE

By Maddie Rehl

Mack McPherson brings a new meaning to service. His is a story we are honored to share, and a family we are honored to serve at Great Plains Kubota.

Texas native, Mack McPherson joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 2001, not long before the tragedy that shattered our world on 9/11. Mack was a member of the infamous 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment (2/4), a hard-core unit referred to as “The Magnificent Bastards,” a proud and long-held nickname unique to these Marines. In the history of the Marine Corps, there hasn’t been a war that the 2/4 hasn’t been directly involved in. Mack commented on being a Marine in this regiment.

“It’s an honor and privilege to uphold the tradition and bravery that applies to this group of Marines who are “Second to None,” said Mack.

In the early spring of 2004, Mack and the Magnificent Bastards were deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However they were not expecting to face the major combat that was soon to transpire. The Battle of Ramadi is said to be one of the worst battles of the war.

On March 13, 2004, after one month of operating in Iraq, Mack was riding in a Humvee down a city street when his vehicle was struck by an IED or “roadside bomb,” leaving him severely injured. Mack was the first Marine injured in the Battle of Ramadi. One minute he’s fighting in Iraq, the next, he’s waking up from a ten day coma with his father standing by his bedside at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Mack was awarded a Purple Heart medal by the Commandant of the Marine Corps while in Maryland, in honor and acknowledgement of his brave and courageous sacrifice. Looking back, Mack says he would do it all over again and not change a thing, a testament to his valor. He went on to talk about how you never know what could have been different. Things happen for a reason, or a purpose. The proof is that Mack is standing here today, 18 years after that battle, sharing his story with us.

Mack shares a special bond with his fellow group of 2/4 Marines. His group that fought together in

Ready To Serve: Mack poses by his Kubota RTV1140 which serves his needs for both work and play. Mack is an avid hunter and he'll put his Kubota side by side to work next fall. In the meantime his utility vehicle stays busy filling feeders and carting his grand kids around their place.

Photo Submitted By: Reed Boettcher

Ramadi have an annual reunion every Memorial Day to honor their Gold Star Families. Gold Star Families are families that lost a member in the war. This group has maintained their brotherhood, by constantly staying in touch and checking in with one another. More days than not, the McPhersons have someone at their home, or they are visiting a fellow 2/4 Marine.

Mack served with some friends from Oklahoma, so he moved here six years ago and met his wife, Heather. They are enjoying the retired life on their property, and love hunting, fishing, and spending time with their grandkids. I had the honor of speaking with Mack and Heather, learning about their story and their lives today. They originally came across Great Plains Kubota in search for a more efficient zero-turn mower that could handle their five acre yard. Heather enjoys taking on the job of mowing which used to take five hours, but now with their new Kubota zeroturn she gets the mowing done in an hour and a half. What stood out to them about Great Plains Kubota was the availability, local service options, and financ-

ing options. With the help of their Ada salesman Shawn Reeves, Mack and Heather also purchased their Kubota RTV utility vehicle, which was a dream purchase for Mack. One of the best things about their new RTV1140 is it has enough room to fit all their grandkids. They primarily use their RTV for work on their land, hauling and cleaning up 30 acres of brush, but more excitingly, Mack plans to use it for hunting. They mainly hunt deer on their land, and Mack uses the RTV now to bring grain out to his deer plots and feeders.

We are proud to be doing business with Mack and Heather McPherson, and we anticipate a continued relationship with them in the future. Our mission at Great Plains is to provide quality equipment solutions while conducting business in a manner that honors and respects God, our employees, our customers, our suppliers, and the communities we serve. We are grateful to serve the McPhersons, a small part to play in respect for the invaluable service Mack has paid for us.

Mowers & More: The photo in the upper left shows the McPherson's GP Salesman, Shawn Reeves delivering their new equipment. Below that one can see there is plenty of room in the RTV for all the grand kids. Finally, Heather poses with her new Kubota zero turn which cuts her mowing time way down.

Photo Submitted By: Reed Boettcher & Others Submitted

USE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON IMPROVED PASTURES

By Steve Swigert

Growing forage requires several minerals and nutrients for growth and production. The three primary nutrients required for plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient necessary for photosynthesis, enzymatic reactions, and creating amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Increasing nitrogen in the soil has been proven to greatly increase pasture production.

Nitrogen can be increased in pastures by incorporating nitrogen-fixing legumes (i.e. clover) into grass stands or by applying nitrogen fertilizer. If applying a chemical form of N, it is important to be aware of the various forms and the benefits and possible disadvantages of each.

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Steve Swigert -

“Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied when pastures will have the best opportunity to have a yield response.”

Urea (46-0-0) is often the most commercially available form in this area and is commonly used by forage producers. It is generally safe to handle, easy to store, and the higher analysis of N may reduce product cost and transport costs in comparison to some other forms of N fertilizer. If not placed in direct contact with the soil, volatilization losses can be significant. Volatilization is more severe when urea is spread on mild to heavy residues or on moist soil surfaces. Also, losses are greater when applied at temperatures greater than 50⁰F or on soils with a pH greater than 6.5. Incorporate urea into the soil for best use or apply when rain is expected shortly after application.

Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0) is a non-urea form with little potential for volatilization. This form may be expensive and difficult to obtain in some areas due to regulatory issues and storage problems due to increased potential for water uptake. Ammonium nitrate is usually applied by a broadcast application. When deciding what form of Nitrogen fertilizer to buy it is also important to calculate what the cost is per pound of Nitrogen. With Urea providing 46

pounds of Nitrogen per 100 pounds of material and Ammonium Nitrate providing 34 pounds of Nitrogen per 100 pounds of material, it is important to calculate your cost per pound and per acre. If both are priced at $800/ton or $.40/pound and you are wanting to put 80 pounds of actual Nitrogen on per acre. It will take 173 pounds (80/.46) of Urea at $.40/pound = $69.2/acre or it will take 235 pounds (80/.34) of Ammonium Nitrate at $.40/pound = $94/acre. With both Nitrogen fertilizer at the same price, Urea will always be cheaper per acre. Typically, Urea will be cheap enough to justify in most situations.

When deciding what form to utilize, you must consider potential for loss. Nitrogen can be lost from the soil three different ways. Denitrification occurs when there is not enough oxygen to supply the needs of the soil bacteria and microorganisms. This is com-

Continued on pg14

Greener Pastures: GP President and Rancher, Bill Clark showing the results of proper fertility in a newly established stand of Texoma MaxQ fescue.

Photo By: Betty Clark

mon when soils have been saturated for 2 to 3 days. This causes oxygen to be stripped from the nitrates and produces N gas or nitrous oxide which volatilizes from the soil and is lost. Leaching occurs when there is more precipitation than the soil can hold. Nitrates are moved through the soil with the excess water and lost. Soils with low water holding capacities, such as sandy soils, have higher potential for N loss due to leaching. Lastly, N is commonly lost to surface volatilization which is caused from N breaking down and forming ammonia gasses. The type of N fertilizer utilized affects the probability for loss due to denitrification, leaching, or volatilization.

Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied when pastures will have the best opportunity to have a yield response. For cool season pastures, research shows that split N applications generally maximize yields when N is applied in the late summer, early spring and for added growth again in the late spring. Mid-summer N applications are not recommended for cool-season grasses since they typically do not respond and summer weeds are stimulated. Therefore, to fully benefit from the cost of N fertilizer, apply when plants will have the best response and are able to uptake the most N. Ample precipitation and/or soil moisture along with cooler temperatures provide plants the best chance to respond. Timely application will result in less loss due to leaching or denitrification.

Urea, each additional ton of grass produced has a cost of $43/ton

When deciding to use fertilizer or not, there are things to consider especially in times of high fertilizer prices.,

1. How will your grass stand respond to the additional fertilizer? For example, do you have the moisture needed to utilize the fertilizer and do you have a good stand of grass.

2. Have you checked to see if the Potassium and Phosphorus levels are appropriate for the production you are looking for? With low levels of P & K, you could be wasting your money on Nitrogen.

3. How much Nitrogen should you use? When deciding this, you should consider several things: cost of fertilizer, how much forage you need or stocking rate, outlook for rainfall, and how much risk you are willing to take. In most situations, it has been recommended that you should consider a minimum of 80 pounds of actual N. If you are thinking of doing less, consider doing less acres at the 80 pounds of actual N pound (173 pounds of Urea) or more rate.

When using nitrogen, 50 pounds of actual Nitrogen per acre has the potential to increase production of Bermuda grass by 1 ton per acre. At $800/ton for

Whatever you decide to do, remember that however you obtain it, whether you grow or buy it, livestock have to have forage to produce for you. If you are a cow-calf operation providing a good forage supply during breeding season is the most important aspect of profitability. Because even with good calf prices for the next few years, you can’t sell a calf that isn’t born.

Cowpox: In pastures with nitrogen deficiencies “cow pox” or areas of defecation can commonly been seen. These spots are identifiers that yield and production are being lost and additional N will result in more yield.

Photo By: Photo Submitted

Kubota Introduces Next Generation Tractor Models to its Legacy L Series

2/16/2022 - Kubota Company News

Kubota Tractor Corporation announced two new models to its legacy Standard L-Series compact tractor line with the addition of the L3302 and the L3902. Kubota’s L-Series was the first tractor that enabled Kubota to put down roots in the U.S., helping to power and empower the American dream for the past 50 years. Kubota celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and the ‘do-it-yourself’ lifestyle that the L-Series compact tractor has helped Americans build, shape, and grow. The addition of the two new L02 models build on the L-Series’ multi-generational reputation for durability, affordability, and versatility that has made it the number one selling compact tractor in the U.S. for decades.

The new L02 models boast enhanced operator comfort features, modern styling and most notably an independent PTO that is now available on the HST models. Both the L3302 and the L3902 were unveiled at the 2022 National Farm Machinery Show and will be available at authorized Kubota dealerships early this spring.

are designed to not only maximize performance, but also to keep you operating thanks to a large fuel tank and fuel-efficient engine.

Modern Styling and Comfort Abound

The new L02 Series sets itself apart from its predecessor models with a more spacious operator station, standard rubber floor mats and improved suspension seat with optional arm rests. The modern styling stands out with a sleek curve to the bonnet and standard LED headlights and side work lights – the L3302 and L3902 look, feel, and operate as a premium compact tractor.

“The upgrades on our new L02 compact tractors were strategic and universal to the line – we added comfort and styling features while keeping affordability top-of-mind,” said Beau Woodbury, Kubota compact tractor product manager. “With the new L3302 and L3902 we are officially introducing the next generation of our popular Standard L-Series line. I’m most excited to offer new comfort features as well as enhanced key operational features – such as the new independent PTO on the HST models.”

Powerful

Performance

Kubota has built a reputation in its class due to the L-Series tractor’s power and performance backed by a Kubota diesel engine. The L02 Series offers two horsepower options, with 33 and 37.5 gross horsepower on the L3302 and L3902, respectively. Kubota’s L02 Series tractors are equipped with a Common-Rail System (CRS) with electronic controlled fuel injection and are designed to reduce noise and vibration for a smooth operator experience. Kubota diesel engines

Smooth and Easy Operation with Independent PTO Option

Both Kubota’s new L02 four-wheel drive models are available with either gear drive or HST transmissions. The HST provides speed and forward/ reverse control that can be operated simply by pressing down on the pedal. The gear drive transmission provides the power and versatility with eight forward and eight reverse speeds to get the job done. Plus, new to the L02 this year is an independent PTO on the HST models, allowing for a quick engagement of the PTO by the easy flip of a switch while operating the tractor.

Performance-Matched LA526 Front Loader

Designed specifically for the L3302 and L3902, the performance-matched front loader is deeper and has a maximum lift capacity of 1,144 pounds at the pin and a maximum lift height of 94 inches at the pin. The loader valve is designed for simultaneous boom and bucket operation and a regenerative circuit, increasing speed and dump times and maximizing productivity. The LA526 front loader can quickly and easily be removed from the tractor without tools or need for buying additional “parking” kits, making it more versatile and easier to use.

The L3302 and the L3902 are now available at your local Great Plains Kubota. For more information or to find a Kubota that's right for you visit www.gpkubota.com.

UBy Bill Clark

Suppression of Truth is nothing new

nless you’ve been totally off the grid the past few weeks, you couldn’t have missed all the news about Elon Musk purchasing Twitter for 44 billion dollars. Here’s a quote from Mr. Musk explaining why he wanted to purchase Twitter. “My strong intuitive sense is that having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important to the future of civilization. I don’t care about the economics at all.”

Musk believes that truth has been suppressed by groups such as Twitter and he sees free speech as so essential to our future, that he is willing to spend a large part of his fortune to correct it.

I’m with Mr. Musk. I believe that the truth about many important topics has been manipulated by biased media the past few years and social media has just made it easier for those who choose to distort the truth. Let’s name a few of these issues that many believe the public has been mislead about: Origin of Covid 19, Election Fraud, Evolution, Critical Race Theory, Gender Identity, Climate Change, Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine, Masks, Vaccines, Immigration, Abortion, etc. Have I touched a nerve yet?

We now have “professional spin doctors”, a person whose job is to put his finger into the wind of public opinion on an issue and decide how to bend the facts to make them sound appealing, with little or no regard for truth. My personal opinion is that the suppression of truth or the dissemination of disinformation is literally tearing our country apart. Not much good can come from hiding the truth or promoting a lie.

On the surface, this would appear to be a recent phenomenon brought about by the internet and social media. But, the suppression of truth is nothing new. The crafty serpent, aka the devil, started the problem when he said to Eve, “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" From that point on, we have been questioning the truth and trying to spin what we know is right, into what we want.

Christian apologist Tim Keller explains it like this. “Imagine a man whose wife died, leaving him one son. He’s really frustrated and disappointed in his career, so, as a result, everything in his life revolves around his son.

He sends him to the best school. One day, the teacher tells him there is pretty good evidence that his son routinely cheats and steals from other kids. But, as parents often do, the father works out a counter theory that explains the evidence, convinces himself that the people at this school have it out for them, and pulls his son out of school. Well, six months later, the same situation happens at a new school and every school thereafter. In his heart, the man knows the truth. But in his mind, he won’t admit it to himself. His son is his savior and his joy, and he can’t entertain that theory.” Mr. Keller says that most atheists that have become Christians will tell you that they always knew there was a God, they just didn’t want to admit it.

The Apostle Paul warned in the book of Romans of the dire consequences of suppressing the truth. Paul writes that the wrath of God is revealed against those who suppress the truth and goes on to explain that God gives those people over to the desires of their hearts, which turns out to be depravity.

[Rom 1:18-25 CSB] 18 For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. 24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.

Thank you Elon Musk for your effort to stop the suppression of truth but the real responsibility lies within each of us.

Drought Management Plan for Your Cow/Calf Enterprise

By Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

Drought seems to happen somewhere every year. The key to getting a cow/calf enterprise through drought conditions is to have a management plan. Drought forces forage/livestock producers to develop strategies that deal with indirect economic and biological effects of animals for the available feed resources as well as direct effects of reduced water supply for plants and animals. Trying to feed the whole herd through a drought with purchased feeds can be financial suicide, especially if drought conditions last over more than one growing season. Many strategies can be used to reduce forage demand. Drought management strategies can be subdivided into three categories: livestock inventory; use of existing forage resources; and alternative feeding programs.

ADJUSTING LIVESTOCK INVENTORY

Adjusting livestock inventory to reduce and balance total forage required with available forage supply usually is the most economical alternative. Individual production records come in handy to identify low producing females. Cull late calving cows, older cows, and less productive cows. Cull early to avoid selling when prices are low because everyone else is selling. Consider culling females that are in the bottom 15% to 20% of production for two to three years in succession. These females may be telling you that they don't "fit" for some reason. If there is a time when individual records are valuable in management decisions, this is one. Depopulation is the initial step in adjusting livestock inventory to forage availability.

Typically drought is not a wide-spread climatic condition. It may be economical to secure pasture in another part of the state or in a surrounding state. If this is an option, make sure all parties understand the terms of the pasture lease and who monitors the cattle and checks water and puts out mineral. If there are cows that are relocated and a portion that remain at the "home" place, have a biosecurity plan for when the relocated cattle return. The plan should include not co-mingling the cows for a period of time after they return. Consult your veterinarian to help in designing a plan.

Remove yearlings from pasture early and sell or

drylot. One of the advantages of having a yearling enterprise along with a cow/calf enterprise is if pasture becomes limited, yearlings can be sold or moved to the feedlot and the calf making factory can be kept intact.

Usually in drought conditions, early weaning calves are more effective than creep feeding. Lactational pressure is not removed from the dam when calves are creep-fed. Data from the University of Illinois indicates early-weaned calves are efficient at converting feed to calf gain. If calves are early weaned, consider retaining them to take advantage of the efficient gain. Another reason to consider retaining early-weaned calves is they are light at weaning and, if sold right off the cow, usually don't generate enough dollars the cover annual cow costs. There is a body of data that indicates that early weaned calves exposed to high energy diets soon after weaning have a high propensity to grade USDA Choice or higher. Know your annual cow/calf enterprise production costs and determine when calves should be marketed for the greatest potential profit. With the current prices of light-weight calves, this must be thought through carefully. Finally, data would suggest that for every 2.5 days that a calf is weaned from the dam, there is one more day of grazing available for the cow. Data collected at the University of Nebraska indicate that 250 to 350 pound calves will consume about 5 pounds of grass daily on a dry matter basis. There is also a saving in forage intake between a lactating and nonlactating female. Bred cows can get by on minimal forage if not suckling calves. Consider not keeping or keeping fewer replacement heifers. It may be more economical to retain young, healthy, open cows instead of heifers. When considering this management strategy, make certain that the non-pregnant cows that are being considered were not pregnant because of a disease problem. Consult your veterinarian to assure that there is not a health concern. Biosecurity at the ranch is important. Heifers require high quality feeds and forages and this expense is costly without a calf for income. In addition, first-calf-cows will wean the lightest calves and at a time when an operation is managing through

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• Integrated track design

• LCD color dash monitor

U.S. D rought Monitor

Author: Brad Rippey

U S Departm ent of Agriculture

drought conditions by reducing cow numbers, having more running age cows will result in the greatest pounds of calf weaned.

USE OF EXISTING FORAGES

Use existing forage resources efficiently. It seems that the greatest benefit of cross-fencing pastures and having a rotational grazing system occurs when managing through drought conditions.

Grazing systems don't have to be extensive, but allowing pastures to have a rest period in drought condition aids grass persistence. In addition, if carrying capacity is lowered during drought, improved grazing management minimizes the impact of drought on grasses.

Consider some of the following grazing management techniques during drought.

Delay turn-out to permanent pastures by feeding carryover hay or by grazing meadows, early alfalfa growth, or winter cereal grain pastures. A 1- to 2-week delay in turn-out can increase forage production 10 percent or more when soil moisture is limited.

8 a.m. EDT (Released Thursday, Apr. 28, 2022)

Drought Impact Ty pes:

S = Short-Term, typically less than 6 months (e g agriculture, grasslands)

L = Long-Term, typically greater than 6 months (e g hydrology, ecology) Delineates dominant impacts Intensity:

When considering this option, consider the trade-off between forage quality and forage yield.

You could also flip this management consideration and graze the grass early knowing there is a reduction in yield and keep the hay to feed later.

Construct temporary cross-fences within larger pastures to concentrate grazing. This encourages cattle to more completely use whatever forage available and defers grazing on the other pastures, allowing them to accumulate more growth before being grazed. Be sure to provide enough time for adequate plant recovery before grazing the pasture again.

Skim or flash graze each pasture very briefly with a high concentration of livestock early in the grazing season to use plants that otherwise would become mature and left ungrazed if grazing is delayed. Typical examples include sedges, cheatgrass and downy brome, bluegrass, and early forbs.

Temporary electric fencing and hauling water may be needed to control when and where cattle graze certain areas. Be especially cautious of poisonous plants

as well as nitrates, prussic acid, and grass tetany. Some plants that are not normally consumed may poison livestock when forage supply is low.

Avoid overgrazing rangeland, otherwise recovery following drought will be slow and production depressed for an extended time.

Time grazing in pastures with questionable water supply or quality early in the grazing season when water demand by cattle will be less.

ALTERNATE FEEDING OPPORTUNITIES

Additional forage supplies can be developed. These options, though, must be chosen with great care because they may be expensive relative to other alternatives, such as de-stocking or relocating cows. Following are some forage feeding opportunities. Cut winter wheat for hay instead of grain, especially if low grain yields are expected and price is low. Oats could be planted as early as possible for grazing or for hay. Oats use spring moisture very efficiently to produce forage. Use alfalfa for pasture instead of hay. In this situation, other winter feed supplies will be needed. Protect cattle from bloat. Consider green-chopped alfalfa or hay meadows and feed daily instead of grazing or harvesting as hay. This minimizes losses and stretches feed supply to its maximum, but it can be expensive. Plant summer annual forage grasses like sudangrass and millets. These plants are drought resistant but will need some summer moisture for economical growth. Always test summer annuals for nitrates. If nitrates are high, mix with low nitrate feeds and adapt cows. Graze corn, especially dryland corn with depressed yields. Corn provides high carrying capacity and quality for a "salvage" operation, but cross-fence and introduce cattle slowly to avoid digestive problems. If there is grass still available in the pasture, then supplementation with grain such as corn is not recommended to extend the pasture. Supplementing corn will actually reduce forage digestibility. Also, supplementation with a protein cube will not reduce forage intake, actually it will increase forage intake and therefore not extend the pasture. Because of the dry conditions, grasses tend to produce a seed-head earlier than usual; quality is likely lower than anticipated. To extend existing pasture, feeding alfalfa hay because it provides some protein and energy, but also fills the rumen and reduces pasture intake. Basically, alfalfa is being substituted for pasture. If pasture is available and you want to extend the pasture, feed 4 to 6 pounds of alfalfa per head per day. Alfalfa could

be fed three times a week to save on fuel and labor. Grain co-products are feeds to consider when trying to extend existing pasture. Grain co-products do not reduce digestibility of forages, so feeding them in a diet that is primarily forage will not have any negative associative effects. There is research being conducted at the University of Nebraska evaluating the use of grain co-products mixed with low quality forages as a feed to extend existing pasture in cattle grazing situations.

Dry-lotting cows may be an option in drought conditions. Distillers grains and corn are high in energy fees and diets that have these feeds in them will not need to be fed to the animals' full daily intake while still meeting their nutrient needs. It is important when feeding limit-fed high-energy rations that there is plenty of bunk space (28 to 36 inches per head of bunk space) so boss cows don't get more than their share and the timid, young cows get thin. Having plenty of bunk space when limit feeding high grain diet will help manage around the possibility of subacute acidosis if one or more cows eat more than their share of a high grain diet. The concentrate part of the ration will supply the energy and protein needs and the forage, medium to low quality forage is used so that rumen health is not compromised. Consider including a supplement that contains an ionophore. An ionophore will help reduce the occurrence of subacute acidosis and increase efficiency of use of the ration by the cows. Because these rations supply all the nutrients, they need to be fed daily. For the first week, consider feeding 50% of the ration in the morning and 50% of the ration in the evening. After a week, it is probably more economical to feed the ration once a day. Because cows are not fed to capacity, they will seem hungry, but should adapt in about 10 to 14 days. Lots or exercise pastures will need to have good fences. If straw or cornstalk bales are available and they are inexpensive, consider letting cows have access to these forages as filler to the main diet if cows have trouble adapting to limit-fed diets. In this feeding situation, it may be best to early wean the calf. Have a management plan and be prepared to implement it when a drought occurs. There are economical options to keep the productive cows in the herd. Records will be critical in drought situations, both from a cow culling and pasture management standpoint. Be creative in designing feeding alternatives.

ISERVANT LEADERSHIP

by Vicki May, Human Resources Director

n today’s economy of business, there is a continuous push to ‘coin’ the latest and greatest approach to impactful leadership. It is interesting to me, that while all of the prolific experts on leadership offer insightful and engaging thought on the subject matter of leadership—each echoes another, and the similarities and the ‘secret sauce’ to successful leadership are really much the same, except for one–Servant Leadership.

This edition of Great Plains living has an emphasis on Service and what it means to Serve. In keeping with this theme, the subject of Servant Leadership continues to be a popular approach to leadership that is capturing the attention of CEOs and businesses from Main Street to Wall Street.

The term, Servant Leadership, is credited to Robert Greenleaf in his 1970 essay, ‘The Servant as Leader’. Greenleaf, a former AT&T executive, was inspired by Hermann Hesse’s novel, Journey to the East, which tells the story of a humble servant named Leo, who guides a religious pilgrimage across the desert in search of ultimate truth. Leo is the servant in the group, and he takes care of all of the menial needs of the pilgrims and by doing so, he keeps their morale high. Into the story, Leo disappears and the group begins to fall apart and the pilgrimage is abandoned. The group realizes that it was Leo, the one serving the group by carrying their luggage and meeting their needs— who was in fact the true leader of the group. Greenleaf applied this fictional story to business, and his essay on ‘Servant Leadership’ began to disrupt from the top-down, corporate hierarchical boardrooms across the world as new generations of leaders have searched for better ways to lead.

A servant leader has been defined as a person who prioritizes the needs of others, and derives his/her authority from a heartfelt desire to help. Most of us have been taught that the leader is ‘out in front’--setting the examples and directing affairs from ‘above’, or at least from a different office. The servant leader does just the opposite. The servant leader doesn’t view themselves at the top of the hierarchy where they need to use their position to control things—servant leaders place

themselves at the bottom of the hierarchy where they can empower their people and allow them opportunities to have experiences that allow them to develop and to grow. The servant leader leads from behind, but is still present to provide direction and feedback. A servant leader uses sharpened management skills to lead from behind–skills like active listening, asking questions, talking through scenarios, and staying present and in-the-moment with their employees. The servant leader is able to lead from behind because they know their people–their strengths as well as their weaknesses. As a result, the servant leader earns loyalty and trust from his/her employees and develops highly functioning teams in the process.

The overarching difference between top-down leadership and Servant Leadership is that top-down leadership gets things done based on position, the servant leader gets things done though his/her ability to influence the team out of the team’s genuine trust and belief that the servant leader has the employees best interest at heart.

James Hunter in his book, The Servant, distinguishes the difference between power and authority. Hunter describes a leader who uses position and ‘power’ to coerce someone to adopt their beliefs and narratives, or to perform or carry-out the leaders directives because of a leader's position. Hunter denotes that ‘Power’ dictates what, when and how things will get done. On the other hand, Hunter explains that ‘Authority’ comes from influence and in cultivating a desire in other people to want to work with you. Hunter goes on to discuss how authority occurs when employees see the servant leader as trustworthy, caring, committed, selfless and understands how to listen to the employee's needs in order for the employee to be successful. Conversely, ‘Power’ carries-out the agenda of one person ‘in charge’, but as Hunter warns, this kind of control erodes relationships, and over time, organizations lose good talent. Employees won’t work for the power-position leader like they will work for the more successful leader with a servant’s heart.

Servant Leadership is not so rigid with black and white ‘must-do’s and must-haves’ as a model. The

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beauty of Servant Leadership as a model, is that if an organization buys-in to the concept that leaders exist to guide and serve the needs of their employees, and if there is understanding between the difference between the leader who must control, and the servant leader who earns authority and respect from their employees—then Servant Leadership can be summarized with a few generalized precepts. Organizations like: Marriott, The Container Store, Starbucks, Nordstroms, Southwest Airlines, Synovus Financial, Whole Foods Market, QuickTrip, SAS, and many more. Interestingly, a large number of companies that practice Servant Leadership are also among the ‘The Best Places To Work. The smaller businesses that practice servant leadership don’t make Fortunes list or the World's Top CEO list—but size doesn’t matter. In some form or fashion, these organizations consciously value and intentionally uphold the following general tenets of Servant Leadership: Greenleaf’s Five

where the company is going and works to make sure the team members goals and hopes align. The Servant Leader excites and involves the team members and shares with the team how the company’s direction includes them and their skillsets.

5. Trust - Servant leaders are deeply trusted by members inside the organization. People trust the Servant Leader’s word is their bond. This trust can not be bought–it must be earned. (Deception and manipulation are understood quickly by employees.)

tenets of Servant Leadership

1. Moral Love - Servant Leaders have a deep caring love for their employees–not just a few, but for all team members. They feel their pain and they look for opportunities to celebrate their joys. They love them like they would love a friend.

2. Humility - Servant leaders keep their egos incheck. They share credit and success with the entire team. Servant Leaders don’t take other’s good ideas as their own.

3. Altruism - Servant Leaders are ‘givers’. They put others’ needs before their own. (Servant Leaders eat last.) Servant Leaders prioritize the needs of their people as well as the needs in the community. Servant leaders the communities where they do business and they seek out ways to ‘give-back’ to those communities; they do not seek to benefit themselves in their outreach.

4. Vision - A Servant Leader has a clear vision of

Finally, Servant Leadership is hard, and it’s not a model for just any organization. Truth be told, most organizations are made-up of multiple leadership styles; if an organization could catch any vision of Servant Leadership–they would be a better organization for it. Servant Leadership takes time for relationships to form and for the leadership style to cycle throughout the organization. Fading-back and leading from behind is not easy. It requires equipping the servant leader with acute people skills that develop relationships where people want to perform well and where people want to stay.

Robert Greenleaf said, "Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?"

I have heard Bill Clark, Owner and Dealer Principal of Great Plains Kubota say this statement on more than one occasion.

"Great Plains is a ministry, and we might sell a few tractors along the way, my hope is that Great Plains will make a difference in the lives of our employees and our customers, and in the communities we serve."

If after reading this quick snapshot of Servant Leadership, you think it’s easy and that you’re already doing it—I have probably misled you.

MemorialDay "Meal-On-The-Grill"

"The steak I prefer is a well marbled Ribeye purchased from a local butcher not a box store. As for the sides, you can have as much or as little as you'd like, just know that sides on the grill can test your skills. I'd use potatoes with butter and sour cream, a thickly sliced onion and some yellow squash. Again, you can pretty much grill any side you'd want though. Some other ideas are: tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, or pretty much most any veggie. Fruits are another good option for sides on the grill. Pineapple is easy and awesome, but my favorite is chocolate drizzled peaches."

"One thing to do is really plan when grilling a complete meal. With such varying cook times it's important to drop your food accordingly. Start off with the potatoes and about half way through their cook time drop the seasoned onion and squash on the grill. Once the veggies are done you can move them to the outer edge to keep warm while you grill your steak to your preference. The last food item to grill would be the peaches, or most fruits will generally go on last. If your grill has enough heat, you can actually go enjoy the meal then come back out to finish cooking the peaches for dessert."

- Mike Summers

(Summer's Time BBQ)

When it comes to food on Memorial Day, nothing beats a complete Meal-On-The-Grill. Spending time with family and paying respects to those we've lost can drain us sometimes. Re charge yourself this year and spend sometime cooking for your loved ones out on the grill. When it comes to food here at Great Plains Kubota, our go-to employee for smoking and grilling is Parts Manager, Mike Summers. Below is his complete guide to a Meal-OnThe-Grill, which starts with a good steak, some awesome sides and a dessert to die for.

DIRECTIONS

1. Salt & Pepper your customized ribeye steak, add a dash of garlic

2. Slice potatoes long ways, this will create a nice flat surface,then rub with olive oil. Season with crushed black pepper, Lawry's Seasoning Salt, and of course butter.

3. Slice your onion or onions and squash to be about a 1/2 in. thick. Use Lawry's and butter to season the veggies with as well.

4. Peaches will need to be sliced in half and have the seed removed.

5. Go ahead and mix your peach drizzle which is a couple of TBSP of melted butter, a TSP of cinnamon, and a TSP of cocoa. Set aside to drizzle when peaches become soft.

6. Prepare your grill so that it will have enough heat to cook your entire "Meal-On-The-Grill"

7. Grill potatoes skin side down on a piece of foil for starters. Once they've softened you can add butter to melt on the potatoes while cooking on the foil. Keep checking them with a fork. Add the other veggies when the potatoes are about half way done.

8. Add your veggies to the grill and when they heat up add some butter, (don't forget to add some butter) we sometimes add butter to our butter. Veggies can be cooked to preference much like the steak but having them nice and soft, but not mushy is typically how they are presented.

9. Move the veggies to the edge when done then add your steak and simply cook the way you or others like it. When done remove the steak and vegetable sides from the grill and tent them with foil.

10. Start the peaches flat side down, until grill marks are made then flip to the skin side which you've rubbed with olive oil by now. Apply chocolate drizzle once the peaches are soft all the way through.

Enjoy

Great Plains Kubota