TRIP PHOTOS
Taking mineral blocks, supplements and molasses out to cattle on pastures in the snow
Smashing holes in the ice for the cattle to drink through
Checking cattle and cracking ice on troughs on one of the ranches in Colorado
These are two of the best looking escape artists you'll ever see. All this cold weather had them out looking around the county for a bit of sun I suppose
The Walsh Eagles Varsity Basketball team at half time. Zach (number 10) killin' it! Safe to say, its not hard to tell at the basketball when his crazy Aussie cousin is back in town. (I'm the #1, very slightly biased fan)
Smashing more frozen troughs on the ranch in Kansas
Getting in some quality time with my favorite Kentucky Mountain horse. The temperature was extremely low that day, we also had a little snow the night before. Safe to say that would have to be the coldest ride i have ever been on!
Amazing who you find on the other side of the world. During our last week in Colorado before college, I had a chance to head down to the National Western Stock Show in Denver Colorado with James (another cousin) where I found Emily Hurst (a mate from college at home) working with Angus in the cattle barn.
A quick visit to the Purebred Barn at K-Sate after Livestock Sales and Management class for a look at this years sale bulls and females
A very cold day on the ranch in Colorado
Straight to the Basketball the day we got into Manhattan, KS. I am already a big fan, didn't take me long! Have already picked my favorite player and everything!
Casey Donahew Band concert at The Hat in Manhattan, Kansas
A very engaging presentation by the Head of Corporate Affairs for JBS, Cameron Bruett regarding the changing expectations of consumers. NCBA Nashville, Tennessee
At the Cattlemen's College, NCBA, Nashville Tennessee with a few members from the K-State Collegiate Cattleman's and Cattlewomen's Clubs
The Kansas State University's Collegiate Cattleman's Club
Hanging out with the KState rodeo team on a goat tying horse called Dixie
Every building here at KState looks like a castle! Its a very beautiful college
Me sporting one of my very characteristic 'bird nest' hair do's after an interview with K-State's ag paper
Isaac showing off his skills with the calving dummy at the NCBA trade show
This years K-State sale bulls ready for the sale video
Clipping bulls in preparation for the sale
Galen and Lori Fink and their son in law Chad Larson from Fink Genetics
Galen Fink from Fink Genetics giving a presentation to our beef systems management class
(left) I had really thought about this photo here and whether or not to put it on the blog for everyone to see, or if it was just one of those photos I sometimes take for my own benefit. But even now weeks after, the message Galen had fit these cards, is still etched into my brain. He handed out one card each to everyone in the Beef Systems Management class that day, asked before we had turned it over whether we would like to swap. He then instructed to turn them over and proceeded to go on with his analogy. It had seemed pretty fitting to me that the card I had received while being so fortunate with this scholarship to K-State, was a king. The analogy was that you may not always be so lucky to receive such a good hand but what you decide to do with it will ultimately determine where you end up. Are you happy with where you are or do you think that maybe you need to work a little harder to get to where you will be?
Me trying to keep these two photophobic boys in line at the Kansas Cattle Drive in Buhler so that boss can get a photo
Wet Distillers Grain
Having a look at the ration ingredients at ILS, Ellinwood, KS with Joe and Cassidy Schlessiger- Steamed flaked corn
This here is one of the many reasons that I have so much fun in America!
Getting a good look around the cattle and new renovations at the ILS feedyard in Ellinwood, KS
(Above) Just a few of the very many pens of Holstein cattle fed at the ILS (Innovative Livestock Services) feedlot in Ellinwood, KS
(Right) Getting a good look at Joe's nice little Angus replacement heifers at Schlessiger farms in Ellinwood Kansas. A very kind family that I really enjoyed spending the weekend with!
The Stanley Stout Center all decked out and ready for the K-State 40th Annual Legacy Bull and Female Sale.
Rachael Buzanowski preparing heifers for the Kansas State University's 40th Annual Legacy Bull and Female Sale at the purebred unit
The 2016-2017 K-State Livestock Sales and Management class
A couple of the girls from the livestock sales management class and I in the pens on sale day
Visually assessing the Angus bulls prior to the sale
Celebrations at the end of the sale. Another excellent day with some very brilliant people!
Rachael keeping the heifers in order on sale day so that they stay presentable for potential buyers
Doing my best to learn to speak a little Cherokee on a run around the Konza Prarie on a beautiful sunny day with Shelbey Taylor
Dan Johnson showing off the fabulous view of Tuttle Creek, Manhattan KS
Tuttle Creek, Manhattan KS
Tuttle Creek, Manhattan KS
Visiting 'headquarters' of the purebred unit. these are some of this years Angus replacement heifers
These are some of Dr Griegor's 'AI training machines.' on the 13th of March I was extremely fortunate to sit in on the beginning of Dr Greigor and Dr Nicholls's AI training course. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the whole week, due to an earlier commitment that was taking me to in Montana, however I was very appreciative for the opportunity and the things that I had the chance to do and learn that day.
For spring break this year I was offered an irrifusible trip to Montana to visit with a seed stock Hereford stud to learn more about beef production at the cow calf level. Pompey's Pillar, Montana
The cow herd at breakfast time, all very happy and healthy on this very fine day!
This is a very old foot table on the Snowshoe Hereford Cattle Company Ranch
Some of this years calf crop relaxing in the sun at breakfast time at Snowshoe Cattle Company, Pompey's Pillar, Montana
The Yellowstone River is incredibly scenic and runs right through the Back paddock of Snowshoe Cattle Company
Rims at the Yellowstone River at the back pasture
Processing newborns for identification and data collection. Calves are tagged and tatooed and birth weights are collected. From there, 'mama' takes the reins. All calves are carefully watched and attentively walked through every morning.
Me appreciating the view of the Yellowstone River from the bridge on the walk to Pompey's Pillar
William Clark's signature on preserved on the side of the Pompey's Pillar Monument
Pompey's Pillar Monument, Montana
Rachael Buzanowski and "Tough" spending a little quality time together during feeding. I have a feeling he might like a little shoulder scratch!
This is the microscopic picture of a sperm test projected onto a TV screen at ORIgen from a scientific microscope. These semen tests are conducted to determine sperm motility, abnormalities concentration ect.
Looking out over the Yellowstone River from the top of Pompey's Pillar
Another look over the Yellowstone River from the top of Pompey's Pillar
Gary Wall from ORIgen and I back at the office after a tour through the bull pens. Montana, USA
Preparing a slide to assess semen quality
The microscope is hooked to the TV screen to allow for multiple people to observe during tours
The semen tanks at ORIgen used to store straws from all bulls collected on location
A two story semen tank in the lab at ORIgen
One of the AV's (Artificial Vaginas) used for semen collection at ORIgen
A father daughter photo of Bernie and Rachael Buzanowski on their ranch in one of the Snowshoe Cattle Co pastures skirting part of the Yellowstone River
Stacey, Rachael and Bernie Buzanowski checking out a potential semen donor for their herd
Stacey Buzanowski assessing the bulls in the pens the day before the Vermillion Ranch Bull Sale
Some of the boys from Vermillion Ranch having a big spell after a long day of looking super good for potential buyers
More of Vermillion Ranch's very impressive bulls just hanging out in the pens the day before the sale
The Incredible Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
The Crazy Horse Monument in it's 69th year of construction! South Dakota.
The K-State Little American Royal (LAR) beef heifers in the new feed pens at the Purebred Unit
The Kansas State University's Little American Royal beef heifers up at the bunk for breakfast at the K-State purebred units new feedlot facility.
Above is the portable AI box there at the end of the race that is used to hold cattle for Artificial Insemination at the Purebred Unit. This is a very handy piece of equipment, being that it allows greater efficiency throughout the whole process and is moveable, which decreases livestock travel time required.
Brooke McNickle and Hannah Miller (from Clovia- the house I'm staying in) cleaning up their Dairy Heifers the morning of the Little American Royal out the back of Weber Arena.
An inside view of the two way draft in the portable AI box from the back looking forward.
CIDRs and semen tank loaded and ready to go for breeding season at the K-State Purebred Unit.
Dr Griegor palpating the cervix of this young heifer to enable for smooth passage of the AI gun to ensure semen is deposited in the correct location so that pregnancy can occur
Inside the portable AI box. This photo is taken directly to the left of the above picture, just outside of the race leading into the two way draft.
Chase Gleason and Dane Cummings checking heats on pasture at the Purebred Unit.
This little bloke needed a hand getting home so he was loaded up and rode a little ways like this.
Dan Johnson showing a bit of K-State pride during breeding at the Purebred Unit.
Somehow I managed to score Boss's horse for heat checks here
I was very lucky to have had the opportunity to visit with the fellas at the K-State Beef Stocker Unit a few mornings within the last couple of weeks and give Tyler Spore a hand with his research project on different diet types for backgrounder calves.
Getting an early start in at the K-State Beef Stocker Unit .
This here is a hydraulic ramp that will go all the way to the top deck of a semi trailer right to the ground for easy loading in a gooseneck cattle trailer also.
Headed down to Ellinwood after the Gardiner Angus Bull and Female Sale for church with one of my favorite American families and the local high schoool's donkey basketball fundraiser game.
Bringing pairs home to pastures closer to 'headquarters' at the Purebred Unit. This pasture is north of Manhattan prior to burning season.
Controlled burning at the purebred unit as a management strategy (widely implemented in eastern Kansas) to set back growth of pest plant and insect species and promote the growth of new plants to increase nutritional value of pastures.
Justice Bartoneck and Logan Drake running the water truck along the edge of the fire controlling the outside spread.
Before I got around the corner and let the wind take the fire to meet the top right hand of this photo.
Cruising fence lines in Florence, KS with Zach and Mike prior to letting out cow calf pairs for grazing.
Spending a little quality family time out at Florence, KS (also pictured left). James interrupting my quality photo op... soon after he copped a handful of that slime to the back.
Left: Dr Ted Houser (left on the horse) and Dr Kip Lukawiewicz (on the right) hosting a short livestock handling clinic specific to loading cattle for transport at the 2017 PAC Beef Summits in Kearney, Nebraska.
My goodness, how lucky am I to have had the opportunity to sit in on this years Beef Summits in Kearney, Nebraska among such an incredible team of esteemed veterinarians. Here, I felt like a little girl at a Justin Beiber concert! haha from left to right. Dr Pete Anderson (Midwest PMS), Dr Tom Noffsinger (PAC, USA), Dr Simone Holt (Nutrition Service Accosiation, Australia), Dr Kev Sullivan (PAC, Australia), Dr Kip Lukawiewicz (PAC, USA) and Dr Ted Houser (PAC, USA)
I caught James singing on the way home from checking cattle pastures.
Ladies and gentleman your next Alan Jackson right there... if he sounded like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs hahah. Lucky we don't love you for your singing Jim
Riding through the heifer calf herd back in Walsh, Colorado.
Zac telling me all about the crops this year and teaching me how to use his pivots. Walsh, Colorado.
One of Zac's pivot running over his wheat crop this year. Walsh, Colorado.
James and I went back home to Walsh, CO to spend Easter with the family. Easter Sunday Mike took the boys and I out to one of their pastures (Mary-Lou went back home to Australia to spend Easter with the Australian side) to read a few verses from the bible. Then we all went out to Easter lunch at the ranch before we drove back to Manhattan.
Pens in the K-State nursery pig shed
Not quite the same as cattle but my goodness how precious is this little bloke!?
One of the pens of piglets in Hayden's research trial. What a little mob of sweet things to help start the day off right.
Left and Above: Doctoring bulls at the Purebred Unit
Tyler Leonhard (Boss at the Purebred Unit) checking heats
Tyler artificially inseminating one of the heifers detected earlier for heat
Doctoring calves at the Purebred Unit
Above and Below: Doctoring Heifers out on pastures
Left to right. Joe Reinert, Chase Meisinger, me, Ashlea Baalmann, Isaac Meyer and Andy Phipps. The K-State Collegiate Cattleman's Club industry tour in Nebraska. This photo was taken at Nebraska Bull Service.
Andy, Joe and Ash getting checking out semen storage tanks at the Nebraska Bull Service- each of these tanks can hold up to 80,000 straws.
At the Nebraska Bull Service moments before jumping young bulls.
These are used to transport semen tanks around the country.
This machine fills straws at the Nebraska Bull Service.
All CSS accredited semen is put through extensive quarantine procedures which enable it to be sold and exported to Australia and New Zealand. Once these bulls and their semen are tested and run through these processes, which are minimum requirements for Australia, the straws made are able to be sold anywhere in the world.
Left: Dr Tom Noffsinger testing out a very cool new type of calf restraint for tagging. His incredible passion for cattle behavior is just awesome and is absolutely 100% totally INFECTIOUS!
These little babies were born the night prior to the day this photo was taken. Dr Tom has an incredible way of communicating with cattle through using very small hints of body language that suggest to them what he would like them to do. Today he explained about neonate's sight and how it encourages them to be very curious and forgiving at such young ages.
Left to right. Joe Reinert, Andy Phipps, Dr Tom, Ash Baalmann, Isaac Meyer, myself and Chase Meisinger.
After our afternoon with Dr Tom, he and his lovely wife Deanna took us out for a really nice steakhouse dinner. (Excuse my beanie hair, it was absolutely freezing that day and by the end of it, my beanie had managed to build a 'birdsnest' on my head!
Treating this little Red Angus replacement heifer at Dr Tom's ranch for a respiratory disease. He is passing Joe a stethoscope he had used to record and evaluate heart and lung score of this animal (2) much the same as done with the Whisper, so that Joe can hear it before Dr Tom administered Draxxin for treatment.
Right: Saturday, the last stop on the 2017 CCC Industry Tour was Heartland Cattle Company. A unique business contract feeding replacement heifers for cattle companies in many states throughout US and preparing them for bred seasons and re-entry into the herds they originated from or sale.
This photo to the right and the one below is in reference to the paragraph about cattle acclimation in my blog post from the week i had spent with Dr. Tom.
isn't it amazing that every single animal in in this pen is just so attentive, 'asking' us what we'd like them to do next and just feeding off of our every move. This is a very serious little win for this pen. We didn't put a whole lot of emphasis on moving them to the feed bunk before we had left, but when we did go, there was not one steer not headed that way.
Dr. Tom's horse "Rail" and I being a lane blocker for excising cattle at North Platte Livestock Feeders.
it was an incredible honor to work with this little horse during my time with Dr Tom. I was informed he had a rough start before Dr Tom had found him and it was very rewarding and humbling to ride and get to know Rail and try to work through a few of his little complexes in the short time we had together.
A foot abscess, found and treated by Dr Jose at North Platte Livestock Feeders
Dr Tom and his Mexican 'birthday' cake.
loading Red Angus heifers into the staging yard ready for artificial insemination at Dr Tom and Dianne's ranch
The adjustable race at the end of the bud box, leading up to the portable AI box with no backs used to hold heifers for artificial insemination
The portable AI box used for artificial insemination of these Red Angus replacement heifers
A look down a feed alley at Schramm Livestock Feeders, Yuma, CO
The horse barn at the Flitner Ranch (Featured on the Flitner ranch Website)
Cow Horses bred on the Flitner Ranch- Shell, Wyoming
A panorama of the processing facilities used at the feedlot - Flitner Ranch. Temple Grandin was flown in to implement the design of this particular facility- Shell, Wyoming
Looking at the Flitner Angus bulls that have come in from pasture, currently being fed drylot.
Cody, Wyoming. touring the Buffalo Bill museum in the rodeo capital of America. Before my tour of this museum all a buffalo bill was to me was a brand of ice cream. As it turns out, he also has an intricate story in American history.
A dinosaur fossil inside the Buffalo Bill museum found on the Flitner Ranch.
Left to right: Dan Johnson, Shelbey Taylor, myself and Morgan Flitner
One of the many hot springs at the Yellowstone National Park
One of the more touristy components of our tour through Shell, Wyoming.
