Travel Chronicles: Road to Cow Town, OKC -> DENVER

THE ROAD TO COW TOWN

by Tim McCray, photos & illustration by Derek Sample, Tim@ABPmag.com Derek@ABPmag.com

aka the Covid files

Derek, Willow, and Maverick picked me up in Phoenix on January 5th after a few short days with my daughter and my 1-week old granddaughter Chloe. My sixth overall (I’m catching up to Bob), but Chloe is also a rainbow baby, with some tiny shoes to fill and big holes to heal. Of course, the entire world had changed since 2020 (when I was last at the NWSS) and is still in that development mode, much like the yards at NWSS this year. My older brother Joe was of immense help in 2020, acting as my caretaker, driver, landlord, and assistant. I’ve been lucky to have him in Littleton, Co, in that I had a place to stay, warm free food to eat, as well as a place to ship magazines to for distribution. Back then, Oklahoma was a drive-through state on my way to Phoenix, not a destination afterward. I don’t even think Covid was on any radar back then; the world was normal. Jim (Sample, former publisher) died a little later that month, just after we had finished getting that year’s February issue off to the printer. Looking back on it now, I’m surprised we got through it all. After all, Derek, Valerie, and the dogs came

NWSS NWSS

THE ROAD TO COW TOWN

aka the Covid files

from California, we had a funeral, and a whole house needed to be cleaned out where our former offices were. We had some help with putting magazines together, and somehow we managed, like usual, a March, April, and May issue. In addition to all of that, this pandemic was just getting started. Of course, it’s something we’d all like to forget and ignore, and WE haven’t really talked about it. But I have observed and at least taken mental notes. Derek and I have managed an incredible amount of travel in the last two years. Most of which have been logged and written into several different issues. Despite there still being a raging pandemic going on, and no matter where we go, the virus seems to be peaking whenever we’re in those areas. Despite all of that, we’ve both remained healthy and unaffected, at least in the positive test sense. We’ve visited a few ranchers throughout our travels who have had it, gotten over it, and survived. We’ve also been in contact, maskless, and survived. Derek has to be over-cautious in that sense, and I had made up my mind sometime back in April of that year that I was no longer going to live in fear – if I got it, I got it. I wasn’t overly concerned but slightly cautious. I’m not an anti-vaxxer nor am I pro-vax. To each their own, I’m more like

Switzerland. I only mention that because I wasn’t jumping on the boat to get vaccinated right away. I see this as a science experiment, hoping to be in group two. It turns out there are more than two groups. With that said, I got shot just before I left for our three-week tour of Montana and such to ease my traveling partner’s mind. Plus, I didn’t want to be responsible if I wasn’t vaccinated if he got sick; aside from this 3rd appendage growing out of my neck, I’m fine. Ok, that part isn’t genuine. But God does have a way of looking out for us all or at least has enough of a sense of humor as my whole family tested positive just after Thanksgiving. We’re all okay, though, and if anyone else is keeping track, I was the only one who had a shot. I’ve learned since the beginning of this experiment more than anything, tomorrow is no guarantee, and there needs to be more carpe diem in everyone. So, as a result, I’ve learned never to miss an opportunity during travel to visit some ranches along the way. Sometimes they pan out, sometimes they don’t. Leaving Arizona on our way to Oklahoma I tried my best to line up some visits in New Mexico, but we couldn’t make it happen. Plus that drive turned into being longer than I was hoping for anyway. Though I’m sure we’ll swing through that area again. The Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City provided an alternative last year since Denver was closed. We heard that it was much better organized this year, and there were plenty of participants. Cattle were moved into the barns at the Oklahoma state fairgrounds, instead of more confined into the horse pens in the super barn last year. We also visited two popular steakhouses for dinner; our favorite was Charleston’s, where the food and the service were outstanding. Our drive to Denver provided us with a stop at McCurry Angus in Burrton, KS. When we arrived, we were greeted by Aubree (10) & Molly (7), who had just gotten home from school courtesy of their Grandfather Andy McCurry. We had a friendly chat with the two young girls about their school and ranch life. Then they quickly went in to change clothes and start their afternoon chores on a beautiful 60-degree day with plenty of sunshine. John’s youngest, Drew (5), the 5th Generation of Angus Breeders here, also made an appearance. Nearly 45 years ago, Andy & Mary (both 3rd generation Angus breeders) started McCurry Angus with seven heifers out of 7 distinct cow family lines. They also started with no land, facilities, or equipment. In 2015 they were awarded the Seedstock Producer of the Year by the Beef Improvement Federation in Biloxi, MS. John explains that they had purchased the property they now call home two years ago, and his grandparents previously owned it. However, a couple of other owners had occupied the place in between. This year, the McCurry’s had just finished AI’ing before heading to Oklahoma themselves. John had a better perspective on Oklahoma this time since they attended last year and got the lowdown. He states, “the trade show this year was way bigger and a lot more organized than it was last year.” In addition, parking was “free and plentiful in OKC”. There have been some additions in power, but still there were plenty of generators lined up outside every entrance to the barns. However, Oklahoma is just getting started. We were told that more improvements are coming in the year ahead and we’re curious to see what they come up with. John has recently started as an outside rep for Kattle Energy, a subsidiary of Kansas Ethanol, providing range cubes and lick tubs for cows and horse feed and deer supplements. The McCurry’s offering is bred for the commercial cattleman, making the best cattle they can phenotypically but have a data set that makes them marketable. With balanced traits, calving ease, and enough growth, their end product merit is in check. This year’s sale will be on March 10th and will see sire groups from Coleman Bravo, Basin Rainmaker4404, KG Justified, Musgrave Stunner, HA Relevant, McCurry Bismarck & Final Answer.

We’d spent the night in Quinter, KS, and after searching (& searching) for breakfast, we decided on the gas station for a few packaged donuts and a cliff bar. The joys of life on the road. We then pulled into Jamison Herefords just before noon, probably about a half-hour earlier than we were expected. Gordan Jamison, of course as you may know, had a cow dispersal sale last year and is getting ready for another bull sale at the end of this month. He’s confident that he will have another sale in 2023, although it will be much smaller. While he’s downsizing, we get the feeling he isn’t quite finished in the purebred business. Indeed, the Jamison’s are probably as well known for their horses as they are the Herefords by now, and Gordon expressed that although they have had Herefords all of his life, he realizes that the breed is changing, and he proudly admits that he is “old school.” Their horse operation has grown dramatically, and this past

year saw his horse sale exceed the Hereford sale for the first time. His opinion on the ultimate herd for a commercial producer is to “have the Hereford Angus cross then have your black baldy cow herd then use Charolais as a terminal cross. It doesn’t get any better than that, and it takes all three breeds to get there,” Gordan says. When asked about the cattle business, Gordan spoke in a stronger voice “Cattlemen need to band together and do their thing,” But admits, “we’re not good at doing that.” Gordan likes what he sees as some independent processing plants are starting up in Missouri, the Dakotas, and Nebraska. Gordan started flipping through our latest issue and made a few comments on the ads he saw. He pointed out that it’s important to show “where your sale is, when it is, and what you’re selling.” If people have to do more work like visiting a website to find out information, they’re not likely to do that. He also added something that was told to him previously “Don’t give someone a reason not to come to your sale.” We spent almost an hour and a half talking with Gordan and never left his office. It also felt like we could have easily stayed another hour and a half, if not more. But we needed to get back on the road. Arriving in Denver a day earlier than initially planned on we were forced to stay in a hotel for the night. We found a nice lipstick on a pig place reasonably close to getting into the stock show the next day. Our first trip into the yards was on Wednesday afternoon, and we were immediately spotted by Lane Giess of DLCC Ranch (Pierz, MN) and currently residing in Fort Collins, CO. while working for the American Simmental Organization. Today, he’s clipping a few thousand cows and apparently being the unofficial greeter into the yards. That was a very nice start to the week; thanks, Lane! I’m amazed when I can recall someone’s name when I see them; I’m even more amazed when someone can recognize me. The best 16 days in January has been a well-used slogan. ‘There’s No Place Like Stock Show’ is this year’s slogan and entirely accurate. While most of the NWSS was familiar, there obviously had been some changes in the last two years. After getting our credentials Derek and I navigated through the expo hall and from the third-floor media department to the ground-floor stadium arena. I found myself lost getting there a few times and even more lost once I did reach the arena as it was noticeably quiet. It’s not that hard to get there, and on my last day, I could finally do it without second-guessing myself. I was shocked when I walked into the barn area “on the hill,” as it was sparsely populated. I knew numbers would be down this year, as rumors of a boycott of the state’s politics seemed to indicate. In addition, apparently we’re still in a pandemic. More people inside the buildings wearing masks than not – maybe 65-35, depending on what floor you’re on. “The Hill” and everything surrounding it was the same, familiar Stock Show. The Yard area is where everything changed. New buildings, some open and some under construction, and some just beginning construction. The yards are further away from where they used to be. This year there are golf cart shuttles to save a person the 5-minute walk to the new stockyard event center and the beginning of the stockyards themselves. We all knew the old wooden fences would be replaced with new steel structures. I wonder how many in attendance noticed the reclaimed wood on the new event center this year? I was also informed that they reused

the pavers from the old stockyards in front of the event center, though they looked pretty new. The event center is located approximately where the old stockyard arena was located. But it combines the arena and the sale ring (formerly at the beginning of the stockyards) under one roof. The new stockyards are fully powered, fully watered, and fully moveable. The pens can be configured for cattle displays or taken down for farmers’ markets, an outdoor concert, or anything else. As I said, I’m amazed when someone recognizes me. I haven’t been around long enough, nor do I generally stand out in a crowd. So when I ran into Chad Murnin of Bar Star Cattle (Musselshell, MT) in Oklahoma City, he asked first what I was doing down there as he usually only sees me in Montana or North Dakota. When we ran into him again in Denver, he thought Derek and I were stalking him, or maybe the other way around. I hadn’t attended Oklahoma last year, and all I could compare it to were Denver of years past. So, I was interested to find out Chad’s thoughts on the two shows. “Competition wise there’s no comparison, especially in the open show. The Cattlemen’s Congress numbers were there in droves compared to Denver. The barns were pretty much empty up on the hill, which was certainly disheartening. But the shows that were in Denver were extremely competitive. The sales in Oklahoma have done extremely well with high averages.” The facilities at both shows have their differences as well. Depending on what you’re looking for, each has some positive attributes. While the Cattlemen’s Congress was all in heated barns, they also had free parking, which was very plentiful. The yards in the Denver stock show are all open-air and exposed to the elements. Which, depending on the day, can be great or not so. This year we had a beautiful day in the high 60’s followed by a day in the low 40’s. But that’s Denver. Chad continues, “The new Denver facility is second to none. It’s outstanding. It definitely proves that the National Western didn’t abandon agriculture, and circumstances out of their control were the reasons why they shut down. Their commitment to agriculture has definitely shown through with all the improvements.” Probably the most noticeable (& since they even posted signs about it) No Generators – The Power is on us. Chad noted, “The pen show in Denver was a lot more conducive to do business, without having to hear a generator roar, than years before.” While OKC had more exhibitors, overall, the foot traffic in Denver was superior. Chad continues, “One thing that Denver provides is a platform to get in front of the public. OKC is essentially all cattle people, with very little public traffic.” So again, that could be a positive in either case, depending on what’s important to you. Actually it was Derek who said it best, “exhibitors were in Oklahoma and cattlemen were in Denver.” Well said, partner in crime. Regardless of the differences between the shows, the positives, and the negatives, “We shouldn’t

be in a cancelled culture environment in agriculture. We need to work together to make both events work. The challenge of having them almost overlap is a tough thing for a lot of breeders.”-Chad Murnin (Bar Star Cattle) I’m pretty sure we all need some healing of our own from the years past. We’ve probably all known someone to pass away before they were due. The pain of losing a loved one regardless of time spent with them is immense and sometimes crippling. I thought there was nothing worse than losing my granddaughter Callie in February 2021. It was easy to become bitter and hate the world we live in. Panic, fear, and anger seem to be spreading and dividing us all in more ways than we ever thought possible. But there are some lights of hope ahead. Chloe came and started healing a big hole in my entire family as I started with. The NWSS returned with some vast improvements and many more to come. 2021 saw things beginning to relax and get us back to a new normal. Perhaps in 2022, instead of spreading fear and resentment, we can all relax a bit more and show each other more love and compassion.