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In Touch With The West
ON the air
and
IN the air
February
Posted @ 5:59 pm by Evan
January was very busy and rewarding at the Evan Slack Network, wrapping up the month in Phoenix at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the American National Cattle Women and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board convention in the Arizona capitol. The mood pretty well fit under the banner of guarded optimism. We got a lot of good interviews from ranchers and feeders alike from across this great land.
And President Andy Groseta recognized us before a large livestock leaders and media reception for continuous coverage of NCBA over the last 50 years. Thanks Andy.
While in Phoenix I attended a media breakfast put on by Pfizer Animal Health and my good friend, Chuck Zimmerman, snapped a picture of me interviewing Dale Groteleuschen, DVM.
To Greeley for the Colorado Farm Show of which we have reported on since it’s inception 45 years ago. Lots of so called big iron, the latest from the various machinery manufactures including GPS steering and calibrating along with 250 other exhibits of interest to farmers and ranchers. This sandwiched in between PHOENIX and 16 days covering the world’s largest livestock show, the National Western. And here we were honored for our coverage over the last 50 years, missing only 2-days and that to Orlando for the AFBF Annual Meeting.
And as the 103 annual National Western Stock Show was starting, we attended the Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers Convention, followed by the Rocky Mountain Agri-business Convention (chemical & fertilizer dealers and reps).
The International Beef Conference afforded us the opportunity of several good interviews with industry leaders.
January 2009
Posted @ 6:13 pm by EvanHappy New Year, we hope this one is a terrific one for you. We’re getting set for the start of the 103rd Annual National Western Stock Show, this will be our 50th year covering the world’s largest livestock show that starts Saturday the 10th and runs through the 25th, to be followed by the Colorado Farm Show in Greeley,and we plan to round out the month in Phoneix covering our 50th National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention.
Compared to a year ago cattle prices are running 12 to 15-dollars a cwt. below a year ago. Input costs have been coming down compared to last summer.
Attending the Montana Grain Growers Convention in Great Falls and Colorado corn, sorghum, and wheat growers at Loveland last month we interviewed several producers saying ‘08 was one of the most challenging years with extreme price swings at the market place and input costs cut into there profit potential. We heard the same story at the Idaho Cattle Association Convention in Sun Valley. Our earlier travels took us to the several states where our 7-daily programs are aired.
Till next time, wishing you all the best in ‘09.
Out and about here in the West
Posted @ 6:32 pm by EvanOur recent travels have taken us to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Nevada.
We welcome two new broadcast partners here in the Silver State. We’re writing this post in Winnemucca, where we have been covering the Superior Livestock Video auction of feeder cattle and calves. Up-linking our 7-daily programs to EvanSlack.com (net).
Prices for calves are ranging from 5 to 10-dollars below a year ago with yearlings from 4 to 7-dollars a cwt. under 2007. Feeders are experiencing dramatically higher input costs. As they are paying a good more for feed and fuel. Sound familiar?
The wheat harvest turned out better than expected. At the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Summer Conference we heard repeatedly about higher input costs and the hope for higher finished cattle prices.
We did take time out from our busy schedule to see and enjoy the Magic Valley Air Show at Twin Falls, featuring the Blue Angels with two of the six pilots being Marines. I was in 3rd Marine Air Wing back in the 50’s.
And this was our 50th year at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
All the best to you,
Evan
Cattle Industry Conference
Posted @ 9:09 am by Evan
The Cattle Industry Summer Conference was held in Denver and I was there once again.
Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media, is the guy who helped me put this website together. He was also at the conference and snapped this photo of me doing an interview prior to the board meeting of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. That’s Jennifer Ellis, Idaho Cattle Association President.
You can count of hearing audio from my interviews in coming days.
Out and About in Nashville & Reno
Posted @ 6:06 pm by EvanLast week in Nashville covering the Commodity Classic, a combination of Corn, Soybean and Wheat Growers the talk was two 4-letter words “farm bill”. Three weeks earlier in Reno at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention conversations centered around one 4-letter word “corn”.
The higher, higher price for corn has doubled in the last year and it has gotten the attention of livestock
feeders and also the cow-calf producer. As you talk with corn growers they don’t hesitate in reminding you they have been subsidizing the livestock industry with low priced, $2 corn in past years.
Yes, input costs have climbed considerably for corn growers. With record high prices for corn, soybeans and wheat, producers are enjoying the ride, but are concerned about what might happen down the road. And they are pushing for completion of the ‘07 Farm Bill with some level of price protection. This is something we don’t count on when we bred our cows. Corn growers want some price assurance before they plant, even with a booming market thanks mostly to rapidly increased usage and acceptance of ethanol.
As we say here in the West, “hang on to the saddle horn”.
January ‘08
Posted @ 10:19 am by EvanLast month was a rewarding, refreshing and revitalizing, what with the Colorado Farm Show in Greeley, where we made new friends and renewed old acquaintances. We recorded many interviews on our Marantz 660 for airing over the Evan Slack Network.
And met with Colorado Corn Growers, some of which plan to attend the Commodity Classic in Nashville later this month. While corn growers are enjoying higher prices, they are paying more for fertilizer and other inputs.
This was our 49th year covering the National Western Stock Show, missing only 2-days to attend the AFBF annual meeting.
The Denver setting saw 18 beef breeds being shown with over 2/3’s holding national auction’s. Noteably higher prices paid for Angus, Hereford and Simmental bulls. Also at the NWSS Bison, Yak, Longhorns, draft horses, mules. International sheep shearing contest, wool show, junior livestock show and sale, and PRCA Rodeo.
Our listening family was upbeat as they looked forward to the New Year.
Earlier, last month we attended the Rocky Mountain Agri-Business Assn. annual meeting and the Dry Edible Bean get-together.
We’re headed to Reno next week for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American National Cattlewomen’s Conventions and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board
meeting.
Tune us in on your neighborhood Radio Station.
Thanks.
Evan
Posted @ 6:13 pm by Evan
Happy New Year and looking back on 2007 it was an exceptional year for grain growers, especially with record high prices for wheat, corn and soybeans. Dry edible bean producers saw advancing prices as we closed out last year.
Oh yes, production costs continue to climb, especially fuel and fertilizer and the overriding question can we get enough nitrogen to grow this year’s crops.
And while the livestock sector didn’t fare as well as grain growers in that we tend to live of each other i.e. the higher, higher corn market has weighed on the cost of finishing cattle and hogs. With that said, I note steers and heifers coming out of the feedlots are starting the New Year 6 to 8 dollars above a year ago, and plus $10 cwt. in the beef here in CO, KS, NE, OK & TX.
Tomorrow, will be our first day “out and about” at the Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association’s 56th Annual Convention & Trade Show.
Later this week we will be reporting on the Superior Livestock Video Auction, and the Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers Association Annual Meeting.
Saturday, the curtain goes up on the National Western Stock Show which runs through January 27. 16 days packed with 23 performances of the PRCA Rodeo. A tremendous Horse Show. Junior Livestock Show & Sale. And open class competition featuring 19 Beef Breeds, with most conducting an Auction. And down in the Yards carloads and pens of 3 show, which is what makes the Denver show special.
This will be my 49th year covering the World’s Largest Livestock Show which has gone from 9 to 16 days several years ago, I’ve missed only 2-days down thru the years.
And we plan to round out this month in Greeley covering the Colorado Farm Show.
We appreciate the opportunity of talking about the people on the land, who help make for the good life for all the rest of us.
Wishing you all the best in 2008.
Evan
Captain Evan Slack
Posted @ 2:43 pm by Evan
Evan asked that I post this for him. It’s Chuck again. Evan was gracious enough to fly me to Kansas City from Denver after the Cattle Industry Summer Conference.
We ran around some clouds and “weather” on the way to Kansas City. One of the choices as we got near Salina, KS was north or south. We went south and it was the right decision. I think that’s an experienced pilot’s instinct kicking in.
One thing is for sure. You get a much better view than on a commercial airline. You also get to help out the pilot when he needs something from the back seat. While we were winding through the clouds I made a short video clip.
I didn’t think you wanted to hear the engine noise so I added a part of one of Evan’s interviews he did at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference from his Friday midday show.
Working at the Cattle Conference
Posted @ 3:34 pm by Evan
Hello from the Cattle Industry Summer Conference taking place right here in Denver.
This is Chuck Zimmerman showing Evan how to place pictures in his posts here on his website. You can figure out which of us is which.
Today there’s a lot of committee meetings going on here of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Tomorrow they’ll have their board meetings and we’ll both be here. I’m sure you’ll be able to hear Evan talk about it in his shows over the coming days.
2nd Half ‘07
Posted @ 2:45 pm by EvanHope you had a great 4th of July. We celebrated with some Independence Day flavor during our 5-daily programs. The wheat harvest has moved northward into Kansas and Colorado with above average yields in Western Kansas and Southeastern Colorado being reported.
Meanwhile, pasture and range conditions are greatly improved over last year from Colorado to Montana, while in the Great Basin of Utah, and westward to Nevada have detoriated immensly. Oregon and Idaho grazing conditions are well below the ‘06 season.
We’ve been out and about recently covering the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association annual Convention in Steamboat Springs and the Idaho Cattle Association mid-year meeting 45 miles south of Twin Falls at Jackpot, where my cows and calves were enjoing some good grazing and from there into Montana & Wyoming. Among the many topics discussed was the high price of corn, and it’s impact on prices f9r feeder cattle. We’ll be hearing lots more at the National Cattlemen’s Association mid-year meeting in Denver July 16-20. In the meantime we’re headed back to the high country at Steamboat Springs for the Superior Livestock Video Auction of 330,000 cattle and calves.
Tis’ a busy season here at the Evan Slack Network.
Till next time, here’s wishing you “the top of the market.”