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Dispatches From Drought-Stricken America: A Day Spent With Oklahoma Farmers

Aug. 23, 2012 9:29am
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This is part one of a series TheBlaze is doing on drought-stricken America. Stay tuned for additional stories

–

Blaze Visits With Drought Stricken Farmers in Oklahoma

(Photo: Mark Mabry/TheBlaze)

Western Oklahoma is a sea of dirty white trucks with “cow-catchers” on the front. Jerry waited for me in his truck outside of Walmart in Guymon, Oklahoma. The big Ford wasn’t dirty yet, it just had dirt inside of it — seemed natural.

On the way out to pick up Garland, another farmer, also in Texas County, Jerry and I talked politics and trucks.

“When I first got this truck my Sirius XM subscription died. I called to get it renewed and some little girl from the city, probably New York or something, was the operator.”

He chuckled.

“She asked me for a password and I said ‘farmer’. She kind of laughed and asked me ‘why farmer?’ I told her that is what I am. A farmer.”

Jerry looked over at me in the passenger seat and at my six-year old daughter, Ava, who was sitting in back of the cab. He continued.

“The girl was a little perplexed, she said, ‘I didn’t know people still did that’.”

“Where do you think your food comes from?” Jerry asked her. Jerry half smiled when he shared the operator’s answer. “The store.”

Blaze Visits With Drought Stricken Farmers in Oklahoma

Jerry (Photo: Mark Mabry/TheBlaze)

We parked in front of the local Baptist Church and waited for Garland. The church was big and red, obviously built in the last decade. They just put a new metal roof on it. Ava lept from the truck to show us cartwheels in the green front lawn of the church. Only 30 minutes prior, before we joined Jerry in his truck, Ava emerged from the back seat of our rental car, after her second consecutive viewing of “Soul Surfer” to make an observation.

“It’s green dad. You tricked me.”

“I didn’t trick you.”

“Dad, look right there. Green. Look behind us. Green. Look right there… Grass, it’s right there.” Very staccato this time. “It is perfectly green. Look at the trees.”

I was at a loss. “What about that yellow?” I asked, pointing to another field.

“They just don’t water their plants,” she said with incredulity. “They just don’t have a hose, right? …the stores have buckets, the stores have hoses.”

I offered up a half-serious prayer in my head. “Oh please, don’t let her say this to the farmers and ranchers” who were less than 2 minutes away at the time.

–

My kids alternate trips with me when I’m able to drive. I was beginning to question my parenting strategy of advertising her trip to the drought as the “best trip of the year.”

Once Garland joined us we headed toward the edge of town to tour another friend’s, Dennis’s, farm. Alternating dirt and paved roads we talked farming and ranching. Jerry and Garland shared some of the economics of farming in Texas County, Oklahoma. Numbers will vary from region to region, but Texas County is among the highest grossing counties of all seventy-seven counties in Oklahoma in terms of agriculture.

    • In a regular year, corn sells for $5-$6 per bushel. A good acre yields between 180-200 bushels. So an acre in a regular year might gross between $900-$1200 in a season.
    • Their cost of water, herbicide, seed, and fertilizer is right around $800 per acre per season. If the farmer is renting the land, it’s more. Labor is more. Equipment purchases and depreciation also add to the cost. A tractor with requisite horsepower to work a big farm can cost over $250,000. A combine is about $250,000 as well.

We drove by a field with about 25 head of cattle, who were all nosing through the thistle.

“It looks like they’re all eating dirt,” I observed. Brilliant.

Blaze Visits With Drought Stricken Farmers in Oklahoma

Garland (Photo: Mark Mabry/TheBlaze)

I had the growing sensation throughout our time together that my chosen lifestyle had rendered me somewhat out of touch with reality. My boots came up only to about mid ankle. My jeans were Lucky Brand. I pulled up in a red Kia Soul — a rental car, but embarrassing nonetheless. And to top it all off, I had a sinking feeling that my daughter was going to say something any minute that completely outed me as a failed father in front of two really nice guys. Guys whose kids, although grown now, probably said “yes ma’am and yes sir” and who probably ate dinner with them around an actual table where they passed things to each other and talk about their day.

We continued down the dirt road toward the farm, waving at Dennis’s wife and her friend out for a walk, and I learned about ranching in Texas County.

  • A cow typically grazes 10-15 acres worth of food in a regular season.
  • A man in Texas County just reported that this year, he is only able to support 25 head of cattle on his 1400 acre ranch. 56 acres each.

“That really means that many people are just having to get rid of their cattle,” explained Garland.

We pulled up to Dennis’s farm, known as a “dry farm” because he operates from a well and rain water as opposed to irrigation. Dennis is tall and friendly and wears a cowboy hat. We walked over to the edge of his wheat field and watched the sunset, the whole way down. Ava wastes no time exposing the lessons I’ve skipped as a dad.

“Oh, look. Kittens!” She bent down to pick one up. So did Jerry.

“Are these kittens for free?”

“No, I need those kittens around the farm,” Dennis explained. Ava looked up, puzzled. “Those are my mouse traps,” he continued. She looked at me for clarification.

“Cats catch mice honey,” I shrugged at the guys. I had six years to cover that and she got it on the farm in about 5 minutes. She grabbed Dennis’s hand and pulled him to the corral.

“Can I pet the bull?”

“Oh, I don’t see why not honey.” They hopped the metal fence and approached a resting bull and began to pet his side. I hopped the fence next and reached out my hand to pet the bulls forehead. Oops. The snort startled me, but it was the force of head flip that sent me back a few steps.

“Daddy must not have heard when we said not to pet his head,” Dennis explained to Ava. She pursed her lips and tried not to laugh. They finished petting the bull and chasing a baby calf. Dennis also explained that, “stepping on poop” is part of living on a farm. Ava, who potty trained herself at 18 months- out of disgust, didn’t seem to mind the cow poop how Dennis explained it.

Blaze Visits With Drought Stricken Farmers in Oklahoma

Jerry and Ava (Photo: Mark Mabry/TheBlaze)

We stood by the old metal swing set while Jerry pushed Ava on a rope swing. The moon was rising now. Big stars were starting to appear.

I looked at the three farmers. “This drought isn’t like a tornado or a hurricane, where people can come and help you rebuild or bring you food. I don’t think American’s know what to do to help you. What can we do to help?”

Dennis shifted his weight and exhaled through his nose.

“Well, you know a drought is cured with rain. And of course the problems that come up with a drought, theres lots of ‘em. I don’t know. I hesitate to prescribe an answer to the public.” For the first time that night, Dennis seemed at a loss for words. He was quieter now.

He continued, “You know, it tests people’s character. Uh, plainly said,” he wanted to say something but couldn’t. He pressed forward, “Plainly spoken from a person of faith, I’d say the best thing America could do would be to be a good neighbor and pray for rain.”

He paused.

“But I don’t know that America does much praying any more.”

“You know one thing that’s different around here, then in places where people that get rain every day,” Jerry said wistfully, “is that if it does rain, I mean, you can’t imagine how we appreciate the smell of a good rain. You go out and dig a little bit just to smell that moist top soil.”

Garland added, “I just stand out on the back porch and watch it rain.”

“The forecast looks like it called for it later this week though, right?” I added.

They chuckled, and Dennis answered, “Yeah, it usually calls for it ‘bout once a week.”

Comments (67)

1 2
  • blair152
    Posted on August 25, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Pray for rain.

    Report this comment

    blair152  
  • Jenasus
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:33pm

    Looking at the Sun is hard to do now because of the nano particles of aluminum refracturing the sun light. It is like looking at a chrome bumper when the sun is reflecting off it.
    Earler this year I was looking at the Sun and I saw what looked like a minature sun circling the Sun that had a trail of molten fire following it like a comet.
    The Sun is very hot this year and alot of radiation is reaching planet Earth. You can feel the radiation from inside your body.
    If you squeeze the juice from an orange all over your body and in your **** it will help to protect you.

    Report this comment

    Jenasus  
  • Jenasus
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 9:57pm

    The drought is caused by nano particles of aluminum released into the atmosphere from chem trails.
    After the crops fail the government willl release the black plague, which they have made ten times worse than the original plague, to control the over population of the world.
    Than Obama will declare Martial Law and send people to FEMA concentration camps.
    GOD is wacthing. He knows all there is to know. Now more than ever we the people need to get back to our belief in GOD and pray for our salvation.
    GOD blessed America but Obama is cursing America. Obama needs to leave America and take his curse with him. Obama is a spawn of Lucifer.

    Report this comment

    Jenasus  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on August 24, 2012 at 6:26am

      Are you serious?

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
    • Followtheway
      Posted on August 25, 2012 at 12:09pm

      I can believe it in a heartbeat!

      Report this comment

      Followtheway  
    • boyd9
      Posted on August 25, 2012 at 1:48pm

      Obama is not the Spawn of Lucifer, he is the Spawn of Karl Marx. There is probably a difference but everywhere that Marx doctrine has been implemented freedom is destroyed and people suffer from poverty so I am not exactly sure what the difference is.

      Report this comment

      boyd9  
    • moonstruck2
      Posted on August 25, 2012 at 4:51pm

      Sorry Fella’ President Obama has nothing to do with this! Amrica Is Being destoyed from within. drought,unusual rainfall,west nile virus the return of diseases that you thought were erradicated,rampant adultery,fornication lesbianism and homosexuality. Lets put the cause of all this where it belongs, and you can charge God all you want, america’s time has finally come… Just as it came for Babylon,Rome, and all the rest of those Arrogant Nations that rose and then fell!!!

      Report this comment

      moonstruck2  
  • HotFixIt
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 8:57pm

    I live in Wext Texas and the drought is now into its second year.. we have finally had rain 4 times this year… it has been amazing to stand in front of my home and watch… and see my neighbors also standing in their driveways also watching the rain. Rain is an event to marvel at and enjoy as much as a football game. Last winter during a hockey game when a potential storm was moving our direction you should have seen how many had their noses in their smart phones watching the storm movement instead of the game! First drop of rain… many were out the doors!

    Report this comment

    HotFixIt  
  • ImChiquita
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 7:49pm

    Funny how seventy years later, we’re in another severe drought….entering a depression….with the worst people in government running our country…..

    Report this comment

    ImChiquita  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on August 24, 2012 at 12:14pm

      Apparently we’re doomed to repeat it.

      Report this comment

      4xeverything  
    • mjensen38
      Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:17am

      So you’re saying that we need another Franklin Delano Roosevelt to bring us out of this? Because that’s what worked the last time. FDR understood that a great deal of government intervention would be necessary to bring our country out of the Great Depression. Obama understands this also, but unfortunately we have a do-nothing, Republican-controlled Congress that would rather see Obama fail than do anything to help our country.

      Report this comment

      mjensen38  
    • Stephen Markovich
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:55pm

      Grapes of wrath

      Report this comment

      Stephen Markovich  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 6:37pm

    Dear God, Creator of heaven and earth, hear our cries for these who are suffering so because of the drought and the economy…we beseech You to send rain that these Americans may know relief of heart as well as relief of soul…forgive us as a nation for not loving You first, in Jesus Name, amen.

    Report this comment

    TEARS FOR AMERICA  
    • Texunchief
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:08pm

      Amen!

      Report this comment

      Texunchief  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:20pm

      @TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 6:37pm

      Dear God, Creator of heaven and earth, hear our cries for these who are suffering so because of the drought and the economy…we beseech You to send rain that these Americans may know relief of heart as well as relief of soul…forgive us as a nation for not loving You first, in Jesus Name, amen.
      ****
      Lord, please add my prayers, we take so much for granted in the good years. Now as our farmers are so nearly being driven from farming, please hold them up and keep them, please send rain, and send Thy protection to Thy people everywhere. Though we’re not worthy, in Jesus name we pray for Thy mercy, guidance and protection.

      Report this comment

      Mil Mom  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on August 24, 2012 at 12:16pm

      Amen Amen Amen Amen

      Report this comment

      4xeverything  
    • moonstruck2
      Posted on August 25, 2012 at 5:00pm

      Jesus dont have anything to do with this! America is now beginning to reap what she has sown all over the world and its only because you have shown yourselves to be true enemies of God! So, brace yourselves the worst is yet to come!!

      Report this comment

      moonstruck2  
  • universalphilos
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 6:25pm

    A prophecy, July 10, 1987: “We say unto you that this time shall be as a dividing time, that the [Lord’s] great Sword shall strike both land and land masses, and people. And those who should be straight with God shall go one way, and those who shall not be straight with God shall go another. And the land and the land masses, where water flowed no water shall flow. Where no water flowed water shall flow. The land shall come apart, and yet, be born again. [See The Revelation, ch. 19.]
    The beginning shall begin now. You shall come together to celebrate this time. Some shall come in fear, and yet it is not a time of fear. It is a time of greatness. It has been said that you look at the clouds and you know that you have a time for planting. You look at the seasons and you know the time it is. Yet now, we say unto you, now is the time for the harvest of the soul and the spirit.
    Can you not see it? Have we not told you so?” [See Mark, chapter 13.]
    For we say unto you, the greatness and the greatest of all things shall become upon your Earth once again. This time you shall know, and there shall be no doubt in the minds of the doubter.” [See John 20:24-31.]
    But approach it in a peaceful manner. Approach it in a manner of prayer, of dignity. Give it the dignity [that] it deserves.”

    Report this comment

    universalphilos  
  • rileyadamvoth
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 4:29pm

    Good subject matter. Good content. Good writing! This article hits home… literally. Dennis is my father (and his picture is mislabeled as Jerry in this article – haha). This is a great job of capturing the feel of things in such a short post. I’m grown and married now, living away from the farm, but I appreciate it so much!

    It’s a hard working, low return kind of life with little appreciation or even acknowledgement, but the people that live there work hard and love hard. The kind of people that once built such a great nation – long ago. Thanks for giving it the time and concern!

    My dad’s answer is right – without the foundation of Christ’s love and the standard of God’s Word guiding us, what do we have no matter how “good” or “blessed” our nation may or may not be economically. It’s all downhill without it – one way or another. Don’t let it be a discouragement. Let it be an inspiration. Pray. God does care. …and take a trip out to a farm and ranch! They’re the best hosts in the world! :)

    Report this comment

    rileyadamvoth  
    • TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 6:40pm

      Awesome to meet you on the Blaze and pray Godspeed for not only you, but your Dad and family…what an inspiration and testimony of faith…

      Report this comment

      TEARS FOR AMERICA  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:30pm

      @My dad’s answer is right – without the foundation of Christ‘s love and the standard of God’s Word guiding us, what do we have no matter how “good” or “blessed” our nation may or may not be economically. It’s all downhill without it – one way or another. Don’t let it be a discouragement. Let it be an inspiration. Pray. God does care. …and take a trip out to a farm and ranch! They’re the best hosts in the world! :)
      ***
      Thank your dad for sharing his story with us. I too grew up on a farm, then married a farmer. After his dad died his mom sold the farm and he became a dislocated farmer, with it always in his heart. We raised a few animals but it was never the same. Even a garden helps you to get back to that original closeness a farmer has with the Creator, Who MUST supply the blessings if the crops are to make it. Too many kids have no realization of planting, watering, fertilizing, tilling, and then harvesting, before food can come to those store shelves, and the farmer gets sooooo little of the price that’s paid for the food! May God protect and supply.

      Report this comment

      Mil Mom  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on August 24, 2012 at 6:38am

      @ Riley

      I worked in West Oklahoma for a while (Mountain View, Gotebo, Hobart, and the surrounding area) and I agree. The farmers and ranchers were some of the nicest people that I’ve met. Actually I have to include farmers and ranchers in all the states that I went to.

      I hope that your family gets through this ok.

      Pass on the very best wishes to your family and their neighbours from me – and everybody else here at the Blaze, I’m sure.

      Report this comment

      nzkiwi  
  • mizzouwendy
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 3:33pm

    I live in Missouri, my family farms, corn, soybeans and wheat. This is a horrible drought that will affect everything, especially food prices, and people don’t have a clue.

    Report this comment

    mizzouwendy  
  • AxelPhantom
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 12:55pm

    We (my husband and I) are what under Texas terms are called “hobby farmers”. We have an orchard of about 150 pecan trees which we tend and sell, a couple of acres of grain/veg. crops, a horse or two, dogs, cats and chickens. My paternal grandparents were depression era “real” farmers. I never met them. The farm was sold off piece by piece in the 30’s to pay the rising government’s taxes on the remaining land where the house stood. When Grandpa died, the inheritance tax forced the family to sell.

    As an adult, I did the city thing, the suburb thing until I saw what that lifestyle was doing to my children; there was never peace, no place to rest the eyes or the soul.

    In the country, each day you awaken not to the reminders of the creations of man; lawnmowers, cars zipping to work on a busy highway, or sounds of children playing on paved over or manicured ground. Instead, I awaken to the sway of the trees, the warming sun on my face, the song of birds, hungry livestock and the vision out the kitchen window that reminds me that I am small and God is great.

    No, Mr. President, your cronies in Washington did not build this but you sure as sh— have played a role in destroying it! It is by the Grace of God, Nature’s Laws, the blood of patriots, the sweat of our browbrows and the freedom from the shackles of governance that farming is possible. This is not “fly-over” country it is God’s country!

    Report this comment

    AxelPhantom  
  • Man-On-A-Mission
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:54am

    Our great President is trying to help the farmers, but the dumb Republican’s will not sign the FARM bill to help them out. It would look to good for the President, so they will let thousands of farmers go down the drain over politics….

    Why to go GOP….the party of obstruction and JUST SAY NO!!!!!!

    Report this comment

    Man-On-A-Mission  
    • jblaze
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 12:08pm

      You would be very wise to READ the BILL and get expert advice on the full implications of what is in the bill before you make a judgement against the GOP.

      Report this comment

      jblaze  
    • jblaze
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 12:17pm

      And also, your great president cannot make it rain in due season, cannot cause the sun to shine. He is only a man. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer. 17:9
      Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:3-5

      Report this comment

      jblaze  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 1:30pm

      I’d rather have water. Hard work takes care of the rest.

      A Nebraskan by choice not birth.

      Report this comment

      Dismayed Veteran  
    • mizzouwendy
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 3:26pm

      Most of the Farm Bill is about food stamps……look it up.

      Report this comment

      mizzouwendy  
    • Bernice Durdan-Rowland
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 8:32pm

      Obama signs an “executive order” for hundreds of other things, why doesn’t he sign one for the drought – well, he is usually blaming everyone else when he gets a chance – this is one that he won’t miss – - yes, get those Republicans !!
      I grew up on a family farm – we know how vitally important it is to have water and plenty of pasture. Our hearts to out to you with the drought stricken environment and are saddened by it. Our prayers go out to you. God, we put our trust in you, please send rain, in Jesus name, we pray…..

      Report this comment

      Bernice Durdan-Rowland  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:40pm

      @Man-On-A-Mission
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:54am

      Our great President is trying to help the farmers, but the dumb Republican’s will not sign the FARM bill to help them out. It would look to good for the President, so they will let thousands of farmers go down the drain over politics….

      Why to go GOP….the party of obstruction and JUST SAY NO!!!!!!
      ****
      Are you aware that 3 different b o appointees in the last year have added to their departments regulations, the fact farm children cannot help out on the farm even filling water troughs (Even with their own fair projects.), that no one can drive farm equipment on the farm or road unless they have a CDL license with accompanying Commercial Insurance? These regulations would put ALL family and small farmers out of business, since family members and teens could no longer help out in the fields, or take crops to market. Each time the American Farm Bureau brings the regulations to GOP they repeal the regulations and the cabal says, “Oops, don’t know how that got in there!”

      Report this comment

      Mil Mom  
    • boyd9
      Posted on August 25, 2012 at 1:29pm

      Man on a mission, please pull your head from your rectum and become a man in possession of facts. IN FACT, the REPUBLICANS in congress have passed the farm act, it is the DEMOCRATS in the senate who will not act. As usual, the Democrats in the senate will not pass anything, including a budget which is required of them by law. It is all so uninformed people like you will believe the lies that President Obama and his minions are spreading about a do nothing congress. It is a do nothing Senate and Harry Reid is President Obama’s puppet and does nothing without Obama pulling his strings.
      God Bless the people in this country who work or want to work for a living, especially the farmers who are in need of rain.

      Report this comment

      boyd9  
  • mrmrsdaadams
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:31am

    Thank you for reminding me to pray for rain. I am one of those blessed to see green grass around and forget about those really suffering.

    Report this comment

    mrmrsdaadams  
    • jblaze
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 12:06pm

      And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: Lev. 26:19
      When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 1 Kings 8:35
      And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. Amos 4:7

      Report this comment

      jblaze  
    • turkey13
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 12:07pm

      Here in S Oklahoma we had the worst last year and got spring rains but that dried up in April. All the grass is dead and hay is going out of sight. Some folks still have their cattle but my sons sold out last year. All my neighbors close to me sold out this spring as we went into drought mode again. My sons leased their pasture to a neighbor for $12,000 and leased the hunting rights for $10,000 to 4 lawyers. They signed up for the CRP – (we call it CRAP) program where the government pays you not to farm. This is probably a good deal because no one will be able to buy seed corn. If we don’t eat it we will burn it in our cars.Four months ago my sons signed up under another Agriculture program to bull doze and clear the trees for pasture land. Tree huggers would go nuts if they knew the programs Obama gas come up with.For the first time in the last 5 years my sons will make money and have to pay taxes on the farm. This is also giving them more time to run their construction company.

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
  • txannie
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:28am

    When the cities finally figure out that without the “stupid farmers” the stores where they get everything will be empty it will be too late for them. Take diesel prices. Idiot congressman tells the truckers asking them for relief from high prices to they can at least make a living that they don’t need relief, goods can be sent by rail. It all starts with the farmer. Diesel tractor planting, praying for water at the right time and enough, diesel harvester, diesel truck to take crop to processor, diesel truck to take processed foods to store. No rain, no crops. No crops, no food for the nation….and MOST people do not get it. They think they have magic stores. The stores just fill up all by themselves. No animals slaughtered for their steak. No problem getting produce to store….magic…Just a bunch of stupid red-neck hicks trying to tell us smart, educated liberals what we aught to do….Better start praying folks. We really need tons of prayer.

    Report this comment

    txannie  
  • Greyowl
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:14am

    Just want the good folks of Oklahoma to know I am praying for all of you to receive much needed rain.

    Report this comment

    Greyowl  
  • Davent
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:13am

    Please GOD, let it rain in the midwest and end this drought. Please GOD, save America. I know there is still a lot of good here. Please GOD, please help us. Amen

    Report this comment

    Davent  
  • carolewash
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:07am

    This is a good example of why we need to stop burning our food. Ethinol is not nesseccary to make gas to run our economy. Our government needs to get out of the farming business. They don’t have a clue. Obama saying make ethinol and raise the price of beef is stupid. Cattle prices went from $1.50 per pound to $.80 per pound in a few weeks. If they kill off all of the beef then raiseing prices is not going to make a difference. We won’t see a price change in the store but the ranchers sure have.

    Report this comment

    carolewash  
    • txannie
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:41am

      Where are you buying your cattle? I want to go and get some. Here in Texas, because of the drought, cattle prices are up to the neighborhood of $2.00 a lb. I know, I just sold ALL, except my two best cows and my bull to buy fodder so I can make it through the rest of the year and hopefully the winter until the grass grows next year, IF the drought breaks. Corn and oats to feed is incredibly high for cattle, horses, chickens….ALL of the animals that need feed. But, yes, you speak the truth and I appreciate it that SOMEONE understands that the gov needs to get out of the farmers business. Diesel is a cheap by-product of the manufacture of gasoline, yet it is more expensive now because it is used by almost every industry involved in the production and delivery of food to stores everywhere. After 30 years of farming/ranching we are actually beginning to worry we might not be able to pass this on to the grandchildren. Scary stuff not knowing if our country is going to be able to feed itself because of gov regulations strangling already strained farmers and ranchers AND hard working people just trying to make ends meet. Truckers can’t make a profit because of high diesel prices…the working poor can’t make ends meet because of gov taking so much to give to those that don’t want to work. Now, you don’t even need to be looking for a job to get gov benefits…a presidential fiat…incredible.

      Report this comment

      txannie  
    • carolewash
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Eastern Washington State. I was talking to a friend who has cattle and what they have come up against in pricing.

      Report this comment

      carolewash  
  • Frodo RinosBane
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:02am

    Our prayers are with you!

    Report this comment

    Frodo RinosBane  
  • sbgardner
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:00am

    What I really loved about this article was how your daughter played into the story. It really drove home the point that we (city-folk) dont get it. I grew up on a farm, and alternated winter/summer between my two grandparents. One set were cattle ranchers, and the other “dirt-farmers” (they called themselves that). You did a great job painting the picture of what was going on, and fantastic job showing the contrast between the drought and the rest of America. Going to pet the bull, -what a powerful image, and a brave daughter you have. I was taught to never go near them. There is hope.

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    sbgardner  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:43am

    This nation like Israel receives its great blessings and abundance from God who causes it to rain where he likes or doesn’t. Its in the Bible! We are a wayward people from and away from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He promises to bless the obediant and righteous and to scourge the wicked. He’s calling us back and warned us with 911. We snubbed our noses and said we would rebuild with stronger materials. This happened to Israel as well when they suffered a temporary attack and slight devastation. They snubbed their noses and then lost their lands altogether because they would not turn back to him.

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    ChiefGeorge  
  • Intense66
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:39am

    I live in western OK…it’s been terrible here for the last two years, no rain. And he was right, we have a chance of rain ’bout once a week, but it just never happens. Then to add insult to injury, the heat, the unbearable heat, 100 to 110 for days on end. This week has been pretty nice though, only in the 80s and 90s and we did get a little rain the other night but it will need to rain non-stop for a solid week to put a dent in this drought. Out here, we pray every day for rain and hope those around us do as well… Keep all suffering from this in your prayers please, for the livelihood of our farmers and ranchers!

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    Intense66  
    • ImChiquita
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 7:46pm

      Isn’t it pathetic when we get excited that the day’s “highs” are in the 80s or 90s?

      The LAST time it rained (a week and a half ago?), I had washed my car, and so did my neighbor. Maybe we should get the rest of the state to wash our cars every day for a week…..just to see if God’s laughter will send the rain again.

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      ImChiquita  
  • TeresaJ
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:18am

    All of the education at all of the liberal colleges across the nation will not mean didily if there is no food or water.

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    TeresaJ  
  • pdw
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:13am

    Nice post, thanks. I can remember when I was growing up how they use to say city folk thought you had to pump a cows tail to get milk so I understand how she just did not understand how to farm or why. The best education is to be involved with life as it is one of the best teachers in the world. I also believe we do not pray enough unless something really bad happens to ourselves. We need posts like this to wake us up to the facts of life. I believe everyone who has the space to plant a garden, be it flowers or vegetables. They need to get the feel of what it is like to be able to plant and enjoy watching them grow. It is always a learning process we need to teach a little more about life and how fragile life is. How to raise a garden to feed ourselves and others may just be the only way we will have food if our government keeps destroying our farms by all their laws they enjoy passing without any thought of the consequences they bring on our farmers.

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    pdw  
  • momrules
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:07am

    “But I don’t know that America does much praying anymore.”………..How true and how sad that one sentence is.
    If this country is going to survive we as a Nation have to return to God. As I read the news from around the country, as I see the militant atheists winning every court case against Christianity, the acceptance of deviance and abortion and as I watch a godless President determined to turn our country into a communist state I wonder………….Is it too late?

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    momrules  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:12am

      And this happens because of our lack of prayer for us to not lack prayer.

      That is the BIG question … is it to late ? A pastor friend of mine always likes to remind of the always availible mercy of God. With God.. no so … for us … to late, as I listen to the radio speak of huge amounts of money going to Egypt. LORD have mercy.

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      4truth2all  
  • Carol1955
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:01am

    Finally an agricultural article that captures some reality. He actually talked to farmers and ranchers! Please don’t ruin it by posting inane and ignorant comments about the industry if you don’t know squat about it. Try just supporting those who have dedicated their lives to the production of our food and don’t miss the point that most producers would appreciate your prayers.

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    Carol1955  
    • txannie
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 11:51am

      @carol1955…I am a farmer/rancher and there is a whole lot more than just needing rain to keeping food on your table. I appreciate any and all prayer, but it goes beyond just praying for rain. We need to pray for America. The America that they are trying to create is going to be full of misery and hunger if we don’t start praying the right people are put in the right places to correct the problems we have now. Example…A farm with an abundance of grass bales cannot sent the extra to a needy area because they cannot afford the diesel to fill the truck it takes to take it to the needy. The bales sit in thier field and rot. Why? We need a whole lot of prayer for every aspect of America to get her back on the right track. I’m praying, will you join me?

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      txannie  
  • shogun459
    Posted on August 23, 2012 at 9:49am

    the real HUNGER GAMES.

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    shogun459  
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