I hope your summers have gone well so far. It’s been very pleasant in Wisconsin. We haven’t had our A/C on for nearly two weeks. Good growing hair summer and the rains have been timely. I think the corn and beans could use more heat.

County Fairs are in full swing and we will start on State Fair cattle next week. Again, the weather was sure in our favor.

We weaned some show heifers that will be in our sale this fall.

We have a clinic in Waukon, IA Saturday Aug 1st. At the last clinic we experienced a great bunch of kids this summer at various clinics.

Good luck to all exhibitors and your families at your State Fairs!

Had a really nice week weather wise. Brock’s steers have been able to go out earlier than a normal summer night.

Finished up with our custom embryo implant on the 4th and got the bulls out. It’s a nice job to have finished.

Now we are working on a couple families’ County Fair Steers for the week. Summer is going by pretty fast!

Went to Iowa last week and looked at our embryo heifers calves. I’m hopeful we’ve got some real nice show heifers for this fall.

Good Luck to all with your County and State Fair projects.

Just completed the VIP Event in St. Louis. I thought it went very well. We had a lot of input and met some very interesting folks. I really enjoyed being around all the Ambassadors again. They bring a load of knowledge to the table. I especially like working with the Purina folks. The past year has been very rewarding for me. I enjoy working with a lot of young people, and I’m looking forward to the next year.

We are trying to finish up putting in embryos here. Good thing, because it’s starting to get pretty hot and humid, but we’re getting some nice rain as well.

Just finished our 2009 Maine Jr. Nationals in Murfreesboro, TN. Brock’s team won the Intermediated division for fitting and Lauren’s team finished 2nd in the Jr. Division. Both really enjoyed the event and are looking forward to participating again next year.

We sold the Champion Progress Steer to Kennedy Core, Iowa. Congrats to the Core Family. It was very, very hot and humid in TN all week.

We are starting our big push now for our State Fair. It will be here before we know it.

The week has been long: moving, sorting and doing embryo work. Early mornings and late nights.

The weather here in Wisconsin has been pretty pleasant and somewhat on the cool side. We could stand some heat, but I am sure that is coming.

Leaving for St Louis today for the VIP Event. Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and hopefully some new ones.

Wednesday the kids and Mom will be leaving for the Jr. Nationals. Swinging by St Louis to pick me up. Both Brock and Lauren will be entering the fitting contest. This will be Brock’s 5th year in this competition and Lauren’s 1st year.

Spring is here and we are pretty much ready for it, since winter started early and stayed late. Most of the crop is in. The nights in Wisconsin are still cool, but we’re starting to get some good grass.

We are custom planting embryos for other parties and getting a set of recips. Ready now to put embryos in – pregnant recips. Can be picked up Nov 1st, 2009. We still have have some available if anyone needs to get embryos in. The phone is busy with folks wondering what to A.I. to this spring and talking about the calf crop on the ground. This is a great time of the year. I have done a couple of clinics in Wisconsin this last month. Turnout was really good and I had lots of questions.

My daughter Lauren finished her gymnastics season and ended up 2nd All Around at the State Tournament. We have had a lot of fun following her this season.

Brock’s baseball team is having a great season so far with only losing one game. Brock is getting to pitch a lot and this does much it a little more exciting.

We are hoping to get to OK next week for to deliver cattle and go to Ky Stierwalt’s graduation. Congratulations Ky! We might have some room on our trailer coming home if anyone in the Midwest needs something hauled back this way.

Good Luck with your livestock projects heading into the summer. Hope all ends up well and God Bless.

Bob

Monday – Last week resembled spring. Most of the snow melted. It has been a long winter.

Tuesday- Clipped a steer for the Iowa Beef Expo.

Friday-Brock and Bruce left early on Friday am for Des Moines. Brock was excited to stay and help the Core Family with their cattle. I left for East Lansing, Michigan for the fitting clinic. Took my friend Kolbi McReynolds. The clinic was on Saturday. Pretty good group considering it snowed 5” from Friday pm to Saturday am. The kids asked a lot of questions. Kolbi and I drove home that evening.

Sunday after church I attended a bred cow sale. Today we started getting our Denver/Ft Worth steers ready for folks to see.

Today we are heading back. I have to say this is the the nicest weather we have had in a long time. 70 degrees on some days.

Special Thanks to Boulder Valley Farm of Boulder, CO for letting us layover there during our long stay in Colorado. Myself and the crew greatly appreciate it.

Brock had Reserve Grand prospect Steer with a Purina Fed Heat Wave. He stood Reserve by an outstanding steer shown by Sara Vicklund, Colorado.

Watched 2 outstanding Steers get picked for Grand and Reserve Market. Congrats to Ky Steirwalt who had the Grand and Stetson Copus who had the Reserve. Brock May had 2nd and 3rd. Lisa and Laurie Reid each won their class and made the Champion drive. Congrats to all.