2014 YCLC First Session

The YCLC program (Young Cattlmen's Leadership Class) put on by our State Cattlemen's Association kicked off its 4th year this week.  I'm proud to say that I am one of 22 participants this year. I am proud to be a part of this great program and proud to be part of the biggest class they have had to date. The program is full of information on our Beef Industry. The information ranges from the County level to State level to the National level from legislative issues, family farms, commodities, marketing, telling 'your' Ag story to leadership within the industry.

 

 
This first session was spent in Little Rock touring the Department of Ag, Plant Board and State Capitol along with networking opportunities and tons of classroom education. We were introduced to the history of our association, the structure of the Association along with the history and structure of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

The goal of this program is to get the younger generation of farmers and ranchers involved with the Agricultural Industry. The information within the program as well as the tours that we took are a great reminder that unless you are speaking up and being active in whatever it is you are passionate about, someone else will be and you may not like the decisions they make that ultimately affect you and your operation.







Does your state association have a Young Cattlemen's Association? Are you an alumni in it or interested in being in it? How do you make your voice heard for Agriculture?


Below are pictures from our 1st Session :)

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primo Nato

Primo Nato- Italian for 'first born'.

I can't begin to tell y'all just what this means to us here at McClung Cattle Co. It means the start of our future, our family legacy, our dream, our foundation. It also has meaning that stretches beyond our cattle, beyond us, to those that came before us. Those that are no longer with us but that left their own legacy, those whose legacy influences us everyday and who are helping us in ways we here on earth can't even begin to fathom.

My mother-in-law's family was Italian. Their love of family and family legacy is something that was passed onto my husband. This love as among all Italians is a strong bond and one my husband still feels from his Mama everyday. Her love for her son, my husband, along with his dreams and aspirations is why I have chosen to nickname our first calf this year Primo Nato.

I personally couldn't think of any better way to describe this little calf. It represents and reminds us both of those things in our life we have been so abundantly blessed with: family, dreams, hard-work, love from those in Heaven and most importantly this life together that we are building.

So with no further ado, I formally introduce you to Primo Nato........................

 

I should probably tell you that Primo's Mama is VERY protective... Yes, she is a good mama.... She won't let us get too close at this point and the bottom picture is an accurate reflection of what happens when I go out into the pasture with them.

Herefords and Baby Moo's

My husband and I raise a small herd of commercial cattle currently. We are slowly studying and learning breed information and bloodlines on the Hereford breed . Hopefully within the next few months we'll be looking at starting a small registered Hereford herd as well-- and maybe throw in a few miniatures too--- they are so stinkin' cute!!!

I posted Saturday that we were on our way to the Magnolia Hereford Association sale, which I think as a big success. We got to see plenty of good cattle and I was able to snap a few pictures for your pleasure ;) 

..........Enjoy

 

Jeff Dunham

We've all heard of him or even seen him... Well we finally had the privilege of seeing one of his Live shows last night-- Disorderly Conduct.  As a birthday present to my wonderful husband I got us ;) tickets with some friends to see his show in Little Rock. It was a great show and he is definitely an entertainer.

We've been to shows before for other entertainers where they don't add in any new material so you end up paying for a show that you've heard numerous times. Don't get me wrong it's tons better live BUT when you know the punch lines it's not near as fun... Mr.Dunham on the other hand provided tons of new material in his show last night. He knows as a fan you don't want to hear the same jokes over and over again-- with that, he did some old material but the show was full of new material AND a new character. He introduced us to Coffee Man... I won't give you any information on this new one but when you see him for the first time be sure to come back and give us your opinion on him.

We also found how he will have an animated cartoon coming out with Achmed in March ;) not sure what to think about this yet but I'm sure we'll be watching it on CMT when it comes out!! And for those of you only children, imaginative, dreaming of being a ventriloquist people...(this would be my husband)... He has now come out with a Mini Jeff ventriloquist doll for sale!! We've been told it comes with all kinds of instructions and advice on becoming an entertainer to carry on in his footsteps..

I want to know who of you ends up buying this thing!! My husband will be jealous as we couldn't really find the justification for the purchase at $125!!!

And.... As I type this we are on the road once again... Can anyone guess what this road trip will entail?!?! One hint... They MOO...

We are headed to the Magnolia Hereford Association Annual Sale ....if my technology will cooperate I will try to upload some pictures from the sale later this weekend. ;) until then.... We'll be basking in the beautiful weekend weather and looking at some mighty fine cattle.

Don't look..... Don't look at how long it's been since my last post. It's Pathetic. Pitiful. Embarrassing. BUT it's LIFE! And life is exactly what has been going on in our neck of the woods. And lots of it.

Our calendar and appointments and other 'things' seem to be never ending and the days getting shorter but still I find myself ready to be back at this blogging deal. Ready to fill your ears with MORE of my rambling and even more of all the randomness that is my (our) life.

So much has changed but also remained the same over the last 2 years....Maybe eventually I'll get around to catching all of you up but for now I'll charge ahead with the current state of Faith, Love and Cattle in my life. All of which are still in full force and growing stronger on a daily basis.

Faith-- This one... WOW... is the only word to describe it... It is the center of everything and seems to have had it's ups and downs but God is good and thus my Faith is there. When I feel myself losing a little Faith in something or someone or some situation one teeny tiny prayer and God reminds me that there is no need to let my Faith waiver because He is there and has everything under control.

Love-- We still got it and it's stronger than ever! I still find myself falling in love everyday with my life and all the bigs and smalls, goods and bads that make it what it is.

Cattle--Those that know me, know this is more than in full force. We've got Momma's on our place that will be giving us baby moo's soon (we're praying that the weather will warm up just a touch soon too) and we just returned from my 1st ever NCBA convention as well as our yearly trip to the Dixie National. To say I (we) have cattle in our lives would be a gigantic understatement but also one of the biggest Blessings in our lives.