Somewhere between boots and saddles, briefcases and taxis... » Pat Becker http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:56:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Mobridge Livestock, South Dakota & the Kings Inn and Motel http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/mobridge-livestock-south-dakota-the-kings-inn-and-motel/ http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/mobridge-livestock-south-dakota-the-kings-inn-and-motel/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:18:33 +0000 Jess Peterson http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/?p=476 Pat Becker and I went to the Mobridge Livestock. Seeing the young fellas involved in this livestock market was truly inspirational. Brothers Jason Anderberg and Tigh Anderberg along with their partner Casey Perman are charging forward as the next generation of sale barn owners. They pick up the reigns from where Tom Anderberg successfully left off. With the enthusiasm and interest in where the cattle industry is headed, these guys will do quite well. For me, it was motivational to interact with young professionals who are committed to ensuring that the Mobridge livestock market tradition remains strong and successful for both the ranchers and community that depends on it. Another young rancher, Rio Jones, was helping out at this livestock market. Rio is also an excellent spokesman for the U.S. cattle industry. He helps out with his family operation which hosts a guest ranch; check it out at http://www.handboycreek.com.

To summarize, Pat and I were pleased with the outcome of this meeting and things are looking great here getting folks involved in issues affecting the U.S. cattle industry.

Oh and I would be remiss if I did not mention that as day closed, I stayed in Belle Fourche at one of my favorite hotels in the entire country. The Kings Inn and Motel truly as they say “an unforgettable experience at an unbelievable price!” I could try to describe it, but all I will say is, if you are ever in the Belle Fourche area and need to call it a night, go see my friend Waldemar. Get checked into your room and walk across the street to his bar and grill, the Boomba. Experience the Boomba, hear a story from Waldemar (this time Waldemar actually shared some of his private mustard reserve with me), and walk on over to your room and crash with a smile on your face, because that is what I always do when I stay at the Kings Inn and Motel!

]]> http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/mobridge-livestock-south-dakota-the-kings-inn-and-motel/feed/ 0 USCA at the Lemmon Livestock Market http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/usca-at-the-lemmon-livestock-market/ http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/usca-at-the-lemmon-livestock-market/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:37:35 +0000 Jess Peterson http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/?p=463 Today was another fun and exciting day on the road! Pat Becker and I met Allen Lund in Selfridge and made our way to the Lemmon Livestock Market. USCA Director Danni Beer met us in Lemmon, and we had a good chat with local cattle producers at the sale. We also had a good meeting with livestock market owner Paul Huffman. Paul was fired up about USCA and made my day when he gave me some Lemmon Livestock, Inc. caps and a jacket! I can’t wait to wear them in DC! Things are looking good here for USCA as we planned out a meeting for later in the year. We’ll keep you posted here.

]]> http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/usca-at-the-lemmon-livestock-market/feed/ 0 Visits to North and South Dakota – join me! http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/visits-to-north-and-south-dakota-join-me/ http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/visits-to-north-and-south-dakota-join-me/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:00:53 +0000 Jess Peterson http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/?p=455 Today I am headed to Minot, North Dakota for the State Fair.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, July 29), USCA Director Danni Beer and I will be at the Lemmon, South Dakota livestock market for their weekly cattle sale.

Thursday sends Pat Becker, Allen Lund, and I to the Mobridge, South Dakota livestock market for their weekly cattle sale.

Friday, I plan to see my good friend and livestock market manager Justin Tupper at the St. Onge Livestock Market for their weekly cattle sale.

Topping off the Dakotas tour will be a stop at the Faith Livestock Market, where I will get to see a good family of livestock market operators: Gary and Scott Vance.

Each one of these stops will provide opportunities to meet new ranchers, see old friends, and get folks up to speed on the latest happenings in Washington, D.C. If you are around any of these locations this week, please stop by!

]]> http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/visits-to-north-and-south-dakota-join-me/feed/ 0 Visit to Selfridge, North Dakota http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/visit-to-selfridge-north-dakota/ http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/2009/07/visit-to-selfridge-north-dakota/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:15:45 +0000 Jess Peterson http://westernskiesstrategies.com/blog/?p=448 Just finished up an excellent U.S Cattlemen’s meeting here in Selfridge, North Dakota. Special thanks to Pat and Bergetta Becker and the crew at Becker Ranch for sponsoring the steak dinner. Folks were fired up about USCA and the work being done in Washington, D.C. From a crowd of over 30 ranchers, including a few current USCA members, we signed up 11 new members. Special thanks again to these folks for the support!

I sure appreciated the opportunity to speak with these area ranchers. It is so helpful to hear insights and concerns from the people being impacted by federal policies. Defending country-of-origin labeling at the WTO, the impact of climate change legislation, and horse management problems were just some hot topics discussed in this meeting. It has been a long and busy legislative session. There are times when I question whether it’s worth it to keep fighting, but after a positive and upbeat meeting like this one in Selfridge, North Dakota, I say “bring on the stress and work in DC – it’s worth it!”

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