Working Ranch Blog

Well, I am not exactly Waldo, but I sure feel lost a goose. Since my move to Dalhart, Texas, I have not had internet service. I am not going to lie it was kinda nice. Now that the cable company and I have worked out our fights, I am more than ready to get back into the swing of things. I am in the very Northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle, not far from New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, or the No Man’s Land of Oklahoma. Yes, it is windy and warm, but so far, it has not been hot or dry. I think I must have that affect on places. The heat here has no comparison to the humidity of Arkansas, but you will not hear me complaining!

I am a month into my job a Management Trainee at the feedyard here in Dalhart. I came into the job knowing what it was like to work in a feedyard, but not quite knowing what to expect from this company. I have been more than pleased with what I found. Working 11 days out of 14 is not the problem; it is the days off that get to me. I am not exactly the type of person that knows what to do with a day off.

I work at the receiving desk in the cattle department. To keep it short, I receive all of the cattle that come into the yard, oversee the processing, and perform all of the pen moves in the feedyard. It is quite a task to keep things straight, lots of forethought and planning, and never a dull moment with the crew in the office. And who can complain about the food in our café.

I have many stories to tell, many things to explain, and some challenges for you to do some learning of your own about work in a feedyard. My next few posts will rather be catch up for me; things I have written over the past few weeks over topics that have come to mind. So bear with me as I back up on the tracks over the next few posts.

I know you as cattle producers have an interest in learning about what takes place in a feedyard. It is a big part of the cattle industry and each feedyard is different. I will do my best to answer your questions from my experience and get an educated answer if I do not have one. So here is your chance, fire away with the questions! Send me an email (rjlgoodman@hotmail.com) or look me up on Twitter and Facebook.