Air December 22, 2004

Thank you Jerry, and good morning everyone. Just a few days until Christmas, but more thoughts on that in a moment. Another good educational opportunity for cattleman is coming up on January 12th in Abilene. The annual 4 State Beef Conference brings information from some of the top beef specialists working in the Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska region together on a traveling show to all four of those states. This year's program will be at Sterl Hall on the Dickinson County fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m. and concluding by 2:30 p.m. A noon meal is included in the registration cost of $25. We do ask that you call in reservations by the 7th of January. You can call those in to the Geary County Extension Office at 238-4161 and we'll relay the information or you can call Dickinson county direct at 263-2001. The topics for this years conference include: Pre-weaning vaccination programs, economic options for generation transfer of the family farm, Disposition: A convenience trait or economically important and the cattle market situation and outlook, 2005 and beyond. Great topics and a good session to attend.

Well, Christmas is Saturday and another New Year starts a week after that. 23 years ago I had just finished a visit to Geary County and had signed a contract to start work at the Geary County Extension Agent. My big plan at that time was to do this job for 3 or 4 years then back to college to finish my Ph.D. What I found out, over time, though, was that I really didn't want to go back to college because I was enjoying this job way too much. I was contemplating that at about 30,000 feet of altitude a week and a half ago somewhere between Detroit and Kansas City. Life doesn't always go as you plan and you can either get upset about it or go with the flow and do the best that you can along the way. I chose the latter and have never regretted it. A lot of people may be thinking about what kind of presents they are going to get in a few days, and all I can think about is all the presents I've blessed with already. A great job in a great community. A wonderful wife and great coworkers. My true needs are met, who could ask for more? As we head into this wonderful holiday season, let me just say thank you to all of you for all being a great on going present, year after year.

This is Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook 2004, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

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