Waiting for the Stork.

When I was very young I asked my mom a question that seemed logical to me at the time. We were driving past our bottom field when I saw a mama cow licking its baby. I looked over to my mom and lovingly asked, "Mom, how do cows get married?" I can't remember my mother's exact response, but I'm sure that one went down in the quote book.

I remember this moment, because I now have three baby calves on the ground back at home. Of course, this is killing me not being able to ooooh and awwww them at home, but I'm sure that's good for me to have to wait a bit. They are much cuter when they are a few days old anyway, because they have had time to fluff up and get their sea legs.

One wouldn't think 9 months would take so long, but it sure did! I'm so happy to have babies now so that I can enjoy them in all their little calf cuteness glory! They also make for great educational opportunities in terms of videos and whatnot!

This is Fiona from last year's calf crop, but Sunday Rose, Little Miss Sunshine, and the newest brown calf were born yesterday and today! We will have 5 more on the way soon! I can't wait to go home to love them!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

Women in Agriculture

Hello All,

This afternoon I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Cal Poly College of Agriculture "Women in Agriculture and Natural Resources Careers" panel and luncheon. I was very pleased and excited to attend, because one of my dear friends, Celeste Settrini, spoke on the panel! I had the greatest fortune in meeting Celeste at the California CattleWomen's Mid-Year meeting, joined with the California Women for Agriculture, around March of 2010. I will forever be thankful for that moment, because I have discovered a life long friend, mentor, and fellow woman in agriculture that I will cherish for a lifetime. See our cute picture below! ;) I couldn't let her get away without one of our famous Malorie/Celeste photo opportunities. After all, today is "Farm girl Fashion Friday!"


The panel consisted of six women in agriculture and natural resource careers including Ms Tonya Antle, Vice President of Organic Sales--Retired, Earthbound Farm, Ms Peggy Biltz, MBA, RD, CEO, Dairy Council of California, Ms Mica Heilmann, CPSS, CPESC, Soil and Agriculture Scientist and Partner, NewFields Agricultural and Environmental Resources, Ms Dris O'Conner, Executive Director, Central Coast Vineyard Team, Ms Celeste Settrini, President, Calfornia Women for Agriculture, and Ms Sarah Spann, Senior Project Manager, Padre Associates, Inc.

There were many great topics brought up in the panel discussion, and I'd just like to share some things that I learned today with you! I know they will help me further in my college career and well into life, where ever it may lead me, and I hope they impact you too.

1. Be present, always. Take some time away from the electronics. It won't kill you to turn off your phone, step away from your laptop, turn off the radio, and stop tweeting for at least half of a day. It will prove to you that time to yourself is important and beneficial. Quite time is sometimes the best medicine to cure stress. Take time to read a book, enjoy a walk, or bake, yes this means chopping vegetables to let out your inner stress!
2. Love what you do. Can you imagine hating your job? If you do, then maybe it's time to reevaluate the situation. Take care in discovering your career path. In a job interview you aren't only selling yourself to the employer, but the employer should also be selling themselves to you. If you aren't treated how you would like to be treated in the interview, you can bet that you won't be treated how you want to be treated in the work place as their employee.
3. Keep relationships with your peers. Yes, you will need to be on the look out for future employers, but who's to say you should stuff your friends under the rug if the opportunity allows. Continue to grow relationships while in college...you never know who you might run into several years from now in your career journeys, and you might need a favor.
4. Balance your work life and spare time. Several times a year (or a week, for that matter) you may feel stressed out past the point of breaking. Well, if you did this to yourself you can certainly undo it. If you plan things right, you won't really have to balance consciously. Your life will already do that for you. If you follow step 2 (Love what you do) you can find a happy balance in life. Love what you do, and then when you get home from work, love what you do there too.
5. Have a mentor. Even if that certain someone you look up to is younger than you, or completely different than you, it is important to have a role model in life. That person can help guide you in times of stress and challenges, and support your strong moments. All in a moment's time you will always have someone you can trust!

Moral of the story: Women in agriculture ROCK!

Thank you so much for a wonderful time today, Celeste!
For the rest of you, I hope you can take away something from my list. It goes on and on, but that will be all for my blog today!

Until next time!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

Looking Back

Two years ago tomorrow I earned the honor of serving as the 2009 CA Beef Ambassador. I cannot believe this much time has passed, but then again, it's all happening in a whirlwind!

I was born and raised on a small cow/calf operation in Livermore, CA. Going into the competition I was familiar with beef cattle and had an understanding of their purpose and their lifestyle. Reflecting on my knowledge of the beef industry now soars high and above what I ever expected myself to acquire.


Looking back on where I was then and where I am now humbles me to know that a program like the Beef Ambassador Program can teach a young person so much and inspire me to learn more and create a place for myself in the beef industry.

BEEF is not only what's for dinner. It's what's in my future. For that, I am and forever will be thankful to the Alameda County CattleWomen, the CA CattleWomen, and the American National CattleWomen.

Thank you to all who have taught me, learned with me, and inspired me to become a leader in the beef industry. Without your knowledge and experience I do not know where I would be today. Without your sound advice and passionate wisdom for beef cattle, youth in the industry, just like me, might not have found their place in such a welcoming home.

Good luck to all of the CA Beef Ambassador Contestants tomorrow. Remember, even if you are not named the CA Beef Ambassador or Junior Beef Ambassador, we are all still AGvocates and cannot let our duties as such fall to the wayside!

In the beef industry we are all winners, leaders, and role models.

I LOVE the American BEEF industry!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

It's Show Time Somewhere!

Hello!

In an epic quest to share our new found cattle items with each other, Jessica Sweet, a member of the 2011 National Beef Ambassador team and 2010 California Beef Ambassador, and I have spent the better part of the past hour discussing our love for beef cattle!

In an attempt to show her a cool new item I found on my new favorite site "Hop the Fence: Cattle Swag", she helped me think of an idea. The item I was oogeling over I find quite interesting, but Jessica was confused by its meaning. I suggested a sub-caption of "It's Showtime", with which she responded, "Yes, it's show time somewhere." Which inspired me to write this spoof off of Alan Jackson's song, "It's 5-o clock Somewhere." We will both be at the California State Beef Ambassador Contest this Saturday in Fresn0, CA, so she made me promise to sing it to her...until then the lyrics will have to do Jess...


The barn is hot and that ol' cow is movin' slow
And so am I
School day passes like molassas in wintertime
But it's just March
Gettin' calves by the hour, they get older by the minute
This calving season almost pushes me over the limit
I'd like to call them somethin'
But think I'll just go get the hay!

Chorus:
Give me somethin' small but strong
Make it a Angus cross, somethin' that will show well.
It'll only take 8 months, but I don't care
It's show time somewhere

This jackpot is gonna take all afternoon
And into the night
Tomorrow morning I know he'll want hay
Hey, but that's all right
We ain't had a day off now in less than a year
His King Ranch vacation is gonna start right here
If the class is for me
You can tell 'em I'm on my way

Chorus:
Give me somethin' small but strong
Make it a Angus cross, somethin' that will show well.
It'll only take 8 months, but I don't care
It's show time somewhere

I could pay off my truck
Pick up a new calf and be back again before 2
At a moment like this, I can't help but wonder
What would a beef ambassador do?

Jessica Sweet spoken:
Funny you should ask, Malorie
I'd say
Give me somethin' small but strong
Make it a Angus cross, somethin' that will show well.
It'll only take 8 months, but I don't care

Give me somethin' small but strong
Make it a Angus cross, somethin' that will show well.
It'll only take 8 months, but I don't care
She don't care
It's show time somewhere



Jessica: Which jackpot is this weekend?
How many calves do you have?

Malorie: It doesn't matter

It's show time somewhere

Jessica: It's always on show time on my ranch, come to think of it

Malorie: I heard that

Jessica: You've been there haven't you?

Malorie: Yes, Ma'am

Jessica: I've seen your truck there

Malorie: I've been to the ranch a few times

Jessica: All right.
That's good

Malorie: Showed a few calves while I was there.

Jessica: OK Just want to make sure you can keep it in the show ring

Malorie: Between the barns.
I got it

Jessica: All right.

It's show time
Let's go somewhere

Malorie: I'm ready.
Crank it up

Jessica: Let's load up the trailer

Malorie: We're gone


Yes, I realize I am a complete dork. Cattle geek. Whatever you would like to call me.
I prefer the term "Cattle Enthusiast"

And remember...it's show time somewhere!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

That's No Bug!

Hello all!

If you have been following my Facebook status updates you could have gathered the classes I am most excited about this quarter--environmental horticulture, people pests and plagues, swine management, and beef cattle fitting and showing. I think I have finally come to the time in my college career when it is all making sense. Several classes that I have taken previous to this quarter are actually helping me understand concepts this quarter...I think that means "it's" working!! "It" being my college education.

One of the classes that I thought would be interesting has proved to be just that, and then some. You see, People, Pests, and Plaques is in fact about bugs. Now, I'm sure that's a taboo word, kind of like calling the media in which plants grow in Soil Science dirt. However, repeating People, Pests, and Plaques is already getting old well into only the second week of class, so I have deemed my classes as such: plant class, bug class, pig class, english, and cow class. That simplifies my life some, and it make me more interested in the subjects, oddly enough.

In about one hour I will take my first quiz of the quarter. This quiz happens to be in my "bug lab," which last week I spent dissecting a 5 inch grasshopper. That was loads of fun...no really, it was way cool! So this week, we will take a quiz on the parts of an insect. In lecture yesterday we learned about the internal systems of insects, which I found quite fascinating, because it never crossed my mind to wonder how a bug makes its blood, since they don't necessarily have bone marrow. I find myself thinking that I could name any part of a pig, cow, sheep, goat, and even chicken, but bugs are much more challenging. So after four years of judging livestock in High School bug identification can't be that bad right? Ahem:

I placed this class of insects 2,4,1,3. 2 is the most complete bug in the group which allows it to surface to the top of this class with ease. The way its head connects smoothly to its thorax, which then connects to its abdomen makes for a very appealing bug. The way its forewings come out if the second segment of its body easily makes for ideal flying capacity. In my middle pair I placed 4 over 1, because the grasshopper appearing insect has more spring to its coxa and its spiracles are large enough to provide ease of breathing. 1 has adequate leg placement, but its trochanter is a bit underneath him. Lastly, I placed the 3 bug at the bottom of the class. This bug is simply the smallest framed, worse performing insect in the class. It narrows throughout its mandibles and its compound eyes are not large enough for it to see very well, making it highly edible for predators. Therefore, I placed it last.

Those reasons came out pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Alright, back to studying. But that was good review. Stay tuned for more random facts from my interesting classes this quarter.

Did you know....that only female honey bees can sting you, because their stinger is an adapted ovapositor, which is just an extended part of their abdomen which is meant to lay their eggs underneath a surface, of which sometimes happens to be your skin?

Now you do!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

Where's the # sign @?

Greetings!

I was born in 1991. I can remember when my mom left me with my dad to take a computer class when I was less than 2 years old. The outcome to that night was me putting my diaper on by myself--backwards! However, I remember my mom being overwhelmed with information when she returned from the class. We bought our first home computer in 2000. When I was a Sophomore in high school (2006) I was gifted my first lap top for Christmas. Now that I am a Sophomore in college I just recently purchased a new lap top (because the old one died a tragic death), and my mom still has that computer from 2000. Time for an upgrade? In this day and age the answer most undoubtedly is, "Yes".

People all over the world are a finger's reach away from their electronics. iPhones, iPods, bluetooths, Blackberry's, Smart Phones, MP3 players, iPads, lap tops, computers, and anything wireless that could possible make your day a bit easier. People have known to become "plugged in" to their electronic devices. The miracle of it all is that all these things even have the option of connecting with each other. Personally, I'm waiting for the day when a gazillion dollar company comes out with an iEverything: the one stop machine for everything electronic that you could ever need...in the form of a contact lense so all you have to do is think what you want it to do and it will.

Another great question to ask yourself is, "When is it all too much?" Will there come a day when we go back into the "cavemen stage" where we start dragging our knuckles back on the ground, get a little hair on our chests, and have no clue what a tweet or a twibbon or a hashtag is? My guess is, "NO." Technology is advancing so fast in today's era that pretty soon, we won't need humans to do anything. Then we will realize, "What was the point of all the 'smart' electronics?" They all have just seemed to make us appear dumb or less educated.Yet, this is where I begin to jab my foot in my mouth and make my exit stage left. Not only is "this" (social media and agvocating) what I want to do with my life, but I find it very fun and intriguing! So please take note that I have said everything I have above to make a point. I fully believe that knowledge is power and that technological advancements, as well as social media, have made a strong and powerful impact in many people's lives. However, (drum roll please) my point is this: Technology has advanced in such a way that has made our lives easier to live. They help us organize our lives and share stories with more people than we can ever imagine. This is where the importance of social media comes into play with agriculture.

Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs, Yammer, LinkedIn, etc, there are many consumers to contact with our stories in agriculture. Even if it is a small experience you have had or a synopsis of your farm or ranch, our industry needs to be transparent. Let consumers in, tell them the facts, and don't let anti-animal ag groups like HSUS ruin what advancements we have in agriculture.


If you need help learning about these great tools that have evolved since the '90s and the past, then don't be afraid to reach out and ask! If you have a specific question that I may be able to answer, please leave a comment below, and I will be glad to help!

So, where's the # sign @? No matter what your experience with technology and social media may be, with a little practice, your experience will be perfect!

Sin-steer-ly,
Malorie

Animals are NOT Created Equal

Hello!

I have not blogged in a while, but since it is my first day of Spring Break and I have no more school work for a while, I decided staying up a little bit later than usual to share my thoughts would be worth it! Earlier today I came across a blog, thanks to my good friend Ms. Celeste Settrini. This article was, of course, aimed at putting down animal agriculture. With the title "Some Animals are More Equal Than Others", I figured it might be a good read. Sure enough I was immediately reminded of one of the goals of the brand new National Beef Speakers Bureau that I am a part of. The message is: A companion animal does not equal a food animal. Often, this idea is thrown askew by anti-animal agriculture activists, however, it is our duty to inform then that that is, in fact, true. While Paris Hilton may enjoy walking around with her Princess Chihuahua in her purse, I wish her luck finding a purse large enough to fit a cow.


It's as simple as this: a dog does not equal a cow. We all learned this in science class in elementary school. Good luck finding a biologist who can prove this statement wrong, too. Sure the picture above depicts a cow dog facing his opponent: the cow. Now you probably know just as much as I do that we love our ranch dogs, and we love our cattle. However, the kind of love we have for these animals is different and distinct. The love we have for our cow dogs is that of a trust bond, a companionship, and happiness. Yet our love for cattle is one in the same, but we also love these cattle, and give them our best care, because they help provide for our livlihood, as ranchers, in this world. Yet, cattle provide for more than just us, which is why others "love" cattle too: for their beef. We realize that cattle were placed on the earth to transform nutrients that we, as humans, cannot digest, like grass, and turn it into the most powerful protein in the world: beef.

So to the author of "Some Animals are More Equal Than Others", to respond to your statement, yes they are. Food animals help provide protein for humans that we otherwise could not receive. American farmers and ranchers care for their livestock 365 days a year, and everyday is Earth Day!

Thank you for reading! Don't forget to leave a comment on the article sharing your story in agriculture. Don't let others tell YOUR story for you!
~Malorie