Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy,
Minnesota, since 1880
News from the week of December 1, 1999
Reserve World Champion title keeps up Shaw family's equestrian tradition
Brad Shaw didn't just grow up with horses.
"He was born on a horse," quips his dad, Curt Shaw, one of Tracy's most avid horsemen.
Brad, like the rest of his brothers and sisters, began straddling a horse not long after learning to walk. The early equestrian exposure is paying dividends for the 1969 Tracy High School graduate.
Now a professional horse trainer near Minot, North Dakota, Shaw and his two daughters were top winners in the American Quarter Horse Association's World Championship Show last month in Oklahoma City. The Shaws were reserve champions in the World Champion Team Penning competition, finishing second in a 121-team field.
"This is the most prestigious of all American Quarter Horse Shows," said Bill Brewer, AQHA vice president.
The national penning competition features $79,000 in prize money, paid out to the top ten teams.
"National Reserve Champions, that's something that doesn't happen every day," said Curt Shaw.
Riding with Brad were his daughters Josie, 17; and Toni, 14. Wife and mother, Mary, supported the riders from the sidelines.
The penning event is a timed competition featuring 30 head of cattle in the middle of a show ring. Each steer or heifer has a number between 1 and 10, with three critters marked with each number. Each team of three mounted contestants draws a number. If the number four is drawn, it is the team's job to round up and herd the three cattle with the number four into a corral on the opposite side of the ring.
The father-daughter trio were able to cut their cattle from the group and herd them into the opposite pen in just over 30 seconds, only a couple seconds off the grand champion time.
A total of 363 riders competed. To qualify for the international event, horses and riders needed to earn a predetermined number of points on the American Quarter Horse Association circuit between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 1999.
All told, the show had some 3,900 entries from 47 states, five Canadian provinces and the countries of England, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Belgium, Austria, Japan, Mexico and Norway.
Curt and Delores Shaw have six adult children. Others besides Brad are: Bryan, Brent, Barry, Jackie and Jill.
Legion gives away over $10,000 to community organizations
The Tracy American Legion Post gave $10,200 to seven different community organizations last week.
Recipients of Legion money were: St. Mary's School, Tracy Area High School, City of Tracy, Tracy Fire Department, Tracy Elementary School, Tracy Community Band and Wee World Pre-School.
“These are all good organizations that need extra money and we are happy to give them some help,” said Larry Bornitz, American Legion representative. Donated money came from the Legion's charitable gambling pull-tabs, located at the Municipal Liquor Store and Sanders' Eastside, and the Legion's Box Car Days bingo stand.
Donations were:
•$2,500 to purchase equipment for the new Tracy Area School cable television programming on Channel 7. Purchases will include microphones, television, dual VCR, video camera and tripod, video tapes.
•$2,000 teaching manuals, teaching aids, testing materials and training for a new phonological awareness program. The program is designed to help students prevent and remedy reading difficulties.
•$2,000 to City of Tracy swimming pool improvement fund.
•$1,000 for fire department equipment
•$1,500 for Wee World.
Medicare cuts are continued plague on hospital's cash flow
Federal budget cuts continue to take a bite out of Tracy Area Medical Services finances.
TAMS showed an operating loss of just under $20,000 during October. The red ink brings the hospital and clinic's operating loss through the first half of its 1999-00 fiscal year to $45,266. October was a sharp contrast from an exceptionally busy September, when TAMS posted a positive margin of $47,010.
TAMS community advisory board members were advised of the figures at their regular November meeting.
Sioux Valley administrators Lynn Clayton and John Olson cited the federal government's "Balanced Budget Act of 1997” as a major factor in the tight cash flow. The federal act, among other things, reduced Medicare reimbursements to medical providers. Since hospital and clinic charges are typically higher than Medicare reimbursements, significant amounts of potential revenue simply need to be written off.
This funding gap, Clayton and Olson explained, has created hardships for medical providers, like TAMS, who have a high proportion of Medicare patients. Clayton noted that rural ambulance services and home-health care operations were also being adversely affected by the Medicare cutbacks.
Olson said the cutbacks have created a dilemma for TAMS, because options to cut expenses are limited.
Memories of loved ones twinkle in hospice tree lights
Nearly 70 people gathered around the evergreen tree in the Prairie Pavilion Courtyard Sunday evening for a tree-lighting ceremony.
“A Light to Remember Someone Special” has been sponsored annually since 1991 by Prairie Home Hospice. It's the first time in recent memory that the ceremony has been held outdoors -- most years, the service is held inside because of wintry weather.
“I hope that when you drive by the tree during the holiday season it will serve as a symbol for you and help you remember special people in your lives,” Hospice Director Denise Brewers told the group.
Pastor Dave Erickson of Tracy's Presbyterian Church read scripture and talked about the importance of eternal hope. Special music was provided by high school junior Leah Schmidt who sang “Go Light Your World.” Reading the names was Elaine Fischer. A lunch was served by the Tracy Comets 4-H Club after the ceremony.
“Everyone seemed happy to participate,” commented Brewers. It was good to be able to reminisce with people.”
Lingering afterwards and pausing by the tree, a woman talked about the son she'd lost just months ago. “My son was always partial to blue.” Singling out a glowing blue bulb, she added, “When I drive by, I'll look for this light. It's better than letting the darkness close in.”
The evergreen tree in the pavilion courtyard was planted in memory of former Tracy city councilman Bill Fischer who died unexpectedly in 1992. Jenna Fischer, Bill and Elaine Fischer's 12-year old daughter turned on the lights at the ceremony.
A list of those honored with a light on the tree will be printed in local newspapers closer to Christmas said Brewers. Anyone still wishing to have names of loved ones included can contact the hospice office at 537-9247 or Elaine Fischer at 629-4149. Donations help hospice provide services to terminally ill patients and their families.
Three most important things in farming?
Management, Management, Management
In order to survive in the next century, farmers will have to spend more time in an office chair.
That's the message 25 farmers heard from Dennis Schroeder and Troy Otto of the Upper Southwest Farm and Agribusiness Management Program at a recent seminar in Lucan.
“We used to say, `Go out and work a hard day and you'll be rewarded,'” said Schroeder. “Now we're saying you have to not only work hard, you have to work smarter. More time will be spent making management and marketing decisions. Management is what is going to separate the players from those on the sidelines in the 21st century.
“Management is the key. We believe that well-managed businesses will thrive.”
The two men spoke at a seminar co-sponsored by the FBM Program and the State Bank of Lucan to address the challenges facing agriculture in the next century.
Good management, said Schroeder, means asking lots of questions, creating advantages such as marketing contracts, taking initiative, and assuming risk.
“Risk is what's going to create a profit.”
Transition—not crisis
Agriculture is in a period of transition, not a crisis, Schroeder believes.
“It's a crisis only for those that do not change,” underscored the management specialist. “Change is crucial in order to remain viable. The future will no longer be an extension of the past. The way it was will no longer be the norm.”
A number of changes facing agriculture were identified. Farms in the next century will be larger and fewer with farm consolidations taking the fast track. There will be increased global competition and more environmental demands. Strategic alliances and niche markets will play important roles. The technology transfer will increase; financial risks will increase; there will be more reliance on quality labor. An increased portion of inputs will be purchased. Ag businesses will earn more profit than producers.
The speakers told the group that government programs will decline.
“You will not find government to be the solution,” they stated.
Otto and Schroeder identified two chief contributors fueling changes in agriculture: technology and changing expectations of consumers, taxpayers, and rural residents.
“Technology cannot be reversed,” said Schroeder.
“Consumers expect to receive what they want, not just what's available.
“Taxpayers are feeling less of a need to subsidize agriculture.
“Rural residents expect to have a lifestyle that is no less than that enjoyed by people in urban areas. They're unwilling to remain in rural areas if they can't earn an adequate salary.”
Goals & records
Record keeping, a business plan, and sound marketing practices were targeted as essential elements of a successful farm business.
“You can't work out of a shoebox anymore and expect to survive,” Schroeder told the group. “The greatest causes of business failures are poor management and lack of planning.”
“Find a system that works for you and keep the records,” encouraged Otto. “There are differences in farm operations. You need to know where you are.”
Hooked on Simmentals
All hands pitch in as Tracy farm prepares for big cattle sale & stampede of visitors
Ask most farmers when they're the busiest, and they'll no doubt say spring planting or harvest time. But at Hook Farms northeast of Tracy, another time vies for that distinction. It's the week leading up to the farm's annual production sale of Simmental seedstock.
Scheduled for Friday, Dec. 3, the annual sale offers 120 lots of high performance genetics selected from over 800 cows, some owned by the Hooks, others from guest consignors who share a similar breeding philosophy. Included in the sale are heifers, both open and bred, bulls, and donor females as well as embryos and flushes of transferrable eggs.
• • •
As the big day approaches, activity at the always-busy farmsite moves into high gear. Final grooming of the cattle is completed in a bovine beauty parlor of sorts set up inside the farm's traditional red barn. Each animal in turn is cleaned, clipped, fluffed and spritzed with oil that leaves their coats shining.
Buildings are cleaned, and the farm is tidied up and decorated with evergreen garlands and wreaths and bright red bows. The farm's shop, located at one end of a huge machine shed, is emptied of its contents and transformed into a sale arena. Sawdust is spread on the floor, and a show ring complete with raised auction block is put in place. Portable toilets are delivered. Bleachers are hauled in and set up to accommodate buyers from across the country. Holding pens and a corral system to channel the cattle into the show ring are erected.
Tables are set up to serve refreshments and a complimentary noon meal catered by the Med Club in Tracy. Friends and family appear on the scene to lend a hand. Crockpots simmer away, their contents ready to feed the crew of busy workers. The telephone rings off the hook as potential buyers call with questions.
“It's like putting on a wedding,” explains Shannon Hook, wife of herd manager Tom Hook. “There's a lot of planning involved, a lot of details to line up. You have to think about the weather and how to feed everyone. And you want everything to look its best.”
• • •
Planning for the sale begins a year in advance when the date is put on the calendar and the services of Col. Jim Birdwell of Fletcher, OK, the sale's auctioneer, are lined up. Assisting the Hooks with some aspects of the sale, like publishing a catalog that's mailed to over 1,500 prospects, are sale consultants Val and Lori Eberspacher of rural Marshall.
Calving time at the farm begins on Feb. 20 and extends into April. The calves are weaned in September with an eye on the upcoming sale.
During the summer months, Hook and herdsman Ed Schmidt look over the new calf crop and decide which ones to sell as open heifers at the production sale, which ones to sell the next year as bred heifers, and which ones to keep as replacement stock for their own herd.
“It's the biggest decision we make. Buyers want a shot at your best,” notes Hook.
By October, the calves are halter trained, groomed and ready to have their pictures taken for the sale catalog. (All this while harvest at the farm is in full swing.) The 32-page publication identifies each of the 120 lots on the sale by name and number and gives descriptive details of each one.
A quick perusal of the catalog begs the question, “Where do the names come from?” Names like Madeline, Bonnie, Tatiana, Cher, Tulip, Candy Kisses, Love Struck, Figurine, Sweet Dreams, Simply Irresistible, Heavy Metal, Iron Will, Gridiron, Forum, Gideon and Durango.
Tom Hook admits to finding some of the names in baby books and arriving at others in more creative moments during long nights in the barn. Some are named for friends and family members.
• • •
The Hook family has been in the business of raising cattle since 1901. Eugene Hook, Tom's father, began raising Simmental cattle in 1973 when Tom was 12 years old.
Originating in Switzerland, the spread of the breed throughout the world was gradual until the late 1960s. The American Simmental Association was formed in 1968, and the first purebred bull was imported into the U.S. In 1971. Presently, the ASA ranks among the top four of the U.S. beef breed associations.
“Balance” is the word the Hooks use in reference to their breeding philosophy. A balance scale and the words “Bred for Balance” appear on the cover of the sale catalog. Calving ease, good growth and maternal traits are all strong characteristics of Hook Simmentals says Tom.
While participation in sales and shows across the country remains an important and integral part of the business, the production sale at the farm cuts down considerably on the amount of time spent on the road with the cattle.
Now in its eighth year, the sale has become a valued family and neighborhood tradition.
Tom's father Eugene, together with wife Bonnie, provides valuable support and handles details ranging from delivery of catalogs to making certain the windows in the shop get cleaned.
“Bonnie is the consummate greeter,” adds Tom.
Tom's sister Patti and husband Arden, who live in Onamia with their four children, clear their calendars a year in advance and arrive at the farm a day prior to the sale to pitch in and help. Shannon's parents, Bill and Sandy Bolin, are on hand for several days before the sale to babysit, cook and do whatever needs doing. Church friends bake and bring food. Neighbor Terry Flesner handles the set-up of the show ring and pens.
“He just knows what to do,” say Tom and Shannon.
Ethanie Schmidt, wife of the farm's herdsman, lends a hand with food and decorating and adds special touches like the Christmas music playing in the arena. The Schmidt's three children, Kasey Jo, Mike and Kelly are also involved. Kasey Jo watches the children, and Mike and Kelly, both college students, help with the cattle on weekends and during the sale. Tom's aunt and uncle from Redwood Falls haven't missed a sale since the first one eight years ago..
The flurry of activity leading up to the sale is an especially fun time for the children, says Shannon.
“Are my friends coming over today?” pipes up three-year-old Cassandra.
Sums up Shannon, “The cattle sale is extremely important, but when you look beyond the cattle you see family and friends helping each other, people using their talents in so many ways.”
• • •
A number of buyers arrive several days in advance to look over the herd. Looking at the cattle from every angle, they take notes and ask questions. They stop for a bite to eat in town.
“You wouldn't believe the people from across the country who remember the Red Rooster Restaurant,” says Tom.
Warm dry weather this fall has been a bonus in terms of preparing the animals for the sale.
“We've saved a lot of labor costs because we haven't had to wash the cattle as many times as we do some years,” comments Schmidt.
Everyone involved in the production sale is hoping winter weather holds off a few more days. But just in case in doesn't, a storm date is set for the following Monday.