It's more than evaluating livestock...

This semester, I am teaching the livestock evaluation class. It's been an entertaining semester so far to say the least! (in a good way...) I have 11 students that come from a variety of backgrounds...a few of them grew up with an agriculture background but most of them have little to no livestock experience.  The majority of the students are majoring in Animal and Dairy Science with an emphasis on Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The students background makes teaching the class really fun because we get to talk about many topics within agriculture that go beyond evaluating livestock. For instance, we have discussed the proposed child labor laws and how this would impact farmers and ranchers. We have also watched YouTube videos from several ranches that talk about how important it is to those cattle producers to make sure they are creating a safe product for consumers. My reason for doing these types of activities is because most of these students hope to be veterinarians, they will be viewed as experts in their field and in agriculture. I think it's important they know about the current topics within Ag. and the struggles the industry is faced with on a daily basis so they are prepared to answer any questions that come their way.
This past week, we went out to the beef unit where the students learned how to judge heifers and gave their first set of reasons. It will be neat to see the progress they make between now and May!

The students working on a set of reasons

Two of the Charolais heifers we judged...Snowflake and Charlotte. Yes, they have names!

Extreme Makeover - Office Edition!

Hello everyone! I am slowly recovering from Nashville this week, I think I am going through withdrawal! I feel like I am missing all my fellow interns after being with them all week! It's always good to get back into the swing of things though. Mom and Dad have been renovating the office, so I wanted to share some pics with you. I will post more when it's completed. The open house is next Tuesday so hopefully I will have some more pictures by then!
One of my favorite things about the office is the canvas prints that are on the walls! These are pictures I have taken in the last year or so of our cattle. I might be a little partial but I think they are pretty neat!

The picture hanging crew: Dad, Nick, and Jordan 

One of the walls when you walk into the office through the front door!

The Country Music Hall of Fame

On Saturday morning, Taylor, Hilary and I went downtown to the Country Music Hall of Fame. So cool - if you are ever in Nashville it's a must-see!

Me and George Strait!

Me and Reba!

This is one of my favorites, Miranda's White Liar lyrics!

Elvis, My Papaw LOVED Elvis Presley!

Got to love Johnny Cash!

Loved this coat..look at all those colors!

Reba's boots, they had her name on the side of them.

The 2011 Hall of Fame inductees!

The experience of a lifetime - #NCBA12

Last week I interned at the National Annual Cattle Industry Convention and it was a phenomenal experience! I met some amazing friends and industry leaders throughout the week that I hope to stay in contact with in the future. I did a little bit of everything throughout the week from, meet and greet with the NCBA staff, to welcoming conference attendees, and raising money for NCBA PAC (political action committee). I also had the opportunity to help with Cattleman's College on Wednesday which is a day of classes for producers featuring industry professionals from an array of subject areas.
On Friday night, we went to the Grand Ole Opry....it was so so cool! My favorite was Josh Turner. Other performing artists were Eden's Edge (I am going to start following these guys), Johnny Price, and the Oak Ridge Boys. Then we went back to the convention center for a barn dance which was also a big time! There I met some of my social media friends in person, which is always a cool experience. It's shocking to me when people come up and say, "Are you Lyndi? I follow you on Twitter and read your blog!". The creepiest experience I had with that was when I was leaving the hotel Saturday morning (without my name tag on) and a guy came up to me! I don't know how he knew who I was but it was pretty neat, I was a little bit excited! :) Here are some of my tweeps I met: @AR_ranchhand, @meganmleonard, @jamesdecker2006, and @cowgirljesse!
Here are some pics from the week:

Me and Hilary, my roommate for the week! We had a great time :) 

Me and Malorie, a.k.a. Mal the Beef Gal, at the Barn Dance! I loved meeting her. Check out her awesome blog! (link above)

Me and Debbie Blythe from Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch at the Grand Ole Opry. We both had been by the KSU booth in the trade show to get our powercat stickers!  I love this lady and her passion for the industry...she is someone I look up to! I also had the chance to meet Barb Downey at Cattleman's College before she spoke in the reproduction management session! Two really neat ladies! :)

Lots of farmers and ranchers at the Grand Ole Opry! 

Josh Turner! :)

I had an amazing week and am so thankful to have had this experience! THANK YOU NCBA! 

Wordless Wednesday - #NCBA12

This week I am in Nashville at the National Cattleman's Beef Association Convention at the Gaylord Opryland hotel, resort and convention center - awesome place! There is this burger place called Stax that is amazing! You get to build your own burger with various toppings, etc. I've eaten there once every day I have been here. You can't beat a good, thick, juicy burger!