Ever sit down and list those things that could have made you a million bucks if only - - - ? Think of some of the statements made on t-shirts, for example. Early on in our marriage, my wife actually wore a sweatshirt I got for her that had lettered on the front, “Eat your heart out. I’m married!” My son has a t-shirt that says, “VOTE FOR PEDRO.” He has no idea who Pedro is or what he was trying to get elected to, but the t-shirt was cheap. The one I have never seen that I think would sell well would read, “SMASHES SPIDERS BAREFOOT.” One of my antics that my wife wishes I would grow out of is, when meeting someone with a shirt or jacket that has the logo, “B.U.M.” on it, is to ask them why their mother named them “Bum?” Which brings to mind the boy who came home after a week at Boy Scout camp and was a little upset with his mother. She had dutifully attached or written his name to all of his clothing except his undershorts. Seems that some of the boys had been calling him “Fruit of the Loom,” which was the only name on his shorts, all week.

Earlier today in a conversation, someone told me that what is happening to the rate of decline in number of dairies in the U.S. is shocking. Yes, many dairy farm families are struggling and have left the business. But is the rate of decline in number of dairies in production really "shocking"? The decade rate of decline in dairy operations for the past decade (from 2000 through the most recent data available which is 2009) is 38 percent. However, this decade rate of decline is actually slower than that of the previous decade in the 1990s (42 percent) and also slower than the 1980s (39 percent).

Thought about the hoses connected to your farm equipment? If not, you should, a Purdue University specialist advises.

The Big Ass Fan Company was named as one of the winners of the 2010 We CARE Awards for its dedication and commitment to the Lexington, Kentucky, community. This prestigious award recognizes local businesses that encourage employees to become involved as volunteers in their communities.

A group of 115 congressional members have signed a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, requesting “a thorough economic analysis” on the proposed rules on marketing of livestock and poultry under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

BioTracking, LLC announces its new, accelerated results blood pregnancy test for cattle, BioPRYNQK. BioPRYN “Quick" combines the accurate, early pregnancy detection of the  trusted, original BioPRYN blood pregnancy test, but now with same-day results.

GeneSTAR®, from Pfizer Animal Genetics, now comes with two additional offerings ─ a Palatability Index and black coat color. These are in addition to Molecular Value Predictions (MVPs®) for feed efficiency, marbling and tenderness.