Somewhere in the annals of land-grant colleges, the ag departments converted from offering a degree in animal husbandry to a degree in animal science.

The light of the campfire flickered across the faces of the herders. They’d polished off the last of the cabrito. “Muy bien,” said Tío, “I’m glad we got together. It’s been a long time. We lost José last year.” Pedro said, “Yeah, if it wasn’t for him we’d never had the nerve to go to Bethlehem that night. It was scary when those angels lit up the camp ... bright as day!”

The Mountain West, as pictured by the European immigrants in the days of Lewis and Clark, was covered with immense healthy forests that had recycled themselves naturally for centuries. They grew from seeds, matured, reproduced, died, burned and prepared the land for a fresh seeding. Fire was not the enemy.

I was explaining about pregnancy testing to a young veterinary student. She plunged her arm into the cow and palpated.

For several years, my phone conversations with George have been depressing. Sometimes when we discuss rain, he’s never had enough on Spud Mountain. He seems to live in the endless drought conditions … until it rains and washes out his water gaps, tanks and roads. It’s tough on his cows. Thank goodness, he has a job at the bank.

The Amish have many admirable traits; generosity, a work ethic, a Godly discipline, thriftiness and a small footprint on the ecology. Talk about recycling.

It’s been said, “Free advice is always worth more than advice you have to pay for.” Barb said she remembered a time when farmers used what we call today “alternative medicine” on themselves and their animals.

A while back, I decided to build up my ranching reputation by improving my equipment. I purchased a 1997 crew-cab GMC 1-ton diesel with only 254,000 miles on it. I traded in a ’74 1-ton flatbed F350 with a winch, plus $4,000. I asked the used-car dealer if I could keep the winch. He said it was the only reason he took the flatbed in trade. Cal told me his neighbor Jerry came by to show him his new purchase. A brand-spankin’ new 3Z4 ton four-wheel drive with payments of $600 a month over five years … but what Jerry was most proud of was a 20-ton winch with 50 feet of cable mounted on the front bumper.

Labor Day was created by unions to recognize the American worker. It did not include ranching and farming; if they did, it would destroy the ability of a farmer to get a loan. If a farmer included the cost of his daily labor on a financial statement, no banker could find a way to show a profit. But things have changed.

I am married to a Starbucks fiend (sounds better than user or addict). Any trip to town includes a quad vente latte four shots no foam.