I grew up in Tulsa. My step-father was a natural resources broker. I learned more about the oil patch than the cow pasture. I spent my days learning about business in Junior Achievement instead of getting an agribusiness background in 4-H or FFA. It didn't really surprise me when I captured third place in an informal cow-judging contest earlier this week. The contest was part of the Payne County farm and pasture tour. Contestants judged four cows, ranking them from most to least cow-like. I ranked the cows correctly, but misjudged the tiebreaker -- guessing the smallest cow's weight. It weighed 738. I estimated 650 pounds.
I may be a city slicker, but I've spent my time on farms, too.
I lived in Troy, Ala., (peanut country).
I've lived in Clute, Texas. Clute is in Brazoria County, and has the largest county fair in Texas. I covered that county fair, and the sale of the champions and reserve grand champions.
So, I now a little about horse and cow flesh.
Earlier this year, I wrote a story about longhorn cattle raised in Pawnee County.
Longhorns remind me of Bevo and the University of Texas.
The Big 12 conference is disintegrating. I expect Texas to bolt for the Pac-10 with OSU and OU tagging along. See Saturday's Sports section for more on the Big 12 exes to Texas strategy.
