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N ORTH TEXAS FARM & RAN CH NTFR August 2021 Hookin W Ranch Laramie Wilson and Katie Perschbacher FREE
N ORTH TEXAS FARM & RAN CH letter from the editor NTFR Volume 9, Issue 10 H publishing contribution Hello readers and welcome PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS to the August issue of North JM Winter Rayford Pullen Lindsey Monk Texas Farm and Ranch EDITOR Norman Winter magazine. Dani Blackburn Krista Lucas Wynn editor@ntfronline.com Phillip Kitts I’m not sure about y’all, but Lacey Newlin I feel as if this summer has production Jessica Kader just flown by. Considering Robert Lang ART DIRECTOR Barry Whitworth, DVM many of you work outside in Kayla Jean Woolf Annette Bridges the sweltering heat, I am sure kayla@postoakmedia.net Garrett Metcalf, DVM Dave Alexander you are all counting down the Tony Dean days to cooler weather. advertising executives Andy Anderson Jelly Cocanougher I try to always pay attention Kathy Miller Jared Groce to tidbits of news, songs, kathy@postoakmedia.net Martha Crump books or quotes that might Tressa Lawrence Sherrie Nelson Nikolyn Williams strike my interest and be sherrie@postoakmedia.net worth sharing with you, my readers, every month. This time, it comes Rosemary Stephens COPY EDITORS from a Facebook e-card of all places. The quote on it said, “Surround rosemary@postoakmedia.net Judy Wade yourself with people who build you up and encourage you to live Krista Lucas Wynn distribution out God’s plan for your life.” Along with the quote, it asked who the administration quote made you think about. MANAGER Kayla Jean Woolf I’ll admit, it’s definitely not me. I’m that friend who thinks I need Brenda Bingham kayla@postoakmedia.net accounting@postoakmedia.net to be a shoulder to cry on. I’m not outspoken, or assertive, and would DISTRIBUTORS rather be a listening ear any day than the one who tells a friend when Pat Blackburn it is time to make a change in their life or that they are in the wrong Michael Burton in any situation. And if I’m being really honest, I don’t always want a friend to tell me when I am not being my best self. But I should. We should all strive every day to be the very best version of ourselves, CONTACT US following God’s plan no matter what. The easiest way to do this is to North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine choose to surround ourselves with those who push us to do exactly 200 Walnut St., Bowie, TX 76230 that. Be our best. 940-872-5922, www.ntfronline.com In this industry, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to truly in association with make a difference in the world. In my job specifically I am blessed with such an amazing team of contributors, sales staff, production, and other editors who encourage me to be at my best just because each and every one of them lead by such great examples. NTFR and Post Oak Media are not responsible for omissions or information that has The ones I am blessed to interview each and every month as a been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability profile are no exception. I get to listen as these successful individuals for advertising content. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily ponder on their life goals and how they climbed to the top of their reflect those of the magazine or its employees. careers. This month was perhaps one of the most exciting profiles yet as I traveled to Rhome to meet Katie Perschbacher and Laramie ON THE COVER Wilson of Hookin W Ranch, home to some of top bucking bulls in the world. Not only did I get to lay eyes on bulls like Woopaa and N ORTH TEX AS FAR M & RAN CH Top Dollar, but I was able to get to know the genuine, hard working Katie Perschbacher and N TF R August 2021 pair behind the bulls. If you have a story idea for an upcoming issue, we would love to Laramie Wilson of Hookin W hear from you. Email editor@ntfronline.com. To subscribe by mail Ranch, home to some of the call 940-872-5922. Make sure to like our Facebook page and follow top bucking bulls in the world. us on Instagram and Twitter. Wishing you all the best this August. (Photo By Dani Blackburn ) Hookin W Ranch Dani Blackburn Laramie Wilson and Katie Perschbac her FREE Dani Blackburn, Editor editor@ntfronline.com WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 5
CONTENTS pg. 32 Hookin W Ranch pg. 24 Red, Whitesboro and Blue pg. 14 Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming pg. 43 Lacey’s Pantry 16 26 Rodeo 30 City Girl 47 On the Road 54 Grazing Freedom an’ Whiskey Photography Goes Country with Dave North Texas The western life Have you browsed Is your life filled with If you’re looking Although is never about through social media routines? for a place to enjoy Kleingrass is not the things you and come across cool Do you have a fine Texas wine, live native to Texas, it is accumulate, it’s rodeo pictures? Has favorite shirt you music and dining, one of those grasses about things that this ever sparked would wear every you’ll want to visit that works very well touch your heart. curiosity? day? Firelight Winery. here. 6 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
SChOlarShip OppOrTuNiTy WICHITA FALLS AREA CATTLEWOMEN: Once again, it’s time to apply for the Wichita Falls Area Cattle- Women’s scholarships. Students must be a sophomore in college with at least a 2.5 grade point average, majoring in agriculture. If you qualify and would like to apply, please contact Jane Ridenour at 940-586-0251 or 940-733-3579. SOCializiNg FACEBOOK WALL TWITTER FEED WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 9
meanwhile back at the ranch By Rayford Pullen | rcpullen@yahoo.com A August is the month we start making plans for fall and winter pastures and making sure we have our hay supplies in good shape. In con- versations with several producers around the country, one thing we have discussed is cutting our winter supplement costs, if possible. We all know our costs of production have gone up in recent months in regards to fuel, fertilizer and feed, or as we call them, the big Fs. As we look at our margins, about the only thing we can do to increase our profits is to decrease our overhead. While many producers sell their calves as packaged beef there are not a lot of other options to increase our margins. While I do like this option, finding places to harvest our cattle has become a nightmare as our harvesting facilities are overloaded with demand. So, we begin to look at what we can do to cut our costs that relate to keeping an animal year-round with winter feed cost being the most. Among the things we have discussed is making sure the hay we either raise or purchase is high quality to reduce protein needs, feeding liquid feed as opposed to cubes and utilizing August is the month we start making plans for fall and winter pastures and making sure we have winter pastures for our cow herd’s nutritional our hay supplies in good shape. (Courtesy photo) needs during the winter. We have not come up hay needs to be 28 to 30 days old for the best fact you are correcting the soil pH. with the solution to our problems, but one thing quality and quantity. While we do not want Winter pastures are probably the most that really sticks out is buying or producing to run our equipment across a piece of land cost-effective forages we can have to reduce higher quality hay. that only makes a couple of bales or so, that our winter feed bills. Now, this is where many The stage of maturity of our forage when is what we have to do to get quality. While folks like to throw out, “But what if it doesn’t baled and the time of year when it is baled, fertilizing is very important for quantity, its rain?” If that is what is on your mind, do not particularly summer perennial grasses, deter- effect on quality becomes less and less as the take the chance and just buy your supplemental mines the hay quality the most. Cool season grass matures, meaning hay baled or sold as needs. If not, we can produce three or four tons forages in our area are the best if we can get fertilized does not mean much to the buyer if of forage for about $150 depending on your them baled before they mature. This year that it is pretty mature when baled. location. Put a pencil to it for your location was pretty much impossible due to extremely That also brings up the price of fertilizer and soils to see if this may be viable for you, wet conditions we had in May and June. Wheat as a really significant cost in maintaining our and pray that it rains. hay was pretty much mature before we could cattle. As we look at fertilizing our pasture or When considering cubes, are we talking 20 bale and our ryegrass, while it does not drop hay meadows, we believe if we are going to percent, 23 percent or 38 percent? Are your in quality as much as wheat when it matures, fertilize, we need to use it on our most produc- cows in good shape going into winter? How old was also more mature than we would have tive soils and maybe skip those marginal or are they or are they nursing a calf? What about preferred. acidic soils where our return on our investment liquid feed? How does it compare to cubes in Warm season perennials, such as Bermuda is extremely narrow or below the cost of doing price and nutrition? grass, were also delayed this year due to wet it. As soil pH drops below 5.5, you may not There are a lot of changes going on out conditions preventing us from getting into see much or any benefit from fertilizing since there, and if we are going to survive, we are the fields. Also, as the summer gets hotter, hydrogen molecules bind the fertilizer attached going to probably have to change with it. Like Bermuda grass quality goes down. While to the soil and is not released to the plant. This I said earlier, we still do not have this figured Bermuda grass does not seed out to the extent can only be overcome by liming your soils, out, but if you do, please share it with me. wheat or ryegrass does, its quality is mostly which if you soil test for N, P and K, the recom- It’s a wonderful time to be in the cattle determined by age. Top quality Bermuda grass mended fertilizer application is based on the business. 10 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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M Montana declared a state of emergency because of the drought, but we’re still getting cow work done. WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 13
H Haying season in Wyoming is marked by record high temperatures and below average rainfall. How many cuttings do you average? Have you had the usual amount of rain? 14 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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Freedom an’ Whisky By Nikolyn Williams T There have been plenty of Skinner.” I thought there is a big times over the past 30 some odd rattlesnake den on “The Skinner.” years when I have questioned, I know this because we have screamed, yelled, and yes, even killed several big ones on “The thrown rocks and dented what Skinner.” was a brand-new pickup, new to So, as I followed his butt in he us anyway. Most of us that live said, “High trot.” When I heard this life without much other in- that familiar rattle, Woodrow come sources never seem to have looked back and yelled, “Keep rid- brand new anything. Once you ing.” That is code for immediate figure all this out, “the life” never and severe danger is on the direct seems to be about the things you horizon. Knowing I probably had accumulate, it is always about the no other choice, I kicked Hol- things that touch your heart. That lywood into a higher gear. I have my friends is how these cowboys no idea why I keep following his trap their wives into staying for a butt. I’m going to get some dang lifetime, and consequently over counseling about my addiction to time, become immune to danger. these rogue personality types. Women are typically creatures of At least this time being the the heart and every cowboy I have veteran I am, I kicked Hollywood ever met knows it. into that high lope instead of stop- It started raining again. In fact ping right on top of the rattlesnake we got four inches in one night; and yelling, “What did you say?” however, we failed to get a pick- I think that is when I first got that up out to the blacktop road. We endearing nickname, “Dammit live on four miles of dirt, not re- Nikolyn.” ally much better than a turn row When we got to a safe distance, road. These kinds of rains send us I yelled, “How big was it?” back in time a century or so, and “Big,” Woodrow answered. Woodrow, the cowboy I have been “You rode right over the top of married to for 34 years, is in hog it.” heaven when he has to saddle two Of course I did. I just close my horses so we can ride to the road eyes and hope for the best like I in a borrowed pick-up someone One of the things all ranch wives understand is there is always the pos- have always done, and well, I am loaned us and pack “provisions” sibility of danger. The ones that last 30 or more years become somewhat still alive. immune. (Photo courtesy NIkolyn Williams) back in here. This has been going So, all week long the roads on for four days now. I am here I have come up with exactly a four dogs, and me. have been way too muddy for to tell y’all anytime a cowboy can million and one reasons why I One of the things I think all anything. Here is the endearing revert to “the old ways,” they are could not or was not going to go. ranch wives understand is there part where these cowboys make like giddy children. If they can get However, this particular Sunday, is always the possibility of dan- it virtually impossible for you to you to come on the ride with them, and thank God we woke up to four ger. The ones that last 30 or more stay mad at them. Due to this rain even better. inches of rain, I knew we were not years become somewhat immune. we have had a bumper crop of wild Every Sunday for I do not about to drive anywhere because At least I think I did. Anyway, I plums. Every night he has saddled know how long now, Woodrow we live on the aforementioned always know one thing, it may get my horse and taken me to pick has loaded his Pan-yard on his four miles of dirt road. I do not western, but I am probably going wild plums. Yes, after 34 years of packhorse, got on his saddle horse know what it was really; none to see things that will be forever rattlesnakes, bears and other dan- and took off. It has become my of those million and one reasons etched in my mind and heart. gers, I still get on that horse and Sunday entertainment to watch seemed to be able to hold me any- On the way back we got caught ride out with him. You know, the this whole ordeal and make wise more. Plus, he promised to take me in a rain shower. We kicked those ride with these cowboys can and cracks. His biggest quest in all of to the plum thickets, so away we horses into a high trot, and as we will get wild and woolly at times, this has been how he was going went on hours of adventure and did, Woodrow yelled back to me but I guarantee it never gets old, to coax me into going with him. laughter; Woodrow, two horses, we were cutting through “The and it is certainly never dull. 16 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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land market report By Jared Groce June 2021 Rural Land Sales J June land sales in North Texas continue on an unparalleled pace with prices still continu- ing at an all time high. The number of transactions has increased which leads me to believe there is more available inventory to satisfy the never-ending demand that is out there right now. More and more concerns about changes in the capital gains taxes has land owners rethinking their positions about keeping their land, and many are selling while the market is high and the capital gains rate is 20 percent before stretching to the estimated 44 percent or 48 percent in 2022. Many investors are coming out of the woods, looking for any land they can buy and chop up into smaller pieces in order to make a quick return on their dollar. It is getting harder and harder to find a tract of land over 500 acres in our area anymore. On this topic, I hear some folks complaining about landowners cutting their properties into smaller tracts in order to make more money, but if you live on a tract of land less than a league, which is 4,428 acres, then you too are a part of the population who benefits from cutting up land into smaller tracts. Information from North Texas Real Estate Informa- tion Service. (NTREIS) for raw land data, 10 or more acres, ag exempt, for the month of June 2021. SP/LP = Sell Price to List Price ratio.DOM= Days on Market. WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 19
Summer Pneumonia By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma S Summer is usually hot and dry for most of Texas and Oklahoma. This type of weather is great for baling and hauling hay, but un- fortunately, this type of weather is not great for animals. A disease that thrives in these conditions is summer pneumonia in nursing calves. Summer pneumonia is the name given to bovine respiratory disease in young cattle still with their mothers on pastures. Accord- ing to the National Animal Health Monitoring System 2007-2008 Beef Cow/Calf Study, the number one cause of death in calves three weeks of age to weaning is bovine respiratory disease. The disease tends to strike with no warning and has been seen more frequently in recent years. The usual suspects associ- ated with cattle pneumonia cause summer pneumonia. Viruses involved are Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus, Bovine Calves diagnosed with summer pneumonia usually fall into two age categories. One group consists of calves Viral Diarrhea Virus, Bovine that are usually less than one month of age. Veterinarians believe they fall victim as the result of poor quality Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and and/or quantity of colostrum. The other group is three to four months of age. These calves tend to get sick Bovine Coronavirus. The bacteria at the same time the protection of the colostrum begins to wane. (Courtesy photo) associated with summer pneumo- pneumonia are hot, dry and dusty luctance to eat, droopy ears, and for summer pneumonia includes nia are Mannheimia hemolytica, conditions. Adverse weather cir- reluctance to move. Other signs proper cow management, vac- Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus cumstances such as cool nights sometimes found are coughing, cinations and a maintaining a low somni, and occasionally Myco- and warm days are also affiliated ocular discharge, nasal discharge, stress environment. plasma bovis. with calf pneumonia. As herd size and breathing difficulties. These Prevention starts with making Calves diagnosed with sum- increases, the chance of summer signs may be difficult to observe sure cows are in good condition mer pneumonia usually fall into pneumonia rises as well. in the early stage of the illness but before and after calving. Cows that two age categories. One group Herds larger than 500 head normally become more severe as are in good body condition, on a consists of calves that are usually are most susceptible. Manage- the disease progresses. good nutrition program, and have less than one month of age. Vet- ment practices that result in cattle If the disease is diagnosed been properly vaccinated should erinarians believe they fall victim being crowded such as estrous early, then treatment with most have high quality colostrum. Co- as the result of poor quality and/or synchronization, intensive graz- antibiotics will be successful. lostrum plays an important role in quantity of colostrum. The other ing, and creep feeding are linked However, a delay in diagnosis preventing diseases. group is three to four months of with summer pneumonia. Lastly, will result in more complications A successful vaccination pro- age. These calves tend to get sick ranches that expose their calves to and failures. gram to prevent summer pneumo- at the same time the protection of older steers or orphan calves are Even though most treatments nia requires using proper vaccines the colostrum begins to wane. more prone to having issues with are successful, producers can be and using them at the proper time. Studies have found several summer pneumonia. frustrated with the difficulties as- A vaccine that addresses the factors associated with summer Typical clinical signs of sum- sociated with treating calves on common pathogens (IBR, BVD, pneumonia. Environmental char- mer pneumonia are high fever pastures. PI3, BRSV, M. heamolytica, P. acteristics connected with summer (106° Fahrenheit or greater), re- A good prevention program multocida) involved in calf pneu- 20 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
monia is essential. Many ranches diagnosis and treatment is es- have begun to administer these sential for a successful outcome. vaccines at branding or turn out Hopefully, more information will time (approximately at 60 days be discovered in the future to aid of age) in hopes of stimulating producers in preventing this dis- immunity and reducing summer ease. For more information about pneumonia. summer pneumonia in calves, For more information about producers should contact their lo- a vaccine program, producers cal veterinarian or Oklahoma State should seek the advice of a vet- University County Agriculture erinarian. Extension Educator. Stress needs to be managed as References best as possible. Producers should Woolums AR, Berghaus RD, castrate and dehorn calves at an Smith DR, et al. Case-control early age. This should reduce study to determine herd-level risk stress since these calves con- factors for bovine respiratory tinue to stay with their mothers. disease in nursing beef calves on Also, producers should try to cow-calf operations. J Am Vet avoid situations that crowd cattle Med Assoc. 2018;252(8):989-994. in small spaces. Unfortunately, doi:10.2460/javma.252.8.989 even the best-managed herds can Woolums AR, Berghaus RD, still have problems with summer Smith DR, et al. Producer sur- pneumonia. vey of herd-level risk factors Cattle producers need to ob- for nursing beef calf respira- serve their herds frequently this tory disease. J Am Vet Med summer for any clues of pneu- Assoc. 2013;243(4):538-547. monia in their calves. Prompt doi:10.2460/javma.243.4.538 WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 21
Proud Flesh – An Age Old Problem By Dr. Garrett Metcalf, DVM I If you have been around horses matory phase when the wound very long you know horses love to is created. This phase becomes hurt themselves a lot, and when mediocre and prolonged compared they do it is many times on their to other animal species and even lower extremities. This is the when compared to ponies. This favorite place for a horse to grow phase seems to be the key to jump proud flesh or as veterinarians call starting the healing process, and it exuberant granulation tissue. horses just do not do it very well. Many people think of granulation Getting stuck in this prolonged tissue or proud flesh as a nega- inflammatory phase leads to proud tive outcome of wounds, but it flesh formation. does have a purpose in helping Other factors that lead to poor the horse heal. Unfortunately it wound healing in the lower limbs does not always behave the way of horses are they do not have we want it to, and sometimes it is muscle tissue in the limbs that both the horse’s and the people’s help provide blood supply to the fault when it comes to taking care wound. Limb wounds tend to be of these wounds. dirtier and contaminated because Phases of Wound Healing they are closer to the ground. Mo- There are three main phases tion is also a problem on the limbs, of wound healing in the horse, especially when wounds occur inflammatory phase, proliferative over a joint that is a high motion phase and maturation/remodeling point. Blood supply also is a factor phase. Inflammatory phase oc- in wound healing in horses’ legs curs within minutes and lasts for and is just not as good as in the hours after a wound is created. In upper part of their bodies. the inflammatory phase, swell- How We Make It Worse ing, hemostatsis and migration of Many times part of the reason white blood cells to the wound is wounds grow so much proud initiated. This inflammatory phase flesh is because of the things that is one of the most important steps are applied to the wounds. Some in setting the stage for the rest of of the most harmful products to the phases. Granulation tissue is wounds are caustic wound pow- part of the natural healing process ders or wonder dusts that claim to for wounds in horses during the burn back and destroy granulation proliferation phase. It becomes tissue. The problem with these present in the wound bed of horses products is they cause more in- around five to seven days after the flammation and are indiscriminate wounding occurred. This tissue is at what they destroy in the wound made up of fibroblasts and lots of such as the newly formed and very new blood vessels that form from delicate skin that is coming across the edges of the wound. This tis- Many people think of granulation tissue or proud flesh as a negative the wound. sue will fill in the gaps between outcome of wounds, but it does have a purpose in helping the horse Some antimicrobial wound the wound and will convert part heal. (Courtesy photos) dressings have been shown to of the cells to myofibroblasts. the size of the wound by up to quality collagen tissue. delay wound healing through These myofibroblasts have very 40 to 80 percent to allow the rest Where It Goes Wrong research and should not be used small microscopic muscle fibers of the wound to be healed by There are many reasons horses in certain stages of the wound that help pull the wound edges epithelialization. The last phase heal slowly, especially on their healing process. Lastly wound closer together during what is is when the wound strengthens by extremities, but the difficulty in dressings that are too occlusive called contraction. Contraction the replacement of poorly orga- wounds in horses and granulation can cause the wound to be starved occurs around 10 to 14 days after nized collagen tissues with more tissue lies in the fact that horses do of oxygen and lead to more proud wounding, and this helps reduce organized, cross-linked and better not produce a very good inflam- flesh production. 22 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
compared wound dressing oint- wounds to promote better healing. thumb is if you cannot put the Managing and Minimizing ments and recently a study found Skin grafting wounds are also ointment in your eye it is not safe Proud Flesh that triple antibiotic wound oint- a very good way to reduce the for a wound. Proud flesh can lead to delayed ment (Neosporin) produced the wound size or even completely 5. If proud flesh begins to form wound healing because the new least amount of proud flesh when cover the wound to get it healed have it cut off or have your veteri- cells growing from the edge of compared to others. with new skin cells. There are narian prescribe a steroid cream the wound cannot migrate up Another very safe and effective many methods and techniques to such as Triamcinolone or Betame- over a mound of granulation tis- wound ointment is SSD or silver graft skin in horses and often are thasone to help safely shrink down sue as well as they can over a flat sulfadiazine wound ointment dictated by the size, shape and the granulation tissue. wound bed. often used for burn wounds in location of the wound. 6. Skin grafting is another One method of managing gran- people. Even honey, specifically Take Away for Horse Owners method to cover a wound more ulation tissue when it does become Manuka honey wound dressings 1. Clean the wound as soon quickly with new skin to reduce too proud is by sharply cutting or ointments, help improve wound as possible with mild soap and granulation tissue formation. it flat with a scalpel blade. This healing. water or diluted Betadine solution The approach to dealing with removes the excessive tissue and Biological products such as products. wounds and proud flesh is rather refreshes the wound to encourage amnion can help reduce proud 2. Often it is recommended to a simple one and does not require proper healing. flesh and improve wound healing. have wounds examined as soon as a magic ointment or treatment to Another method is by medical Amnion is tissue that surrounds possible by a veterinarian, espe- keep it under control. treatment of granulation tissue the fetus in the womb and is rich cially if the wound is over a joint Remember the goal is to keep with topical steroids which also in stem cells, growth factors and or other important structures. it under control early on and to helps reduce the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines that 3. Closing the wound if pos- avoid things that are used on the excessive granulation tissue and help reduce scar tissue and pro- sible with sutures will help reduce wound from making it worse. If keeps the proud flesh from form- motes healing. having proud flesh. you are concerned your treatment ing, but when used too much can Another biological produce 4. Use appropriate wound or care is not working for your lead to delayed wound healing. produced from the bladder of pigs dressings and ointments your horse please reach out to your There are studies that have called A-cell has been applied to veterinarian advises. The rule of veterinarian for help. WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 23
Red, Whitesboro and Blue By Krista Lucas Wynn N North Texas has experienced quite a bit of rain the past couple of months. The rain did not keep the annual Whitesboro, Texas rodeo from continuing its tradition of hosting some of the top rodeo talent and attracting spectators from miles around. The rodeo is conducted every year on Fourth of July weekend as a United Profes- sional Rodeo Association event, and award winning Flying C Rodeo Company provides the stock. The rodeo festivities kicked off with a night of slack on Thursday, July 1. What started out as ideal weather conditions, and the arena’s new ground ready to go, soon turned into storms moving in and about five to seven inches of rain pouring down onto the rodeo grounds. Slack was about halfway through with the barrel racing when the rodeo committee decid- ed to pause for the safety of the contestants and everyone involved. Runs were able to resume shortly, and the committee and riding club did their best to accommodate everyone and make the best of a “sticky” situation. It remained muddy throughout the weekend, with more rain coming that Friday, and finally clearing off for the last night on Saturday. De- spite the muddy conditions and dicey parking situations, that did not stop people from attend- ing and filling the stands. Rodeos near and far over the Fourth of July saw record setting at- tendance numbers, showing that rodeo is alive A. D. Davis got off in a wet mess and was still able to get a time of 5.1 and a third place finish. (Photo courtesy Wayne Gooden Photography) and well in 2021, especially in small towns. Contestants braved the mucky conditions, Dalton Kingery won the saddle bronc rid- featured in NTFR, scored an 86 for the win and and in the bareback riding it was Hunter ing with a ride worth 87 points, and Thomas $1,011. J.A. Cezere and Landon Coulston were Ramsey who won first place with an 81-point Moellering won the ranch bronc riding with second and third place respectively. ride. He actually split the win with Yance Day, 88 points. The Whitesboro Riding Club includes many and Marvin Alderman came in third with 79 The tie-down calf ropers had to get down individuals who contribute to putting on a points. and dirty as well, and Atrell Carmouche walked hometown rodeo full of fireworks and fam- In the steer wrestling, Connor Gentry threw away with the win with a time of 9.29 seconds. ily fun. They volunteer their time and efforts his steer in 4.1 seconds for first place and Cash Palmore and Cody Hogan roped their throughout the year to make this annual rodeo $1,056. A.D. Davis, who is pictured, got off steer in 5.29 seconds to win the team roping. a reality even in less than ideal conditions, in a wet mess and was still able to get a time Barrel racing turned out to be a tough race and they appreciate everyone who attended of 5.1 and a third place finish. as usual, but some of it depended on the luck this year. Breakaway roping has seen a rise in con- of the draw. Chazli Massey chose to make the There are many local rodeos to choose from testant numbers all across the country, and best of the situation and had a smoking time of for North Texans to attend, as a contestant or Whitesboro was no different. Cassidy Pineda 17.9 seconds for the first place win. Stephanie as a spectator. These events support the local won the event with a time of 2.17 seconds. It Joyner, Riley Welch, Shelbi Reynolds, Chani community and the rodeo committees and rid- was a tough roping in even tougher conditions, Graves, and Lauren England rounded out the ing clubs that work tirelessly to put on these with the times ranging from the winning 2.17 to top six with a time of 18.4 seconds. great rodeos, and they always welcome new 3.31 seconds for first through sixth place. In the bull riding, Mike Lee, previously members to join or new sponsors. 24 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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The World of Rodeo Photography By Phillip Kitts H Have you ever browsed through social media and come across cool rodeo pictures? Has this ever sparked curiosity? Opening with a disclaimer that not all rodeo media operates the same and some photographers have other goals than media pho- tos. In this case, this description comes from a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association photog- rapher who has a dual focus of providing media sources with us- able images as well as generating revenue based on commercial and retail sales. A good place to start is with the preparation and the equipment. The average rodeo photographer requires more than one camera, and in this case three cameras is the standard. On average a rodeo photographer breaks or damages two to three camera bodies a year. This is just the nature of dodging several 1,000-pound animals in an When the chute latch cracks, the fun part of being a rodeo photographer begins. (Photo courtesy Phillip Kitts, arena surrounded by steel panels. Avid Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography) If that was not enough, then you tographer that is eager to hit the comes. Placing lights is much what athletes will be attending and add numerous lenses of different road. These photographers use more than strapping each strobe what stock they have drawn is just quality and design. The other the winter months to lock rodeos to the fence. Strategic placement the first step. Once you have all factor is often working a rodeo in the southeast where they can is a fine balance between staying of that base information, it is key can require different setups for avoid the cold weather and keep close enough to a power source to research the behaviors of the different images. their schedule full, and as the heat that the light will perform its pur- human and animal athletes. This Working as a professional ro- of summer and spring develops, pose, along with ensuring the light little bit of information can play deo photographer is not a cheap they plan their runs to the north sites will not become a hazard to a key part in capturing those wild adventure. Depending on the where the weather is cooler. the athletes or fans. photos that you see as you scroll photographer, equipment can run No matter where the road takes Along with setting up the arena through your favorite social media from $10,000 all the way up to them it all starts the same. Over there is finding a good location for platform. $30,000 or more. several days there is inventory an office area and hoping the local After three or four days of So, what is it like week to week of gear and prepping equipment. Internet can support the uploading getting ready, the first picture is in the business of rodeo photog- Once the inventory is handled, the of photos. Working in the rodeo finally ready to be taken. How- raphy? Since rodeo tends to ramp packing starts. industry one quickly learns to ever, it will not be a bucking horse up in early spring for most rodeo Finally, it is time to hit the road. always have backup equipment. or timed event athlete. Hours prior photographers most of them use Depending on the assignment, This plays a role in the strategic to the chute gate cracking open for the winter months to plan, sched- with several hours of driving, ar- location of the office area and the first time there are hundreds of ule and promote their availability. rival is one day prior to the first storage of backup gear. photos of sponsors banners, arena There are a few that have been in performance. This time is used Now that setup is done, the geography and community activi- the business for a while that have to assess the arena lights, where research begins. This may come as ties to be photographed. a good series of indoor winter the power sources are and con- a shock to many that taking rodeo Finally, the fun begins, and the rodeos that pay the bills during template where each event will photos is much more than pushing chute latch cracks. The reality is the cold months. Then there is a be photographed. It is about this the camera button. The night prior that this is the fun part of being a whole other breed of rodeo pho- time that the next phase of work to each performance, finding out Continued on page 29 26 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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Continued from page 26 full-time rodeo photographer, but it also becomes the most stressful. Not only does there need to be a ton of focus to keep the camera dialed in and the focus point where it should be, but the stress comes with making sure not to miss a shot. If this is not enough, there is the real danger of bucking horses sprinting around the arena or bucking bulls being on the prowl, plus tons of other risky factors. Once the rodeo has come to an end the real work begins. This is the part that so many in the public never see and many aspiring pho- tographers never realize. Walking out of the arena means straight to the computer and prioritizing work. On average there are several publications that require photos, but before that can even be started the client comes first. Depending With the need to stack events on top of each other, it is quite common the same photographer will have his on the agreement with the event, next event in mere days and sometimes states away. a photographer may be required to load specific images or even possibly all of the photos from the event. So, the balance begins, the rush to get the publications and the event their photos, followed by the quick effort to process labels and sort all of the photos so the photographer can get their own photos up for sale. Depending on the photog- rapher, this process can take anywhere from four to five hours to several days. It is at this point where the hope for good sales begins; however, there are factors to the quality of sales. Things like tough ground in barrel racing that effect performance will reduce the number of sales the photographer gets. This also applies to the rough stock side, if a lot of cowboys ride and the stock performs well, sale numbers will be 60 to 70 percent higher at the average event. Many think there is an inherent glory with being on the road as a rodeo photographer, but many are never Now, you would think the pho- really introduced to the hard work and long hours that go with the career. (Photos courtesy Phillip Kitts, Avid tographer has one focus, and that Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography) is to get the photos processed and road. With the need to stack events So, the balance continues, process inherent glory with being on the released. Unfortunately, this por- on top of each other, it is quite photos, tear down gear, set up road as a rodeo photographer, but tion is often interrupted with the common the same photographer gear, and find time in between to many are never really introduced rush of packing all that same gear will have his next event in mere do research. to the hard work and long hours into its travel place and hitting the days and sometimes states away. Some may think there is an that go with the career. WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 29
When a city goes countrygirl By Annette Bridges I Is your life filled with routines and favor- ites? Do you have that favorite shirt you would wear every day if you could? My hubby does, or I should say he did. That old shirt finally had so many holes in it and was worn so thin I could count the hairs on his chest. It had to finally be retired to the dusting rag basket, or so I thought at the time. Still, my hubby definitely has his two or three go-to shirts with dozens of others that never get touched. I have never understood the inclination to wear the same things every day until this year. I have discovered there is some comfort level in not having to think twice about what to wear each day, especially when you’re living through a season of uncertainty. Although I do have a brand new pair of gor- geous work boots, and who says work boots can’t be pretty? I have had my old trusty green boots for years, and they were not worn out, but I wanted some pretty ones. I do have my beloved, red flannel jacket shirt that gets worn every cool weather day. I adore this shirt. I even keep our house as cool as possible year-round so I can wear my precious red inside as much as possible, too. I also have become a hat gal. Hats are one item I enjoy having a variety of. I am not limited to one style preference. I have trucker caps, bucket hats, visors, knitted winter caps, Annette Bridges has a beloved, red flannel jacket shirt that gets worn every cool weather day. and floppy sun hats. (Photo courtesy Annette Bridges) My “usuals” are not confined to what can be worn. I always drink my morning coffee kind of gal, however. There are ways and times Grabbing a favorite shirt, boots, hat, and coffee out of the same cup. I relish every sip I take when I want to do something that I have never cup takes the guesswork out. Not spending a lot out of my “Live, Love, Moo” coffee mug that done before. Getting out of my comfort zone is of time making decisions about what to wear features the face of my favorite cow, and it exhilarating, and I love the feeling of reaching or what to cook leaves more time for doing all makes me happy. a new goal, honing a new skill and experienc- the things I love to do. I definitely have my favorite meals that ing new sights and sounds. Yes, I think that is the bottom line for me. get prepared most often. I am not sure if it is Lately, I have gained a greater appreciation I am definitely interested in spending time on because I love these foods best or because of for routines and favorites, and I can see their what I love most, wearing what I love most the ease in fixing. I like not having to think value in being good for you. I have read rou- with whom I love most. too hard about what to cook. Spending time tines help ease stress, and can provide an an- What does this mean for my darling hus- in the kitchen is definitely not my favorite chor of predictability that can be reassuring. band? I will never again retire his favorite shirts place to be. For me, I think what I appreciate most about to the dusting rag basket no matter how many I am not always a “same old, same old” mine is not wasting time on indecisiveness. holes they have. 30 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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Hookin W Ranch Laramie Wilson and Katie Perschbacher T The most dominant bulls in the Professional Bull Riders circuit are superstars in their own right. The well-deserved spotlight comes from fans’ admiration for the bull’s agility, ability to spin and forceful bucks despite massive muscularity and size, but what does it take to raise one of these professional athletes? For stock contractors Katie Perschbacher and Laramie Wilson, it takes lead- ing a life that revolves around rodeo, but for them it is nothing new. Rodeo and bulls all but runs in their blood, and together, they are a formidable pair in the world of bucking bulls. Katie Perschbacher Perschbacher is the granddaughter of Denny McCoy, who has bred top bucking bulls since the 1980s and developed some of the best genetics in the industry. A few of the McCoy Ranch bulls include Bells Blue, a PBR Short-Go bull born in 2001, Coyote Ugly and Dixie Chicken. Perschbacher said growing up around the McCoy Ranch, she was just always a bull girl. “My family has always had bulls. The day I was born, my dad had a rodeo. I know nothing else other than that. The photos I have I look at and I’m little but there is this huge Brahman bull, but they just always amazed me with their athletic ability and personalities. I like their personalities, it’s what really draws me to them,” Perschbacher said. “We’ll turn them out and they have a big dirt pile and may have played in it 30 minutes ago, but you put them up in the pen then turn them out and they are going to play in the dirt like they haven’t played in it in two weeks. We are around them every day, so we know if this one doesn’t like you to watch him eat and this one doesn’t care. You learn what they each need.” The stock contractor grew up competing in barrel racing and attended Con- nors State College on a rodeo scholarship, where she graduated with a degree in agricultural communications. Her focus remained on barrel racing until June 2018, when everything changed. She attended a futurity with her grandfather and decided at that moment to make the switch from barrels to bulls. “There are some people who have never even seen a bucking bull. We were in Stephenville last weekend, and they brought in some new people. They were PBR fans, but they had never seen a bull up close. Here I am thinking, ‘Golly, I have to go to feed in the morning,’ and these people were just beside themselves excited. I think you have to step back and remember, ‘Wow, we are really blessed to be able to even do this,’” Perschbacher said. Laramie Wilson While Perschbacher was gaining experience on her grandfather’s ranch, Wilson was getting first-hand knowledge of his own with bucking bulls. Born in west Texas, his family made the move to the Dallas - Fort Worth area from Monahans when Wilson was eight. “We moved because of the rodeo atmosphere. There wasn’t a whole lot going on in west Texas at the time. The only rodeos happening, my parents put on and produced. They found the bulls and everything. They saw it’s what my brother and I wanted to do, so they moved us up here where we could go to one a day if that’s what we wanted,” Wilson recalled. Wilson said he got hurt quite a bit growing up while bull riding, but he would make the most out of his recovery time with trips to the sale barn with his brother. Photo courtesy Bull Stock Media. Continued on page 34 WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 33
Continued from page 33 “We would buy stuff out of the sale barn and buck it, and just piddle with it. It kind of took off from there. We were always buying and trading. If there was a little bull in there we thought would buck, we would buy him, take him home and we would buck him two or three times and either resell him or take him back to the sale barn,” Wilson said. Around the time the American Bucking Bull, Inc., was really getting started, Wilson and his brother began buying a few bucking red cows and grew their business from there. The ABBI owns and manages the largest bucking cattle registry in the world with DNA records of 145,000 animals. The ABBI sanctions competitions around the country with a World Finals event in Las Vegas. It is dedicated to developing and promoting the industry through pedigree preservation and events showcasing the world’s finest bucking bull stock. ABBI created events for the younger bulls to prove themselves and make bigger paydays. Today, the bulls can earn hundreds of thou- sands of dollars; some before they even begin competing in PBR events. Working Together In 2018, Wilson and Perschbacher’s worlds collided when they met at a bucking bull event. Together, they operate Hookin W Ranch, full of world record holding bucking bulls. While Wilson and Perschbacher do own some of the bulls at Hookin W Ranch, there also are bulls they handle for other owners who send bulls to them to haul and train. Investors can also own shares in a bull, from as little as three percent. (Above) Growing up around Since joining forces, they have worked side bulls at her grandfather, by side as Perschbacher was named the 2019 Denny McCoy’s ranch, Katie ABBI Women’s Futurity World Champion; Perschbacher said she was just always a ‘bull girl.’ (Left) Top Dollar, owned by Tom and Peggy/Cour- Katie Perschbacher and tenay DeHoff/Hookin W Ranch, was named Laramie Wilson of Hookin W the ABBI Regular Season Yearling Champion, Ranch. (Courtesy photos) and Woopaa, owned by Larry Barker and handled by Wilson, was the ABBI Classic World Champion. “I know for sure I wouldn’t have won the women’s futurity in 2019 if it weren’t for Lara- mie,” Perschbacher said. “He is very knowl- edgeable, and he did help me. There are little things a new set of eyes sees, and he would see something and suggest doing it another way. It would make a world of difference.” For Laramie, he enjoys having a partner Continued on page 36 34 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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Woopaa enjoys an afternoon at Hookin W Ranch. (Photos by Dani Blackburn) who gets what it takes to raise bucking bulls that use it on the bulls. I think they were try- 30 minutes before sunset. and the daily grind of caring for the perfor- ing to tap into a different market and being “They are still a natural grazing animal, but mance animals. able to say that Woopaa or Top Dollar uses if you have them on a schedule, they do better. “It’s having somebody else that can help the products helps. If you are winning, it’s the Their bodies seem to function better and get you work the cattle and understands we don’t same with anything, they want to know what used to that. If you feed them at 11 a.m. and just whoop and holler and try to make them you are using,” Perschbacher said. 4 p.m. one day and 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. the next go fast,” Wilson explained. “Competitions are It is a busy lifestyle, with their work week day, you’re not going to get along very good. won with the slow work you do here getting starting on Friday morning loading up bulls to We feed them more like a show horse or show them ready, once you get to the event there’s head to the event scheduled for that weekend. steer. They get fed at certain times,” Wilson nothing you can do so you have to take care Typically, the events are in Texas or Okla- explained. of them here and slow them down. It’s great homa, but they travel as far as Vegas each year. The bulls also are fed supplements, with a having somebody who understands that and is The majority of events begin Saturday morning custom feed mixed. The couple takes top care willing to sit out there when it is 105 or 110 and last the duration of the day. They travel of their hay fields. Chiropractors can be found and handle them one more time.” home on Sunday, only to get up on Monday visiting the bulls, and they receive in injections Wilson said Perschbacher’s equine knowl- morning and begin work on whatever needs in their hocks and back hips. edge and techniques used to care for horses improvement from the weekend. “We do treat them a lot like horses in that also has carried over in the care for the bulls, “If there was one we didn’t take because sense in taking care of them. It’s just not your which has helped tremendously. he wasn’t ready or whatever, we’ll get him average vet will come inject a bucking bull, “I had one with a hock swell up and she had ready and start working him. We’ll do that but we have been fortunate enough to have a all kinds of medicine, she went to rubbing his Monday through Thursday, and we go help good vet,” Wilson said. leg down, and it just drew all that swelling out. her grandfather buck calves. Anytime we are For Wilson, keeping the bulls sound and Ever since, if they are a little bit sore, stiff or available, he’s ready to buck them. Just about healthy is one of the more difficult parts of swelled up, she’ll get her stuff and rub on him. every other week we go there and if nothing his job. Me, if Banamine or Dex couldn’t fix it, that was else, we stay here and buck at least every “They don’t know how go slow. They’re not all there was, you know,” Wilson laughed. week,” Wilson said. an athlete that understands, ‘Hey, this is just Their knack for using horse products on Care practice, let’s just go half speed so we don’t their bulls has brought in sponsors looking to The best demands the best care, and that is hurt anything. We are just going to go through tap into different markets. exactly what Wilson and Perschbacher provide it for practice and be safe.’ They give it a 110 “Those who are behind us are more geared the bulls. The performance athletes eat like percent every time they are in the chute, every towards horses. We are some of the only ones kings and are fed 30 minutes after sunrise and time you buck them. They don’t know if you 36 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
are bucking them for a million the rest is history. dollars or just for the fun of it,” “The year 2019 was a slow Wilson said. year, a rebuilding year. My good Woopaa two-year-old got hurt. I didn’t The couple was sitting at the really have any big bulls. I was Finals in 2019 when Wilson trying to just focus on futurity turned to Perschbacher and said, calves, and if it hadn’t been for “Larry Barker had a really good Woopaa we would still be focus- yearling, and I haven’t seen that ing on futurity calves,” Wilson bull.” Perschbacher said she could chuckled. still recall the exact spot they were Woopaa arrived in January sitting in at the South Point Hotel 2020, but there was a catch. Barker when he said it. had not bucked him in 12 months, The thought crossed Wilson’s choosing instead to allow the bull mind as he was considering get- some time to mature. They worked ting an outside bull. He told with the bull for several months Perschbacher he was going to call before he was ready, but the wait Barker and see if he would send was worth it. the bull to them. “When we got Woopaa, he “So, I called him, and he said, wasn’t in bad shape, but you ‘Oh, I’ve been thinking about could tell he hadn’t been bucked sending him to somebody, but I in a year. So we were a little bit didn’t know who to send him to. behind the curve. I felt like about Would you take him?’” Wilson the time we got him going and recalled. everything, Covid-19 hit. They The answer was obvious, and Top Dollar enjoys a scratch under the neck from Katie. Continued on page 38 WWW.NTFRONLINE.COM AUGUST 2021 | 37
Continued from page 37 started canceling events so we de- cided, ‘Hey, we are going to have to focus on him and we are going to go where we can with him, and that’s just what we’ve got to do,’” Wilson said. When Woopaa seized the ABBI title, he also was named the 2020 ABBI World Finals Classic Champion when he met up with bull rider Jose Vitor Leme during the PBR World Finals. Leme hung on, earning a score of 95.75 and the championship, while Woopaa clenched a bull score of 46.75 and the title. The bull turned five in March 2021; with high hopes he will be a contender in this year’s title race for the YETI World Champion Bull after snagging the ABBI title last year. It is no surprise Woopaa loves to buck and go on the road. “We handle them every day and they go every weekend,” Per- schbacher said. “We could back the trailer up and open the gate and Woopaa, wherever he is at, him and Top Dollar will go to the trailer. When people say we make them buck, we don’t do that. These bulls enjoy it. They like to go. We went to a futurity last year and we One of the couple’s roan bulls shows off his bucking skills. (Photo courtesy QuickSand Photography) didn’t take Woopaa and he was right there where we loaded, run- like man, that one sure looks the there is to say about it.” at Top Dollar’s videos as a re- ning and bucking and bellowing. part and he acts right. He kind of Fortunately, that fourth time minder to give the bulls more than He wanted to go. I felt bad, but he watches you and all of that, but was Top Dollar’s moment to a few chances to prove themselves. wasn’t going to do anything that when you start bucking him the shine, and Wilson’s suspicion that He explained there are some bulls weekend so I told him he would first two or three times, he may be he had his eye on the right one was who give it all their first time and have to stay home that week. They the sorriest calf in the bunch. You proven correct. can’t do it any better. Then there like it, they enjoy it.” wonder what you were thinking “The fourth time we bucked are a few who don’t do so great the Top Dollar and if you even know what you’re him, and it was probably his last first time out of the chute, but it all Wilson’s favorite part of rais- looking at,” Wilson said. “Top chance to be honest because he comes together later on. ing bucking bulls is seeing the Dollar, I can go back and look at hadn’t been very good, he tried Top Dollar proved himself in moment it all clicks. pics of him when he was three or to do it but just wasn’t good at a tough year of Covid-19 cancel- “I like seeing the calves put it four months old. He was just a lit- bucking, it finally flipped. You’re lations as he was named the best all together when they start finally tle specimen, but he always looked like, ‘Wow. Where did that come yearling bull in the world for reaching their potential,” Wilson the part. We handled him and he from?’ I bucked him two or three 2020 and chances are high he will said. was always a little crazy and wild, days later to make sure it wasn’t a remain ranked among the top bulls For their other best bull, Top but not too bad. The first time we fluke, and he bucked even harder. in the world. Dollar, that moment took a bit bucked him he almost stopped I turned him out for a few weeks, What’s Next? longer than normal. and the second and third weren’t got him back up and that sixth trip, The bulls develop their own “We have 30 head of calves, a whole lot better. If I hadn’t liked it was unbelievable. It may be one fan base, with loyal followers and I don’t want to say you pick him so much, I might have sent of the best ones he’s had,” Wilson who are excited to see the bulls your favorite, but you always him to the sale barn. He was just recalled. perform. Wilson said fans might have your eye on one that you’re sorry the first three times, that’s all Wilson periodically looks back not know who Laramie and Katie 38 | AUGUST 2021 NTFR
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