A day in the life of Sackmann Cattle Company.

The pictures, stories, and crazy times in our world.







March 30, 2012

March Madness . . . .

. . . SCC style.

There's a basketball tournament?!? -
OK I admit to not being a huge basketball fan, but Jeff enjoys watching a good ball game. Somehow we've managed to log about 5 minutes, maybe, total of NCAA tourney b-ball. We've been keeping busy, promise.


I started March off with a trip to the National Pork Forum in Denver. I was one of Washington's delegates to the Pork Board (Pork Check-Off) meetings. As always it is refreshing to be with so many people who have such a passion for feeding the world, pork in this case. Getting away from home and the daily activities is a great reminder of why we do what we do every day. I know I'm a dork, but I found myself getting ch
oked-up listening to the star spangled banner (awesome rendition!) with flag waving overlaid with pictures of pigs, farms, and families from across the country. I told one of my other farm friends about this and she said "I know, and it never used to happen." Apparently becoming moms makes us silly girls more emotional!

Farmers seem to like to eat. As expected we had great food with a focus on pork. Had to try these and sent a picture home for everyone to wonder.

I admit they were not the best thing I'd ever eaten, but fun none-the-less.

Jeff also took a quick trip to Montana to buy a 1/3 of a bull. He's a 77P grandson from Mytty's owned with Camas Prairie Angus Ranch & Crouthamel Cattle Co. I asked Jeff if Bob & Cory knew I thought we should own the middle 1/3. You know the business part and no need to feed or clean up! Jeff tried to ignore me and said they would likely just look at me like I was crazy.

The Red, White & Black catalog went to print right before I left for Denver. So home from Denver meant sale time. We are so completely blessed to be able to sell bulls with JR Ranch & the Schmidt family. With the sale in Othello there are many, many pre-sale details that are handled without our knowledge.

We've added some home-done video to our marketing efforts. Jeff, Jeff, Pam & Jessie took video and we got it edited to make quick footage of our top bulls.

Semen check, clipping, re-tagging, supplement sheets, updating digital records, and boom it's sale day!


We were very pleased with how bulls sold. A huge THANKS to all the buyers & bidders in Othello on St. Patrick's Day!! As always sale day is a great opportunity to see people, but as a consignor - not a good chance to visit! (That's why I go to other people's sales; Jeff goes primarily to see the cattle!)

We haven't finished collecting pictures from sale day, but this was one of my favorites so far. These guys all went to WSU together. Some roommate, judging team, and Cougar Cattle Feeders time logged in good 'ole Pullman. I think the last time all three were together was at our wedding. All three are now directly involved in the cattle business; all with a little different angle but definitely knee deep in it.

Jeff & Ian have 5 kids and over 20 years of life with the same gal between the two of them. (Dang that makes us sound OLD - guess we'll forgive a few gray hairs & wrinkles; just the guys not us, right Lindsay!?!). Congratulations to Cory who is about to join the rank of married guy!


The weekend after the sale Jeff, Molly & I headed to Ojo Caliente, New Mexico for my brother's wedding.

Congratulations to Chris & Kelly.
They had a lovely ceremony complete with absolutely gorgeous weather! Molly and Elsa were so excited to play together for the weekend and spent almost 4 hours in the pool! Good thing a whole herd of adults took turns with them - just not me - I enjoyed the hot springs & a hammock with the kindle app instead.

Thanks to Aunt Teresa who kept Trev & Lila for the weekend. Jeff & Lexi came over to help and get some parent training. Of course, being three year old's the twins provided plenty of comic relief.

After our quick trip to New Mexico there was fall pair working day. Calves got re-tagged, branded, and tattooed. The cows got to meet Dr. Carpenter, or at least her arm. Preg-check went well and Jeff was pleased with his AI & Embryo conception rate. Trev & Lila were great helpers, especially since it wasn't that nice of a day. Coloring in the trailer out of the rain & big wind lasted almost an hour!

And there have been three litters of pigs, sick days home from school, taxes sent in, some bulls delivered, MOPS, market hogs shipped, announcement of LOTS of family babies to come, Dr. appointments, a stack of Box Tops & Labels for Education to be counted, and I don't even remember what else in our own little version of March Madness.

Oh and did I mention the ditch outside our house is full of water!

Bring on spring & farming season.