Albin News Readers,
This summer, I was dreaming of the day that old man winter would put an end to the crop year and writing the Albin News would be much more relaxed affair. Then there was weaning, harvest, and hunting followed by thanksgiving and moving cows to corn stalks. Of course Megan and I had our first child the last day of August and then there was one more late season dear hunt, several ag meetings, family visits, financial planning and the ongoing task of crop marketing. In short, carving out some time to write a little news each week has been a struggle for me. I only say this because I was hoping a few of you would take the time to send a little news my way sometime. Sunday nights or Monday mornings are the ideal times to call or email and whatever news you is always welcome. Birth announcements, weddings, family news, congratulations, thank yous, events, human interest stories, garden tips, school news, funerals of course, and historical bits are all things that belong in the Albin News. And no, I don't get paid any more if the column is longer. (If I was I suppose I could start bribing some news out of people). The point is, I think this column would be much better if it had a little more community news and I sure could use the help. OK that's all, now for the news.
The class for those looking to become basic EMTs is now open for registration. Classes will be held two nights a week (Mondays and Thursdays) for four hours at the old high school in Pine Bluffs. There will also be six eight hour Saturday classes. Classes start the first full week in January and the final exam is the ninth of May. You are allowed to miss a total of 3 classes. Workload will also include some reading, worksheets, and quizzes on material covered in class. The following is a message from Cindy Osbourne to those considering the class:
“This course is very challenging. It can lead to a rewarding career where you have the ability to change a person's life. If you are unable to commit the time and effort to be successful, I ask that you please reconsider. If you are ready to embark on the journey to becoming an EMT, welcome.
If you have any questions that we can answer, please do not hesitate to call. I can be reached at 307-421-5230.”
I would also encourage people to take a minute and consider this class. The single largest factor affecting a person's ability to recover after an accident is how fast that person receives medical attention. We all know that in recent months there have been three very serious accidents in the Albin area and that accidents will continue to happen. Knowing also that Albin is a remote community, there is no question that having a local EMT staff is vital to our community.
The only way to maintain this EMT staff is to keep training new people to share the responsibility of it. It would be nice if we had enough people that the staff could take turns being on call so that there would be an EMT or two on call in the Albin area at all times. If nothing else, think of it this way: it's a good opportunity to practice those christian values of putting others first!
For a copy of the registration form, you can contact Cindy at the number given above or myself at the contact information listed at the bottom of this article.
Also, don't forget the benefit potluck/barbeque and auction for Garrett Ross that will be held next Sunday, December 12th at noon in the Rendevous Center in Torrington. People attending from the Albin area have been asked to bring a salad for the potluck.
This is latest from Dixie on Tim's condition:
“We really enjoyed the pool this week and plan to have another day this week. He is moving his left hand/arm more and more--this will help with balance when he will be standing and walking with a walker, and we pray and believe that will be very soon! He has really enjoyed the NFR rodeo and has made quite a few comments. He really enjoys all the telephone calls (I'm sure he is calling some of you a little too often?), cards, visits, messages, etc. He received an encouragement call from Joni Eareckson Tada on Friday! He went to a basketball game to watch his little sister play on Saturday morning and then sat in the vehicle parked by our working chute in our big building and worked cattle for about three hours. While he still needs help walking, he is now lifting his left knee/thigh and heel--and then we hold his ankle and move his toes!! Praise the Lord!!! Continue to pray for his physical needs--left side to be restored and healed back to full working status and continual healing of the nerve endings (brain) as they reconnect and redirect. His emotional needs---to not get discouraged, but continue to persevere and Press On! (Press On, a song by the group -Selah-, has been my sister, Shena's, theme song in her battle and journey). Tim prays for Shena every night and we ask for everyone to pray for her--we believe in miracles and His faithfulness. We are thankful for every day of Life--Tim usually opens his prayers with thanking God another day! My birthday is a week away so pray for Tim's ankle to be strong enough for him to take a few steps by himself hopefully, prayerfully, and miraculously by next Sunday!!--but if not, then His grace will carry us through to the next goal date! Have a Blessed week as we truly look and see the real meaning of Christmas—JESUS!“
Here is the latest on Garrett from Cindi:
“Garrett is great and we still go outside to enjoy the nice weather. Craig has put up their Christmas lights and he (actually me) enjoy looking at them.
Family mtg Tues went well, I guess. Nothing earth shattering, just everyone going around the room reporting what they were working on. I asked about a discharge date and Ripley stated Feb 16. Three months is about the average stay here. One thing they look at is, of course, insurance -- money plus Craig has to write weekly reports to insurance so they (ins) can justify paying them. Family training and medical necessity or G's progress also plays into account our length of stay. We should have another mtg in about 4 wks.
Tues also he started eating a pureed breakfast and dinner. I juiced him for supper then he only had his feeding tube on for 10 hrs at night. They will watch his weight and calories to make sure that everything is A-O-K. Fri he went to dysphagio mechanical 3 times a day. Being the nutrition expert, it should take you :20 or longer to eat your meal. No problem with G -- how about sitting at the table for about an hour! I have so much juicing food in my refrigerator that I may have to give him some 'little snacks' to get it used up. Did I not tell you that all of G's practicing would pay off?
Wed was a busy day! He saw a vision doctor. I was told all these things they were going to look at so I'm expecting this BIG machine but no. It was just a man, sitting, looking/observing then examining - at one point I saw the good doc sit with his eyes closed, sure hope he was thinking and not sleeping! Anyway, they sure were using some awfully long words that I had no idea what they meant. Was trying to write them down so I could have OT explain them to me more but by the time I could pro-nun-ci-ate them down on paper, I was 10 words behind. (Ever feel like the 'stupid' one?) One BIG thing is the third eye pulsy in the R eye. There IS connection. That I figured because the eye is cracking more and more everyday. Can't remember if I told you and can't tell you the linguistics of it but it opens the eye lid, controls eye dilation and muscles to the eye (whether the eye is looking straight, up/down or side to side). He has a recheck in 2 wks. L eye has some atrophy - he will look straight or look in but looking out he rarely does. Until then LOTS of eye exercises.
He also had a MRI scheduled but was unsuccessful because he kept rubbing his face. They asked me if G followed directions and I said 'sure, after a minute of processing the info'. People are so silly sometimes. Anyway will have to reschedule but this time with an IV drip.
He also received another long arm cast. If you look at the photos it looks pretty straight but it is not fully extended. This next Wed I hope is our last cast. :)
We have started to utilize the recreation center. We went to the movie Fri and Sat. Sat he/we/ME made a holiday T-shirt with a snowman. Tomorrow we do a tie-dye shirt - should prove very interesting.
What to pray for #1 he will hold my hand and we can walk around the block admiring the Christmas decorations #2 talk - Speech is working with him mouthing the words. It is fun a meal time -- 'G, you want - put your teeth together - for spaghetti or - open your mouth - for carrots?' If he mouths nothing, he gets carrots. #3 L side movement - during PT one day these two guys were up walking with assistance and I was showing G. Seemed like he was trying a little harder that day. Motivation! #4 progress - so we can utilize everything that Craig has to offer. But, you know, that just doesn't matter because God is everywhere! #5 Christmas focus - may we all stop for a minute or two and admire the lights. Can you tell that I LOVE lights! And while we are admiring the lights, let's focus on the birth of Jesus and all that God has done/given/provided us.
Healing Tree Ministries donated 15 foot and a half trees and G was one of the lucky ones to receive one. There are candy canes on it or at least till his dad comes up and verses -- John 10:10 Psalm 30:2, 41:3, 103:2-3, 107:19-20, 119:50 Romans 8:2, 10:17 Proverbs 3:7-8 Matthew 7:7-8”
Family mtg Tues went well, I guess. Nothing earth shattering, just everyone going around the room reporting what they were working on. I asked about a discharge date and Ripley stated Feb 16. Three months is about the average stay here. One thing they look at is, of course, insurance -- money plus Craig has to write weekly reports to insurance so they (ins) can justify paying them. Family training and medical necessity or G's progress also plays into account our length of stay. We should have another mtg in about 4 wks.
Tues also he started eating a pureed breakfast and dinner. I juiced him for supper then he only had his feeding tube on for 10 hrs at night. They will watch his weight and calories to make sure that everything is A-O-K. Fri he went to dysphagio mechanical 3 times a day. Being the nutrition expert, it should take you :20 or longer to eat your meal. No problem with G -- how about sitting at the table for about an hour! I have so much juicing food in my refrigerator that I may have to give him some 'little snacks' to get it used up. Did I not tell you that all of G's practicing would pay off?
Wed was a busy day! He saw a vision doctor. I was told all these things they were going to look at so I'm expecting this BIG machine but no. It was just a man, sitting, looking/observing then examining - at one point I saw the good doc sit with his eyes closed, sure hope he was thinking and not sleeping! Anyway, they sure were using some awfully long words that I had no idea what they meant. Was trying to write them down so I could have OT explain them to me more but by the time I could pro-nun-ci-ate them down on paper, I was 10 words behind. (Ever feel like the 'stupid' one?) One BIG thing is the third eye pulsy in the R eye. There IS connection. That I figured because the eye is cracking more and more everyday. Can't remember if I told you and can't tell you the linguistics of it but it opens the eye lid, controls eye dilation and muscles to the eye (whether the eye is looking straight, up/down or side to side). He has a recheck in 2 wks. L eye has some atrophy - he will look straight or look in but looking out he rarely does. Until then LOTS of eye exercises.
He also had a MRI scheduled but was unsuccessful because he kept rubbing his face. They asked me if G followed directions and I said 'sure, after a minute of processing the info'. People are so silly sometimes. Anyway will have to reschedule but this time with an IV drip.
He also received another long arm cast. If you look at the photos it looks pretty straight but it is not fully extended. This next Wed I hope is our last cast. :)
We have started to utilize the recreation center. We went to the movie Fri and Sat. Sat he/we/ME made a holiday T-shirt with a snowman. Tomorrow we do a tie-dye shirt - should prove very interesting.
What to pray for #1 he will hold my hand and we can walk around the block admiring the Christmas decorations #2 talk - Speech is working with him mouthing the words. It is fun a meal time -- 'G, you want - put your teeth together - for spaghetti or - open your mouth - for carrots?' If he mouths nothing, he gets carrots. #3 L side movement - during PT one day these two guys were up walking with assistance and I was showing G. Seemed like he was trying a little harder that day. Motivation! #4 progress - so we can utilize everything that Craig has to offer. But, you know, that just doesn't matter because God is everywhere! #5 Christmas focus - may we all stop for a minute or two and admire the lights. Can you tell that I LOVE lights! And while we are admiring the lights, let's focus on the birth of Jesus and all that God has done/given/provided us.
Healing Tree Ministries donated 15 foot and a half trees and G was one of the lucky ones to receive one. There are candy canes on it or at least till his dad comes up and verses -- John 10:10 Psalm 30:2, 41:3, 103:2-3, 107:19-20, 119:50 Romans 8:2, 10:17 Proverbs 3:7-8 Matthew 7:7-8”
In ag news, this will be another pivotal marketing week for Albin area farmers who are trying to decide what spring crops to plant next year. Sunflower and pinto bean processors are slow to come out with any grower contracts for next year and the corn and wheat markets continue to offer higher prices and profitable opportunities.
The next crop production and WASDE reports are due out Friday morning and will include estimates of 2010 corn production as well as tally current stocks of corn and wheat. Already several independent consulting companies are hinting at bullish news again. Wheat sales have been higher than expected because Australia's wheat crop has been reduced by excessive rain and flooding. There have also been some questions about the condition of the US and Russia wheat crop after our dry fall. It will be interesting to see how many winter wheat acres get reported on the January 12th Winter Wheat Seedings report and if it's enough to convince the market that we'll have enough wheat to feed the world next year.
The price of corn has been supported by expectation that the US will have the lowest carryover since 1995-96. This was projected in the November 9, 2010 World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) which forecasted an 827 million bushel carryover. This may sound like a lot of corn but it's only 6.6% of the 2010 crop and 6.2% the year's of usage. If a guy put 10,000 bu of corn in a bin to fatten up some cows and ended the year with only 620 bu in the bin, it would seem like a pretty small pile of corn left.
There has been no news yet on whether or not the VEETC or blender's credit will be extended.
Area ranchers have also been given some good opportunities to market cattle at higher than normal prices. At this time of year, many of last year's calves are being fed a “finishing ration” or a high energy diet that will bring the calves to a finish weight of around 1,200 lbs. Once they reach this point, they will be sold as “fat cattle” or “live cattle” to a beef processor.
Currently, the December price of fat cattle is around $1.02/lb which is the highest December price in seven years. This is a little unexpected since the unemployment rate was up to 9.8% in November and the per capita meat consumption for 2010 is the lowest since 1997. Forecasts for 2011 per capita beef consumption are at 57.8 lbs, the lowest since 1952.
The price only makes sense because we currently have really low beef supplies. The current US cattle herd is the smallest since 1959 and frozen beef stocks at the end of October were 6% lower than last year at the same time.
The remainder of this year's calves that aren't put on a finishing ration (usually the younger, smaller ones) are being fed a “maintenance ration” that will get them through until the grass greens up next spring. This may mean they spend the winter on native pastures and are only fed a little supplement out on the open range. It could also mean they are kept in a feed lot and fed a high roughage diet. These calves are called “yearlings” and will graze on grass next spring and summer and then be put on a finishing ration sometime next summer or fall.
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