We spent a little time this morning absorbing some of the wild west flavor--took a trolley tour of Dodge and environs. Funny how the reality is so much like the old western movies.
Not so wonderful was seeing the cattle feedlots. This is how we get our meat, and it ain't pretty. The area is pretty much under the control of ADM, Cargill, and National Beef. These agri-giants have the community by the throat. Most of the crops grown here (corn and alfalfa) are used to feed the cows in the feedlots. Beef is moved into the feedlot when they reach about 600 pounds. Over the next few months they are fed aggressively with a mixture of corn and other stuff that will pretty much double their weight. Then they are "processed" at the large National Beef slaughterhouse. Over 20,000 head are processed every day. Sorry, but most of you have heard my agribusiness rant before. Moving on...
To Colorado, as a matter of fact. Spending the night in Pueblo. The amazing moment for me today was when I saw the mountains on the horizon. Mountain driving is coming soon. I hope Silky is up to it!
Final coincidence...when we checked into the hotel, I, in my Dulcimer Shop tee shirt, the desk clerk, Jason, told us that he was a dulcimer player too, and came from the same Ozark area!
Not so wonderful was seeing the cattle feedlots. This is how we get our meat, and it ain't pretty. The area is pretty much under the control of ADM, Cargill, and National Beef. These agri-giants have the community by the throat. Most of the crops grown here (corn and alfalfa) are used to feed the cows in the feedlots. Beef is moved into the feedlot when they reach about 600 pounds. Over the next few months they are fed aggressively with a mixture of corn and other stuff that will pretty much double their weight. Then they are "processed" at the large National Beef slaughterhouse. Over 20,000 head are processed every day. Sorry, but most of you have heard my agribusiness rant before. Moving on...
To Colorado, as a matter of fact. Spending the night in Pueblo. The amazing moment for me today was when I saw the mountains on the horizon. Mountain driving is coming soon. I hope Silky is up to it!
Final coincidence...when we checked into the hotel, I, in my Dulcimer Shop tee shirt, the desk clerk, Jason, told us that he was a dulcimer player too, and came from the same Ozark area!
This is the only picture I took of Dodge City? Pathetic! Guess this one's for you, Ed Bray.