Saturday, September 20, 1997

23rd annual Youngblood Ranch Hereford sale is Oct. 14

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

It's cattle sale time of the year. And here's one you don't want to forget.

The 23rd annual Youngblood Ranch Hereford Production Sale is 12:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Lamesa ranch.

An 11:30 a.m. lunch will precede the sale. Stanley Stout of Linwood, Kan., will auctioneer.

The ranch headquarters is 17 miles west of Gail on U.S. Highway 180.

The Youngbloods will be selling 76 big, 2-year-old bulls.

Arlan Youngblood has devoted his life to raising great Hereford cattle. He told me that he can't remember ever wanting to do anything else.

"It's been 60 years since my dad, Alton, brought the first registered cows home to begin Youngblood Registered Herefords. I can remember how excited I was to hear that Daddy had bought 'registered' cows," Arlan recalled. "I expected to go to the cow lot and see something 'fancy' about those cows. I guess I thought there would be papers tied around their necks."

There was nothing fancy. Just good, solid cows that proved to be a good foundation to build a registered Hereford herd.

Arlan grew up and married Avis. Then Kent and Kelli came along, and the little kids were "right in the middle of everything."

They, themselves, grew up and added Tommy and Sharon to the family. After a few more years, great-grandaughters Kati and Ky were helping work the cows.

In 60 years, Youngblood Ranch has seen strong cattle prices as well as prices in the cellar. The Youngbloods have seen years of plentiful rain and others of extreme drought.

The registered Hereford operation has survived through it all.

"We've seen fads come and go in the cattle industry almost as fast as they've come and gone in women's fashions," Arlan noted. "Our cattle also have changed through the years, but they've never lacked for quality and rugged durability."

The consistent goal of the Youngblood Ranch has been to raise the best beef cattle that they can.

You can see that on Oct. 14. For more, call Arlan at (806) 497-6412; Kent, (806) 497-6414; or Tommy, (806) 497-6423.

Michael Palmer of Clyde is new ag agent

Michael Palmer of Clyde has been named assistant county ag agent for the Wilson County Extension Service.

Wilson County is southeast of San Antonio.

"We are extremely pleased to have a person of Michael's caliber and background in Wilson County," said Darrell Dromgoole, district extension director.

A native of Clyde and a 1993 graduate of Clyde High School, Michael holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture services and development from Tarleton State University.

Michael is the son of Charlie and Nancy Palmer of Clyde.

The new ag agent has an outstanding record in 4-H and FFA, as well as collegiate activities.

Anson FFA did it up big

This farm writer is pleased to report that Anson FFA's celebration of its 50th anniversary the past Tuesday night was an overwhelming success.

"We had expected a pretty good crowd," said Charlie Black, Anson High agriscience teacher. "But we never expected anything that big."

Black and Donnie Kiker, fellow Anson High agriscience teacher, figured the celebration would go from 6:30 p.m. until "about 8 o'clock or so."

Wrong.

"We cooked more than 400 hamburgers and former students and teachers were still visiting after 10 p.m.," Black noted. "It was really something."

Congratulations to Anson FFA.