Well, I’m finally here for an exciting week at the 2009 Cattle Industry Summer Convention. I’m writing to you from the News Room at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Denver. I’ve ditched the rainy plains of South Dakota for a much more summery mountain climate of Colorado. Before the week kicks off, I thought I would give an agricultural update about my home state.

While I’ve been gone, my mom reported to me that we received another 1.5 inches of rain last night. Now, for Texans, I know that must sound like heavenly music. However, since May 31, we have had over 17 inches of rain, and a lot of hail, too. Average rain fall for an entire YEAR in South Dakota is 20 inches, and we have had over six inches in the last week! Of course, I hate to complain, our grass is thicker and taller than ever. We need more pairs to run on the pastures this year! However, our oats have flooded out and haying has been nearly impossible. Last night, my grandpa’s pastures were hit with grapefruit-size hail, killing livestock, deer and pheasants during the storm. It’s certainly been an interesting “summer,” to say the least. I can honestly say this is one of the first summers to my recollection where we aren’t praying for rain at this time of year.

So, how about all of you? How is the weather at home? How are the crops and livestock doing this summer? Are you overcoming Mother Nature’s challenges, whether it be drought or flood? I want to hear from you.

Oh, and be sure to tune in tonight as I will be reporting updates on Cattlemen’s Beef Board activities. Check out more blog entries at the Beef Board Meeting Blog.

Signing off from my Denver vacation from the rainy plains!

Amanda