By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

A couple of Saturdays ago we sold a couple steers to a friend. These are some red and white faced (RWF) steers that we did not sell at the sales barn. The calves we took were all black or black/white face (BWF). When the calves are in the sales ring, the buyers want numbers and consistency. They would have sorted the red calves out, sold them separately and most likely for a lower price. Why does this happen, you ask? Marketing is the answer.

Certified Angus Beef has done such a good job with marketing the last 30-40 years that the black calves sell for more than the reds. I remember over 30 years ago my first year of college in Crookston the instructor taught us that. He told us that you can have two identical steers, weight, age, size, etc., and the black will always bring more than the reds. I will touch more on the marketing aspect in next week’s paper.  

Now, back to the two steers we were taking to a friend’s house. They already had a few other feeder steers and they wanted a couple more. We had talked about a price and I said I would deliver them on Saturday. Dad and I weighed and loaded up the three RWF steers we had left, locked in the trailer ready to go.

The two smaller steers weighed 705 and 707 while the big guy weighed 858-pounds. I decided that we would keep the big guy to fatten and sell for ourselves. This meant that I had to go in the trailer and get the big one out. It took a little wrangling and I got him out the back door of the trailer. Out the door I went and down the road with trailer in tow. I had tried calling the customer to ask about the weight of the calves and he did not answer. I was on my way by the Frazee Golf Course on 87 and he called. He asked if I was on my way and I said I was. He told me that his daughter had called him and asked if I drove a red pickup and he said I did. She told him that the back trailer door was open and she could see two heads looking out the back of the trailer. 

HOLY CRIKEY! 

I knew exactly what he was talking about! I hit binders and pulled over, running my fat arse to the rear of the trailer. The door was wide open and two curious steers were almost daring one another to jump out. I closed the door, latched it and breathed a sigh of relief.  

How in the Wide Wide World of Sports could this have happened you ask?  

Once we had to unload the single steer, it changed the normal loading process and we simply forgot to latch the door. The door that opened was a sliding door and when I turned left, it slid open to the right. Had I made left hand turns, it maybe would have stayed closed. So, there you go, that is my pucker factor for Saturday, Feb. 4.  

Friday, Feb. 10

8:45 p.m. Report of a possible gunshot in the area of Balsam Ave. Officer did not find anything suspicious in the area.

Saturday, Feb. 11

9:29 p.m. Officer found an adult female walking down the middle of W. Main Ave. Officer saw the same female walking in the road several times. Gave direction to walk on the sidewalk.

Sunday, Feb. 12

2:10 p.m. Report of two dogs loose at 512 Balsam.  

5:36 p.m. Child custody questions.

Monday, Feb. 13

2:48 p.m. More child custody issues. Officer told male and female that they needed to get things figured out with their divorce and child custody.

11:34 p.m. Vehicle unlock on W Maple Ave.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

12:56 p.m. Female reporting that two of her vehicle tires were flat yesterday and another vehicle had flat tires a few weeks ago. No damage noted. Female thought a relative may be to blame but would not give any more information.

10:07 p.m. Welfare check on adult female.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

9:50 a.m. Vehicle on N. Lake St parked in the parking area but was two feet over the white line into the driving lane. Driver was located and vehicle was moved.

12:13 p.m. Resident upset about their neighbor moving snow onto their property. Officer talked with snow mover to put the snow somewhere else.

4:57 p.m. Loose dog reported on 2nd St SW.

Thursday, Feb. 16

10:08 a.m. Report of possible vulnerable adult abuse. Officer talked with all involved and the situation should be taken care of.