In the case of ranchers who also happen to be grain farmers, we’re seeing some sporting new John Deere caps that cost $250,000 each! Actually, the cap was free but that’s what the used tractor they bought cost.
No. 9. Jewelry: Don’t be silly, it’s not for the wife – it’s for the horse, of course. They might even buy a new fake diamond choker … for the dog.
Cattlemen are doing what they’ve always done when times are flush: They’re buying silver spurs and silver-studded horse jewelry.
As for the wife? Some are actually wearing their wedding rings again because their husband was finally able to get it out of hock at the pawn shop.
No. 8. New team-roping horse: Tired of being laughed at when they go to neighbors’ brandings or local jackpots, one of the first things that a flush rancher will do is buy a $10,000 team-roping horse.
But for some strange reason they don’t do any better than they were doing before, which leads to the next sign of prosperity ...
No. 7. A new team-roping partner: No more roping with one of their kids or their wife – if you have a high-powered horse you need a high-powered partner.
But for some strange reason they don’t do any better than they were doing before.
No. 6. Fresh wire: Sun reflecting off of brand-new barbed wire and fresh scabs and scars on ranchers’ arms is a sure sign of better times.
Notice I didn’t say that it was being hung on new T-post or new-old railroad ties. Let’s not get too carried away!
No. 5. Elective surgery: Times are so good we’re seeing ranch wives have more elective surgeries. Not face lifts and boob jobs, mind you, but a new disc in the wife’s back damaged from bucking hay bales or a new knee or two. And a hip here and there.
No. 4. New squeeze chute: At a cattleman’s trade show recently I witnessed an event I thought I’d never live to see: A rancher actually bought a new squeeze chute!
I thought the salesman was going to have a coronary event and I hear he’s up for a big promotion! Some ranchers are simply tired of getting conked in the head by an iron bar or run over by a crazy cow.
But if you happen to see a cattleman with a new hydraulic chute, it means he’s either hit the lottery or got a new banker who doesn’t know anything about the cow business or his track record at the bank.
No. 3. New bulls: Ranchers, who 10 years ago wouldn’t give $1,200 for a range bull, are now paying $4,000 to $5,000!
The $350 gummers and bad baggers that compose their cowherd didn’t merit much when calves were worth $400 but, now that those same old wenches are $2,000 brood cows and herd matrons, well, you can’t just breed them to any old bull, now can you?
No. 2. New household appliances: When I was in Sears the other day, a salesman told me ranchers are buying new appliances for their wives, such as stoves you don’t have to chop wood for, vacuums you have to plug in, washing machines that have no hand wringers and chainsaws to make her life easier!
He even told me of one cattleman who bought something called a “Wolf Range,” which sounded to me like New Mexico, Idaho or Wyoming after the feds turned the devils loose.
No. 1. New pickups: When I started in this business 40 years ago it took the sale of 50 calves to buy a new pickup.
Now let’s see, 50 calves at $800 to $1,000 equals $40,000 to $50,000. Darned if that isn’t what a brand-new pickup costs today!
Oh well, cowboys never could stand too much prosperity.
