Since my last column, I have attended two different events of note. The first was the annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station on August 5^th and 6^th. Then on the 9^th and 10^th, we sponsored and attended the 75^thAnniversary Celebration of the International Brangus Breeders Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

            For me it is always great to see friends and customers. And both events were fantastic in that respect. But for the latter, it was a unique time to catch up with old friends. Many of which I hadn’t seen in over 30 years. Guys like Ray Record, of the old Granada days and other guys like RL Robbs of Wilcox, Arizona. In addition to raising Brangus, RL used to run a custom harvesting operation. He too, like me, is from the Texas Panhandle. He is from Plainview, whereas I was born in Tulia.

            Then there is our good friend John McKnight from Searcy Arkansas. For many years, John served as a consultant on many Brangus sales. He traveled the road extensively. In addition to having a keen eye for cattle, John was perhaps best known for his knowledge of restaurants and cafes across the country. There were very few towns through Texas, the Southeast and many mid-western states that John didn’t know where the best place to get a meal was!

            I could go on and on. Many of those I have known for 40 years. Some I continue to work with. Others I may never have the chance to see again. The Brangus breed will celebrate 100 years in 2049. If I make it that far, I’ll be 89.

            Dang. Where did the time go!